The Wildlife Division's mission is to enhance, restore, and conserve the state's wildlife resources, natural communities, and ecosystems for the benefit of Michigan's citizens, visitors, and future generations.

Wildlife is owned by all the people of the state of Michigan, and are administered and managed by the Michigan DNR. The MDNR's authority is derived from the state Legislature and the Natural Resources Commission (NRC). In Michigan the list of game species is established by the state Legislature. Hunting and trapping regulations including methods of take, bag limits, license quotas, and season dates are established by the NRC and are described in the Wildlife Conservation Orders (WCO). Changes in these regulations are recommended by field staff, management unit supervisors, work groups, or the Law Enforcement Division. Proposed changes in regulations are evaluated by the Research Section, drafted as amendments by the Wildlife Management Section, and submitted to the NRC for consideration and approval The State of Michigan's control of harvest and take of wildlife extends to both public and private lands.

The work of the Wildlife Division is guided by its 1998-1999 Strategic Plan. Wildlife Division field operations are executed in 8 separate Wildlife Management Units each of which encompasses between 7 and 13 Michigan counties. A Management Unit supervisor oversees species and habitat work within each Management Unit. Two processes are used to accomplish operational goals. The first are Annual Work Plans, which establish priorities by allocating staff time and funding to accomplish division and management unit goals. The second are Work Item Proposals, which are requests for funding of special projects that operating budgets do not normally cover.

The Wildlife Division co-manages Michigan state forest land with the Forest, Mineral, & Fire Management Division. In addition, the Wildlife Division administers different categories of state land that are dedicated specifically for wildlife restoration and wildlife-related recreation. The kind of recreational activities allowed on a particular tract of land is usually determined by the funding source or legislation used to acquire that land:

• State Game Area: areas established where hunting is the major intended land use.
• State Wildlife Area: areas established where both hunting and the conservation or protection of wildlife is the major intended land use.
• State Fish and Wildlife Area: areas established where both fishing/hunting and the conservation or protection of fish/wildlife is the major intended land use.
• State Wildlife Research Area: areas dedicated as refuges or for research and are closed to hunting and trapping.

State Game Area Master Plans set strategic direction for Wildlife Division administered lands. These plans set goals and objectives for wildlife species management, habitat management, and public use. Master Plans receive public review prior to finalization, and are revised and updated every ten years. The Wildlife Division also has key involvement in several different categories of land, which may be "owned" or administered by other public agencies or private entities:

• State Wildlife Management Area: areas administered by the Parks & Recreation Division or the Forest, Mineral, & Fire Management Division, but where the Wildlife Division is the lead manager.
• Federal Waterfowl Production Area: waterfowl production areas administered by the Federal government, but where the Wildlife Division is the lead manager.
• Wilderness, Wild, or Natural Areas: dedicated areas that receive protection from the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994. This legislation directs the Wildlife Division to identify, establish, maintain, and administer a system of high quality, representative, ecologically viable natural areas in Michigan. These areas may be publicly or privately owned and include Wilderness Areas (greater than 3000 acres), Wild Areas (undeveloped land), and Natural Areas (have retained or re-established their natural character).

Michigan's Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) provides a common strategic framework that enables State, Federal and tribal agencies, local governments, conservation organizations, universities, private landowners, and other interested individuals to jointly implement a long-term holistic approach for the conservation of wildlife. Management, research, survey and monitoring needs were identified and prioritized through conservation partners and public participation. This plan identifies and recommends actions to improve habitat conditions for all wildlife, but focuses on those species with the greatest conservation need. This plan also guides Michigan's use of State Wildlife Grants (SWG) funds.