All available licenses may be purchased online through the DNR E-license Web Page

• A valid Michigan Driver License.
• A valid Michigan ID Card (issued by the Secretary of State) with additional proof of Michigan residency, such as a Michigan voter registration card.
• A Michigan DNR Sportcard (issued through license agents or online through the DNR E-License Web Page ).  If the information on your DNR Sportcard from a previous year is still accurate, you may continue to use it.

In order to purchase a regular hunting license, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1960 , also must present their hunter safety certificate, previous hunting license or sign their license in the presence of the license agent. This also applies to hunters who intend to hunt furbearers under a fur harvester license.

• All licenses must be signed to be valid. Your signature certifies that you meet the residency and hunter safety requirements to purchase the license.
• When hunting or trapping, you must carry your license and the identification used to purchase that license.
• It is illegal to use another person's hunting license
  • Note: A junior fur harvester-trap only license is available for youngsters who do not satisfy the training requirements for purchasing a hunting license.

To qualify for any adult resident hunting or fur harvester license, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Reside in a settled or permanent home or domicile within the boundaries of this state with the intention of remaining in this state.
• Be a full-time student at a Michigan college or university.
• Serve full time in the U.S. Military and be officially stationed in Michigan.

The ownership of land in Michigan by itself is not a qualification for a resident license.

Military Licenses

Persons serving in the U.S. Military, who, at the time of enlistment, were residents of Michigan and who have maintained resident status for the purposes of obtaining a driver license or voting and who are stationed outside the state, may purchase any hunting license that does not require a separate application for $1.00. The individual must present leave papers, duty papers, military orders or other evidence verifying that he or she is stationed outside the state, and a Michigan Driver License or voter registration. These licenses, available at all license agents  and DNR Operations Service Centers, are valid for up to two weeks during the established season. The license buyer can designate the exact hunting period.

Apprentice Hunting License

A person who does not have a hunter safety certificate may purchase an apprentice hunting license. To purchase this license you must have, in your own name, a valid Michigan Driver License, state of Michigan ID card or DNR Sportcard. An apprentice hunter may purchase this license for two license years before he or she must successfully complete a hunter safety course. The apprentice hunting license is available to residents and nonresidents. 

Apprentice hunters under age 17, when afield, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone 21 or older designated by their parent or guardian. This individual must possess a valid, regular hunting license to hunt the same game as the apprentice hunter. "Accompanied by" requires the adult to be able to come to the immediate aid of the other person and staying within a distance from the other person that permits uninterrupted, unaided visual and verbal contact.     

Apprentice hunters 17 and older, when afield, must be accompanied by someone 21 or older, who possesses a valid, regular hunting license to hunt the same game as the apprentice hunter.  

A person may accompany no more than two apprentice hunters while hunting.