To purchase a hunting license in Michigan, an individual born on or after January 1, 1960, is required to successfully complete an approved hunter education course. 

There are four options for completing hunter education in Michigan:

• Traditional classroom-based course (which includes the in-person field day)
• Online course + in-person field day
• Interactive online course + in-person field day
• Take home study course + in-person field day

Non-residents can purchase a Michigan hunting license with a valid hunter education safety certificate from another state. 

Michigan's traditional hunter education course is taught by a dedicated core of certified volunteer instructors and Michigan conservation officers.

About the class:

• In person, traditional classroom setting including hands on training.
• Minimum of 10 hours over a minimum of two days.
• Written test (80% or better to pass) and practice assessment (pass/fail).
• Maximum $10 fee.
• Students under age 10 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian.

Online + field day

Online hunter education is a self-paced course completed online and includes electronic reading materials and videos. Students must complete the online portion of the course prior to attending a field day.

To register as a online hunter education student:

• Take the approved online hunter safety course.
• Register for a field day.
• Present a copy of your certificate of completion (voucher) of the online course at the start of the field day. The certificate of completion (voucher) of the online course is valid for 12 months from the completion date.

Interactive (online) + field day

Interactive online hunter education is a self-paced course that keeps students engaged through a variety of multimedia elements, such as animations and videos that put students in virtual real-life scenarios. Students must complete the interactive online portion of the course prior to attending a field day.

To register as a interactive online hunter education student:

• Take the approved interactive hunter safety course.
• Register for a field day.
• Present a copy of your certificate of completion (voucher) of the interactive course at the start of the field day. The certificate of completion (voucher) of the online course is valid for 12 months from the completion date.

Take-home study + field day

Take-home study students must pre-register for a field day and be approved by the instructor to complete hunter education as a take-home study. Once the instructor approves the student, they will receive a student manual to read at home. Students must pick-up the manual at least one week before the field day and complete all of the chapter reviews. The chapter reviews must be presented to the instructor when the student arrives at their field day.

To register as a take-home study hunter education student:

• Register for a field day.
• Make arrangements with the instructor to pick up the student manual, a minimum of one week prior to the field day.
• Complete the chapter review questions and present them at the start of the field day.

About the field day

• Four hours
• Written test (80% or better to pass) and practice assessment (pass/fail)
• Maximum $10 fee
• Students under age 10 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian