Dear Neighbor,
TODAY is the opening day of Michigan’s 2024 firearm deer hunting season! The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources has created a page to help hunters have a successful season — find licenses, regulations, maps, and more here.
Recognizing the significance and tradition of hunting here in Michigan, my colleagues and I have been working to reduce red tape for hunters and restore our game species while also protecting Michigan’s many outdoor spaces, which offer ample opportunities for residents to explore, unwind, and enjoy nature.
Living in Michigan, with its abundance of natural beauty and resources, is a privilege. My colleagues and I understand the importance of protecting our game species for ourselves and future generations. I hope you find the information in this newsletter helpful, and as always, have a safe and successful hunting and fishing season.
If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me by sending an email to SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or by calling (517) 373-6960.
In Service,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21
- Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources has created a page to help hunters have a successful season — find licenses, regulations, maps, and more here.
- Living in Michigan, with its abundance of natural beauty and resources, is a privilege. Senate Democrats understand the importance of protecting our game species for ourselves and future generations. Read more about what’s being done to support Michigan hunters here!
Important Dates to Remember for Hunting
There is an open hunting season at all times on public and private land from Aug. 1 through March 31 every year. Hunters could be encountered in the woods on public lands during these months.
Note/Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter does not list every change to licenses, rules, regulations, or other laws related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. To be sure you are in compliance, visit Michigan.gov/DNR and check the various guides and digests published by DNR staff.
Fishing License Information
Michigan isn’t known as the Great Lakes State for nothing. Our unique access to four of the five Great Lakes — as well as our countless inland lakes — provide Michiganders with endless possibilities for fishing throughout the year. In order to fish in Michigan waters legally, you must hold a valid fishing license. To apply for a license, you must be 17 years of age or older (children under age 17 may fish without a license but are required to observe all rules and regulations).
Your license will be valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the next year. Always be prepared to show your license to a Michigan Conservation Officer, Tribal Conservation Officer, or any law enforcement officer upon demand. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DNR and search “fishing seasons.”
All-Species Fishing Licenses
$26 Resident Annual | $76 Non-Resident Annual
$11 Senior Annual (aged 65+, also for residents who are legally blind)
Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App
Michigan DNR Hunt Fish, an official app of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, gives you a mobile path to buy and store hunting, fishing, ORV, and snowmobile licenses and permits, report harvests, access guides and digests, and get the latest outdoor recreation updates. It has never been easier to get DNR licenses and information, download the free app in your phone’s app store and get started today!
Hunter/Angler Harassment
In Michigan, it is a misdemeanor to deliberately interfere with hunters or anglers trying to harvest game legally.
Report hunter or angler harassment to the DNR toll-free complaint line at (800) 292-7800 ext. 1.
Natural Resource Conservation and Outdoor Recreation: New bipartisan legislation (Senate Bills 803 & 860) aims to preserve hunting traditions, especially for pheasant and American Woodcock populations, through game management programs funded by hunting licenses.
Commercial Hunting and Fishing Guides: Hunting and fishing in Michigan are a multibillion-dollar industry, bringing in visitors from around the world. To ensure that our state continues to have our world-class status, Senate Democrats passed Senate Bills 103, 104, and 105 to create a licensing program for commercial hunting guides and sport fishing guides.
These bills, now signed into law, help protect our wildlife, make sure that guides follow good sportsmanship practices when taking game, and have proper safety training so clients have an enjoyable experience that leaves them ready to come back for more.
Deer Harvest Reporting
Senate Bill 52 was signed into law, amending the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to reduce the penalty for not reporting a deer harvest. The penalty has been reduced from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction, with a fine of not more than $150.
To make reporting a deer harvest more convenient, hunters can report their harvest over the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app or a desktop application and can call any DNR customer service center to receive help directly from DNR staff. This new streamlined process takes about five minutes to complete and is an easy way for hunters to help the DNR stay updated during the hunting season.