Live Animals - It is illegal to possess live game or protected animals taken from the wild except under a permit issued by the DNR.

Importation Bans - It is illegal to bring a live raccoon, skunk, wild rabbit or hare, wild turkey or wild turkey hybrid or their eggs, or a mute swan or their eggs into Michigan. It is illegal to import or possess a lynx or cougar without an endangered species permit. There is a moratorium on importing deer and elk into Michigan.

Rehabilitation - A permit is required to rehabilitate a wild animal in Michigan. It is illegal to possess a live bat, skunk, mute swan, moose or elk. It also is illegal to rehabilitate a deer unless the origin of the deer is positively confirmed to be from outside Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties. Rehabilitated racoons must be released only in the same county where captured, otherwise they must be euthanized.