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Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
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July 31, 2026
Dozens of in-person classes offered throughout the state
Registration is open for more than 50 in-person hunter safety education classes, all taking place during the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Hunter Safety Education Week Aug. 10-16.
These classes, held at locations around the state, provide a convenient way to earn your hunter safety education certificate. To purchase a hunting license in Michigan, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, is required to successfully complete an approved hunter education course.
While hunter safety education classes are offered in the spring, ahead of spring turkey season, and in the fall before the firearm deer season, Hunter Safety Education Week reminds hunters it’s never too early to obtain safety education certification.
“Right now, hunting is not on many people’s minds,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, DNR recreational safety, education and enforcement supervisor. “The challenge we see is folks waiting until the week before they want to head out to hunt to look for a class, only to find that most classes are already full.”
This concentrated week of classes offered in August each year gives hunters ample time to prepare for the fall hunting season, Wanless said.
“Just like we are starting to prepare for the new school year and fall extracurricular activities, now is also a great time to start thinking about and preparing for the fall hunting season,” he said.
The DNR offers four options for completing hunter safety education, all of which require at least four hours of in-person instruction:
Hunter safety education helps the next generation of hunters learn how to safely and responsibly enjoy hunting and understand the importance of wildlife management. The DNR-managed program teaches lifelong skills, such as firearm safety, basic first aid and how to use a map and compass, to an average of 14,000 students per year.
Learn more or register for a class at Michigan.gov/HunterEducation.
Additionally, the DNR is always looking for volunteer recreational safety education instructors. If you are interested in sharing your outdoor experience and safety smarts with those newer to the outdoors, get details on the DNR website.
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
Teaching: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering more than 50 in-person hunter safety education classes Aug. 10-16 to provide opportunities to earn hunter safety certificates prior to the fall hunting season.
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