After the harvest

Can I use a drone to recover game animals?
No. The use of drones to pursue wildlife in any manner, either during legal hunting hours or after, is illegal. You may not take game or fish using an unmanned vehicle or unmanned device that uses aerodynamic forces to achieve flight or using an unmanned vehicle or unmanned device that operates on the surface of water or underwater. Attempting to locate and/or recover game, either dead or wounded, is an act which falls within the definition of “take.”

Validating harvest

Can I tag my deer after I take some photos with it first?
No. Immediately after harvesting and before field-dressing or moving a deer, you must validate your kill tag and securely attach the kill tag to the antler, lower jaw or lower leg of the deer.

How do I validate my kill tag?
To validate your kill tag, you must notch out the appropriate information as instructed on the kill tag.

How should I tag my harvested deer?
You must securely and permanently attach the entire kill tag to the deer’s antler, lower jaw or lower leg. The best way to attach a kill tag is to lay a strong piece of wire or cord across the back of it (after removing backing), so the tag can be folded in half, and to tape it in place as needed. Tie the wire or cord to the deer’s antler, lower jaw or lower leg in such a manner that the kill tag remains securely attached. Do not stick or wrap the kill tag directly onto the antler of a deer. Make sure the kill tag is completely legible and visible for inspection. The kill tag must remain attached until the deer is processed or butchered or until the deer is accepted for processing and recorded by a commercial processor or taxidermist. Note: If the antlers or head are returned to the person submitting the deer to the commercial processor, the kill tag must accompany the head or antlers.

Transporting game animals

What are the rules for transporting game animals?
You can transport your own and another person’s lawfully taken game. You cannot destroy the identity or evidence of the sex of any bird or animal, except for processed or butchered deer as noted above.

Exception: If you submit the head for bovine tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease testing, you must have the kill tag and disease tag receipt in your possession. Nonresidents may need to comply with restrictions in other states for importing game taken in Michigan.

Are there additional restrictions for transporting deer?
Yes. A deer harvested in Montcalm County in its entirety; Otisco, Orleans, Ronald or North Plains townships in Ionia County; or Nelson, Spencer, Courtland, Oakfield, Grattan or Cannon townships in Kent County cannot be possessed or transported outside of those listed areas, unless:

• The harvested deer is deboned meat, quarters or other parts that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached: antlers attached to a skull or skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue; hides; upper canine teeth; or a finished taxidermist mount.
• OR the deer carcass is taken directly to a registered processor.
• AND/OR the intact deer head detached from the carcass is taken directly to a licensed taxidermist.

Can I pick up a roadkill deer?
Yes. However, you must apply for a permit. You cannot possess a carcass or parts of a roadkill deer outside of the county where the deer was killed by collision with a motor vehicle except for deboned meat, quarters or other parts of the cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached: antlers; antlers attached to the skull or skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue; hides; upper canine teeth; or a finished taxidermist mount. This is part of the DNR’s efforts to respond to and manage chronic wasting disease in the state. Roadkill salvage permit applications are available at Michigan.gov/RoadKillPermit.

Can I bring my deer, elk or moose back to Michigan from an out-of-state hunt?
Yes. You can bring only the following parts from a free-ranging or captive deer, elk, moose or other cervid hunted within another state or province into Michigan:

• Hides.
• Deboned meat, quarters or other parts of the cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached.
• Finished taxidermy products.
• Cleaned teeth or antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue.

Hunters bringing an entire head, carcass or other prohibited parts into Michigan will be subject to penalties such as fines, jail time and revocation of licenses. In addition, the illegally imported cervid will be confiscated.

If you are notified by another state or province that a deer, elk, moose or other cervid you brought into Michigan tested positive for CWD, you must contact the DNR Wildlife Health Section within two business days (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 517-336-5030 and provide details. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture may have regulations on importation from Canada; contact USDA at 301-851-3300.

Mandatory deer harvest reporting

Deer must be reported within 72 hours of harvest or before you transfer possession, whichever comes first.

What is mandatory harvest reporting and when did it take effect?
Beginning in 2022, there was a new requirement of all successful deer hunters to report their deer harvest through our website or mobile app. The system will allow us a near real-time estimate of deer harvest as it occurs.

Who is required to report their deer harvest?
All successful deer hunters with a state-issued deer license, including those with deer management assistance permits, are required to report their deer harvest. NOTE: Hunters who wish to submit a deer head for TB or CWD testing must first report their harvest. Heads will not be accepted without a harvest report.

How do I report my harvest?
You can report your harvest through eLicense (Michigan.gov/DNRlicenses) or the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Once your harvest report is completed, you will be given a confirmation number and the option to receive a copy by email.

• To report your harvest through eLicense, visit Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport on a computer or mobile device to go directly to the reporting page. Enter your kill tag license number and date of birth to begin the harvest report. If you don’t have your hunting license/kill tag number, you can log in to eLicense (using your driver’s license and birthdate, or user ID and password), then click on the Harvest Report tab to see the tags available to report. If you don’t already have an account, you will have the chance to create one to enter your report.
• To report your harvest through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, download or open the app on a mobile device. You must sign in or create an account to use the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Select the kill tag you used and enter the harvest report information. The app is available for download at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Do I still need to tag my deer?
Yes. You must continue to attach a state-issued kill tag to a harvested deer. The kill tag should remain with the head if the head and body of the deer are separated. Anyone in possession of a deer after the harvest reporting timeframe expires should be able to present the confirmation number.

Do I still have to report my deer if I process it myself?
Yes. Even if you process the deer yourself, it still needs to be properly tagged and reported via the harvest reporting system.

Does a hunter have to have the deer with them when they report their harvest?
No. A hunter does not have to be in immediate physical possession of the deer when they report the harvest, but it may be helpful to answer some of the questions, like how many antler points are on the left beam of the animal you harvested. Hunters will have to report their harvest before giving their deer to a processor or taxidermist.

What information is collected on the harvest report?
All successful hunters will be asked to report the unique kill tag license number that was attached to the deer, the hunter’s date of birth, the township (selected from a map grid), the type of deer harvested (fawn/antlered/adult doe), number of antler points (if a buck) and date of kill. In addition, some hunters will be asked an additional management-related question such as what type of hunting device was used to take their deer. Most hunters should be able to complete the process in about three minutes.

Why do I have to provide the location of my harvest?
Providing the location of harvest on a map allows the DNR to improve deer management in two important ways. First, the DNR will finally have a way to look at deer harvest patterns in relation to habitat features on the landscape independent of county or deer management unit boundaries. Second, the location you provide will be precise enough to support important deer disease surveillance efforts.

Will the public be able to see the location where hunters harvested their deer?
Data that identifies you or the specific location of your harvest will not be disclosed except where specifically required by law. The DNR will utilize harvest data to better understand deer populations and hunter activities for management purposes. Please provide a complete and accurate report of your harvest.

What if I need help reporting my harvest?
The harvest reporting system allows for a family member, friend or hunting buddy to easily report a harvest for you. If you have questions about reporting your harvest or need assistance, please call 517-284-9453 or your local DNR customer service center during normal business hours. You can also email DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov for assistance.

Is there a penalty for not reporting your deer harvest?
Yes. The penalty for failing to report a deer harvest or retention of a deer harvest confirmation number is a civil infraction including a civil fine of not more than $150.

How will hunters show proof of reporting their harvest?
After a hunter has successfully reported a harvested animal, the hunter will be issued a harvest confirmation number. This confirmation number will serve as proof that the hunter has legally reported the harvest.

How will a conservation officer know if a deer has been reported or if a confirmation number is real?
By linking every harvested deer to a unique kill tag license number, the DNR can track all harvested deer reported by a hunter and investigate potential problems. Conservation officers can verify the confirmation number through their laptop computer or mobile device app.

What documentation is required when transferring possession of a harvested deer?
The successful hunter is required to report the harvest before transferring possession of the deer (e.g., before taking it to a processor or giving the deer to a friend or taxidermist). When transferring the possession of a harvested deer, the hunter should provide the harvest confirmation to the person accepting the animal. The person that accepts the animal should record the confirmation number. This confirmation number is proof that the hunter has legally reported the harvest.

Why is the Michigan DNR adopting mandatory harvest reporting for deer?
Since the 1950s, we have used mail surveys that were sent to randomly selected hunters to estimate harvest. Estimates were accurate if the hunters responding to surveys were representative of all hunters. This assumption generally is easier to make when most hunters in the sample respond to the survey. Unfortunately, the proportion of hunters returning mail surveys has declined from an average of more than 70% in the early 2000s to 33% in 2021. Low response rates can lead to inaccurate estimates. Because declining response rates are not likely to reverse, another approach to estimating harvest was needed.

Are there other states that use this system or is Michigan the first?
Michigan is one of the later states to adopt this technology. With declining response rates for our deer harvest surveys, it makes sense to switch to a new way to collect deer harvest data.

Will the public be able to get harvest data faster than in the past?
Yes. The system will provide real-time summaries of the number and types of deer harvested by county and management unit.

Is the DNR getting rid of its traditional deer harvest survey?
No. The DNR will continue to do its traditional post-season deer harvest survey for a few years so we can compare harvest estimates from both the old and new systems, but eventually the traditional mail survey will be reduced in scale and frequency.

Will there still be deer check stations?
Check stations have long since provided sites to understand the age of deer being harvested, as well as sites for collecting disease samples for bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease. However, they’ve never been integral for estimating season-long deer harvest. While check stations won’t go away completely, there will be fewer of them. These locations will primarily serve as disease sample submission sites for bTB and CWD.

Is there still a way for hunters to submit deer for disease testing?
Yes. Our new reporting system should make it easier for hunters to understand whether they are in a location where the DNR is looking for volunteers to submit their deer for testing. If hunters indicate they are in one of the disease surveillance zones, they will see a message on the harvest report confirmation page asking them to submit their deer head for testing, along with locations of where they can submit their deer head or sample for testing.

Check stations will focus on places where the DNR needs to gather physical samples for disease testing. This allows us to maximize our use of staff resources for disease surveillance purposes. Harvested deer must be reported using the harvest reporting system. Hunters will continue to have the opportunity to submit samples to Michigan State University and Wisconsin labs directly for a fee.

Deer check stations

Can I bring my deer to a deer check station?
Yes. However, deer check station locations and hours of operation have been reduced as data collection techniques have changed and have become more efficient than traditional check stations. Drop-box locations and participating cooperators such as taxidermists and processors are available for hunters wishing to submit their deer’s head for testing. Visit Michigan.gov/DeerCheck for check station locations and hours of operation.

Handling and processing deer meat

Should I be concerned about dioxin?
Health assessors from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan DNR determined that samples of wild game taken from the floodplains of the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River downstream of Midland contained high levels of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. Wild game tested included deer, turkeys, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, wood ducks, and Canada geese. As a result, the MDHHS advises that hunters and their families to follow these recommendations related to dioxin:

• Do not eat the liver from deer harvested in or near the Tittabawassee River floodplain.
• Limit consumption of muscle meat from deer harvested in or near the floodplain of the Tittabawassee River downstream of Midland and in or near the floodplain of the Saginaw River.

For additional information regarding dioxin, dioxin-like compounds and wild game advisories for the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River floodplains, including maps of the area covered by these advisories, go to the MDHHS website at Michigan.gov/Dioxin.

Should I be concerned about lead in game meat?
Ammunition used to shoot wildlife, including lead birdshot or rounds containing lead bullets, may fragment, leaving particles remaining in game meat, even after processing. Some of these lead particles may be too small to be seen or felt when processing game. Being exposed to any lead can be a serious issue for developing bodies and nervous systems, so those most at risk of health effects from eating venison or wild game meat that contains lead are young children and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

• Use lead-free ammunition: Opt for shotgun shells with nontoxic shot or slugs, and nontoxic rifle bullets. If nontoxic ammunition is unavailable, avoid rapidly expanding bullets that tend to fragment.
• Aim carefully: Avoid shooting through large bones, like the front shoulder, as bullets passing through these bones are more likely to fragment. Aim for areas with softer tissue to minimize lead fragmentation.
• Trim around wound channels: Cut away the meat around the wound channel to remove lead fragments that may have entered the meat.
• Select cuts wisely: Ground venison often contains more lead fragments than other cuts of meat. Choose different cuts to reduce lead exposure.
• Avoid acidic cooking ingredients: Refrain from using vinegar or wine when cooking meat shot with lead ammunition, as acids can increase lead absorption in the body.

How should I handle and process wild game?
You should help prevent lead exposure by taking care of your harvested meat. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends proper food safety practices when handling venison, as well as any other meat or poultry.

When field-dressing deer from DMU 487, remember to wear a mask and gloves to protect yourself from lead exposure. For more information on venison field-dressing, meat preparation, and recipes, see the DNR publication “How to Field Dress a White-Tailed Deer,” available at Michigan.gov/Deer.

I process wild game. Do I need a permit?
Yes. Commercial meat processors who accept wild game for processing and storage are required to register with the DNR. Registration is free. To register, visit Michigan.gov/WildlifePermits.

Buying and selling game animals

Can I buy or sell game animals?
You cannot buy or sell game animals, except as provided by Wildlife Conservation Order 4.3, available at Michigan.gov/DNRLaws.

Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger

What is Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger?
Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger is a nonprofit organization that connects donors, wild game processors and charities to help feed individuals in need.

Can I donate meat from the deer I harvested?
Yes. The DNR encourages hunters to support the effort to provide processed deer meat to local families in need. You can donate your harvested deer to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger. Testing for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis may be required. Harvested meat must be processed by a licensed processor to be accepted by the program. An updated list of participating processors can be obtained by calling the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger hotline at 586-552-6517 or visiting SportsmenAgainstHunger.org.

What are other ways to help Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger?
Yes. You can help offset the cost of processing and packaging venison by making a monetary donation when you purchase your hunting or fishing license. You can make a monetary donation at any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the DNR Hunt Fish app.

Deer management cooperator patch

Who coordinates the deer management cooperator patch?
Michigan’s deer management cooperator patch, also known as the deer patch, is coordinated by the Michigan DNR.

Do I need to harvest a deer to purchase a deer patch?
No. You do not have to harvest a deer to purchase a patch.

How much does a deer patch cost?
Adult hunters, youth hunters, collectors and other interested individuals can purchase a deer patch for $8, including postage and handling.

Can I order deer patches from previous years?
Yes. You can purchase deer patches from previous years while supplies last.

How do I order a deer patch?
Deer patches can be ordered online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

How long will it take to receive my patch?
You should receive your deer patch in seven to 10 business days.

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