Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. Use the link above to visit the fishing home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Get all your hunting information here, including hunting season dates, rules and regulations, and much more. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below:
Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below:
Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket.
Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more.
Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more.
Find a great trail experience near you - whether you want to hike, bike, snowmobile or ride an ORV. From long, paved linear trails to rugged forest terrain, Michigan offers trail opportunities for all abilities and interests.
Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below.
We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below:
Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below.
DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests.
All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups
Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Fox Hound Training - Application And Permit
Michigan residents may train dogs on fox on state lands in Zone 3 (southern Lower Peninsula) during the closed season for dog training (April 16 through July 8) with written authorization from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Special Dog Training Area - Application and Permit
This application and permit is required to train dogs on private land during the closed season from April 16 through July 8.
Frequently Asked Questions On Dog Training
Part 427 Breeders and Dealers of the Natural Resources Environmental and Protection Act, Act 451 of 1994, indicates that game birds shall not be released on state land without written permission from the Department. It is very important that when releasing birds for training have received proper authorization. Authorization for this could be written permission or a Designated Field Trial permit.
From July 8th till April 15th you can train or run dogs on State Game Areas or Wildlife Areas and can shoot exotic birds such as pigeons, chukars, Tennessee reds, or other non-natives as long as they do not look significantly similar to Michigan game birds. Wisconsin Jumbo Quail look closely like the Michigan bobwhite and can easily be mistaken. Therefore, Wisconsin Jumbo Quail cannot be used.
During the closed dog training season (April 16th - July 7th), you cannot train on State Game Areas or Wildlife Areas. Running your dog off lead/leash also is not allowed. You can however, train and run your dogs at the Designated Field Trial Areas: Highland, Holly, Ionia, Sharonville, and Lapeer during the closed season. Persons using the state designated field trial areas to train on gamebirds without a field trial permit may only use a shotgun, pistol, and revolver with blank ammunition.
Field trials on designated field trial areas require a permit. If you need more information regarding dog training or field trials, please contact the Wildlife Division Permit Specialist at DNR-PermitSpecialist@michigan.gov or 517-284-6210.
