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eharvest tags

eharvest tags

A woman holds her phone displaying her e-Harvest tag.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers eHarvest as a digital tagging option for hunters who prefer to validate their harvest using a mobile device rather than a paper kill tag.

eHarvest allows hunters to tag harvested animals electronically in the field using the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. This option provides a convenient, reliable alternative to traditional paper tags while maintaining the same tagging and reporting requirements.

Participation in eHarvest is optional. Traditional paper tags and point of sale tags remain available.

Species eligible for eHarvest

A black bear standing on all fours in the woods on a sunny day.

Bear

Bobcats running in the snow.

Bobcat

A male white-tailed deer buck and a female doe standing in a field. The buck appears to have 5 points.

Deer

A fisher stares into the camera lens in a winter scene.

Fisher

An American marten in a pine tree.

Marten

A river otter looks to the left while in water.

Otter

How eHarvest works

Hunters who choose eHarvest validate their harvest directly in the Hunt Fish app immediately after the animal is taken. Once validated, the tag is recorded and timestamped on the hunter’s device.

  • A cellular connection is not required at the time of validation.
  • When using an eHarvest tag, a physical tag is not required as long as the harvested animal is attended by the hunter.
  • If the animal is not attended, the hunter must attach a physical tag made of durable material with the license number written in permanent ink. This follows the same rules that apply to traditional paper tagging.
  • A physical tag is not required when the animal is transferred directly to a processor or taxidermist or when it is stored at the hunter’s primary residence.
A screen capture of a harvest e-tag, with an arrow pointing to the validate button.

Step 1 (enlarge image)

Immediately after harvesting your turkey, open your eHarvest tag in the Hunt Fish mobile app and tap the validate button.

A screenshot of the eTag validation screen with date entry from the Hunt Fish mobile app.

Step 2 (enlarge image)

Enter your harvest date and ensure it matches the current date. Then, click the confirm button at the bottom.

Benefits of eHarvest

Convenient access

Digital tags are available 24 hours a day through the Hunt Fish app. No trip to a licensing agent is required.

Cost effective

Reducing printing and distribution costs helps direct more funding toward wildlife conservation and habitat management.

Optional and flexible

Hunters may continue using paper tags if they prefer. eHarvest complements existing tagging options.

Proven and supported

Feedback from turkey hunters who participated in the pilot program has been overwhelmingly positive, citing ease of use and time savings.

Reliable and secure

Digital tags cannot be lost or damaged. Validation records are securely stored on the device.

Enforcement and compliance

A conservation officer talks with a hunter out in the field. Both wear hunter orange hats.
  • The requirement for immediate validation after harvest remains in place. Enforcement standards and compliance expectations are the same whether a hunter uses a digital or paper tag.
  • Maintaining the integrity of Michigan’s tagging and reporting system remains a top priority.