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Recreational safety and hunter education
Recreational safety and hunter education
Search for classroom-based hunting, boating, ORV, snowmobile, bowhunter and trapping safety/education classes in your area. Or, search for a field day to complete your online or home study hunter education course.
If you have completed a Michigan hunter, bow, boating, ORV, snowmobile or trapper education course and your certificate has been lost or damaged, you can print a copy from our online license system.
Information about available safety certifications
Hunter safety certificate (hunter education)
All first-time hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, are required to take and pass a hunter safety course. You will not be able to purchase a base license (other than an apprentice license) unless you can prove successful completion of a hunter safety course.
Boating safety certificate
Boaters born after June 30, 1996, and most personal watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan must have a boater education card (boating safety certificate).
ORV safety certificate
Operators under age 16 riding on public or private land in Michigan must take an approved ORV education course, carry an ORV safety certificate and have direct visual supervision of an adult.
Snowmobile safety certificate
A snowmobile safety certificate is recommended for all operators and required for some youth under 16 years old.
Trapper education certificate
Trapper education is not required in Michigan, but new trappers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the learning opportunities the trapper education courses offer.
Bowhunter education certificate
While bowhunting education is not required in Michigan, it is required to purchase archery permits in many other states.
Volunteering
Volunteer instructors
We need volunteer instructors because there are not enough conservation officers to conduct training in every community across the state. We strive to recruit the most qualified instructors available and provide them the materials and training necessary to conduct recreational education courses including hunter education, boating, snowmobile and ORV safety.