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Learn to hunt
New to hunting? Or interested in learning how to hunt but not sure where to start? Check out the range of helpful resources we've put together for new hunters or those who may want to give hunting a try, including:
- A wealth of valuable information from the Modern Hunters blog, by self-taught hunters who explain the ins and outs of learning to hunt through the eyes of a beginner. Documenting and explaining everything from terminology to techniques, this is a must-read for the new hunter.
- Videos and tools o help get you started, including maps of places you can hunt.
- Recipes and other information about eating wild game.
- Resources and events brought to you by various DNR partners.
Scroll through to explore each section below, and if you have any questions while learning about hunting, give your local DNR Customer Service Center a call or email DNR-Wildlife@michigan.gov – we’d love to help!
Hunting 101
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Learn to hunt: How to
- Self-taught stories with Modern Hunter.
- Learn to hunt with Zerohunt.
- Tips for a successful deer hunting season.
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Classes and mentored hunts
Outdoor Skills Academy
These are in-depth classes are designed for adults, youth ages 16 and older, and children over 10 who are accompanied by an adult. Outdoor Skills Academy classes have a cost associated with them, which varies by class.
Hunter education
Safe hunting begins with hunter education, which has had a dramatic impact on reducing hunting incidents in Michigan. Hunting is safe and getting safer!
Hunter education is required if you were born after Jan. 1, 1960, and you want to purchase any Michigan hunting license, or if you are planning an out-of-state hunting trip.
There are several options, including online courses, a traditional classroom course or home study.
Classes and hunts presented by DNR partners:
- National Wild Turkey Federation events (search by ZIP code or by local chapter).
- Pheasants Forever Michigan events.
- National Deer Association events.
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Check out mentored youth and apprentice hunting
We have programs to help you get out in the field for the first time.
Mentored Youth Hunting Program:
The Mentored Youth Hunting program is designed to introduce youth under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing, offering a "package" license for just $7.50
Apprentice Hunting Program:
Anyone ages 10 and older can be a part of the hunting experience by purchasing a base apprentice (APC) license. The base apprentice license, which can be purchased for two license years before needing to successfully complete a hunter safety course, allows you to hunt small game and purchase licenses to hunt other species like deer and turkey.
Learn more about the mentored youth and apprentice hunting programs.
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Learn about hunter safety
Safe hunting begins with hunter education, which has had a dramatic impact on reducing hunting incidents in Michigan. Hunting is safe and getting safer!
Hunter education is required if you were born after Jan. 1, 1960 and you want to purchase any Michigan hunting license, or if you are planning an out-of-state hunting trip.
There are several options, including online courses, a traditional classroom course or home study.
Next steps
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Learn about hunting seasons, rules and regulations
Find the season dates for hunting various species in our hunting season calendar.
The DNR publishes hunting digests, condensed collections of rules and regulations for hunters' convenience, each year - the Michigan Hunting Digest as well as several species-specific digests.
You can keep hunting regulations with you as you into the field. These videos explain how to conveniently access hunting digests on your smartphone or mobile device, and take them with you wherever you go:
Learn more about antler point restrictions in Michigan and get answers to your questions in Antler point restriction FAQs - "The APR Corner."
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Practice shooting
The Department of Natural Resources' eight staffed shooting ranges in southern Michigan - in Clinton, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Livingston, and Oakland counties - offer a fun, safe shooting environment for you and your friends and family. Staffed by customer-friendly and highly trained employees, the DNR's shooting ranges feature amenities like handgun, rifle, shotgun and archery ranges and restroom facilities.
If you don't have a DNR range nearby, check out our map of shooting ranges around the state.
Don't forget to print targets to bring to the range before you go.
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Hunting gear basics
Check out the following checklists to see some of the basic hunting gear you'll need:
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Find a place to hunt
No matter where you are in Michigan, you can find public hunting land, with millions of acres available to the public for hunting
Found on the DNR's Where to hunt webpage, the Mi-HUNT mapping application can help you navigate, with the most up-to-date information to help you plan your hunting trip.
On this page, you can also find information about:
- State wildlife and game areas.
- Grouse enhanced management sites (GEMS), premier bird hunting locations.
- The Hunting Access Program (HAP), which provides access to quality private hunting lands.
- Wetland Wonders, Michigan's premier managed waterfowl hunt areas.
- Other lands open to hunting.
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Buy a license
You can buy a hunting license:
- Online through eLicense.
- At a DNR customer service center.
- At one of the many license retailers around the state.
For more information about which license(s) you'll need and how much they cost, see our list of licenses for sale.
Additional information about licenses is available in the annual Hunting Digest and species-specific hunting digests:
Eating wild
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Processors
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Wild game recipes
Interested in “locavore” eating and sustainable living? Wild meat is one of the most organic and free-range food choices available.
Browse through some of the recipes here – or search for other recipes on your own – to explore the possibilities of cooking with these sustainable, local and delicious protein proteins.
- Wild game recipes from Gourmet Gone Wild.
- Wild game recipes from the Hunter Angler Gardener Cook blog.
- Venison recipe videos from the Hunting and Fishing for Locavores YouTube channel.
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Videos on wild game processing
Deer Processing: Quartering A White-tailed Deer:
Partner resources and events
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Pheasants Forever
Michigan Pheasants Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants and the upland bird populations in North America.
Pheasant hunting resources:
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National Wild Turkey Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation Michigan focuses on conservation management on public and private lands through political advocacy and partnerships. NWTF Michigan works through partnerships to maintain and increase hunting access to public and private lands, and is actively working to increase hunter education and mentored hunting opportunities. Find NWTF Michigan on Facebook.
- NWTF events (search by ZIP code or by local chapter).
Turkey hunting resources:
- About wild turkeys.
- Gear up.
- Prepare for the hunt & finding a place to hunt.
- On the hunt.
- After the hunt.
- Wild turkey basics (sounds, appearance, habitat, behavior and more).