Calculator Learn
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Privacy About
Michigan Hunting License

Michigan Hunting License Cost 2026

MI resident and non-resident fees, deer tags, turkey permits — plus a calculator for your full season total.

Michigan Hunting Overview

Michigan's deer hunting tradition runs deep, anchored by a firearm season opener that's treated as a near-holiday in parts of the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages a license structure that splits the base license from a separate deer license — a detail that trips up out-of-state hunters more than almost any other state's fee system. Knowing exactly what the base license does and doesn't cover is the first step to accurately budgeting a Michigan hunting season, whether you're a longtime resident or planning your first trip north.

MI Hunting License Fees at a Glance

Resident Annual
$11.00
Base license
Non-Resident Annual
$151.00
Base license
Deer Tag (Res.)
$25.00
Single tag; Combo (2 tags) $50.00

Fees are approximate 2025–2026 rates. Verify at Michigan DNR.

MI Hunting Cost Calculator

Select your residency and the tags you need. Your estimated total updates instantly.

$11.00
+$25.00
+$11.00
+$27.00
Estimated Season Total
$11.00
Buy MI License →

Complete Michigan Hunting License Fee Schedule

License / TagResidentNon-ResidentNotes
Annual Hunting License$11.00$151.00Base license
Deer Tag$25.00$150.00Single tag; two-tag Deer Combo $50/$225
Spring Turkey Tag$11.00$11.00Per tag
Archery EndorsementIncludedIncludedNo separate purchase
Federal Duck Stamp$27.00$27.00Required for waterfowl
Senior Resident65+ reduced—Verify at Michigan DNR
YouthUnder 17 free—Junior hunting license
Active Duty MilitaryActive duty free—With military ID

Michigan Hunting License Fees — What You're Actually Paying For

Michigan's $11.00 resident base license is one of the cheapest in the Midwest—on par with Georgia and cheaper than Ohio ($19) or Wisconsin ($15.25). But the base license alone doesn't let you hunt deer: Michigan requires a separate deer license on top, priced at $20 for residents. That two-fee structure (base license plus deer license) is worth budgeting for before you assume Michigan is a $11.00 state for deer hunters—the real resident cost for deer season is closer to $35.

Non-residents face a much steeper version of that same structure. The base non-resident license runs $151.00, and the non-resident deer license adds another $153—nearly doubling the total to around $304 before any turkey or waterfowl add-ons. That's a meaningfully different math than states like Georgia or Virginia, where deer access is bundled into one non-resident fee with no second charge.

What Michigan sells for that price is one of the most storied deer hunting traditions in the country. November 15th—opening day of firearm season—is treated as an unofficial statewide holiday in parts of the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, with some schools closing and family camps filling up for the week. Archery season opens in October and Michigan hunters can layer bow, firearm, and muzzleloader tags across the same deer license depending on the option purchased.

Michigan sells several deer license 'combo' options beyond the basic single-deer license — including combination licenses that allow an antlered and antlerless deer, or add-on kill tags for specific management units with antlerless surplus. Hunters planning to take more than one deer should compare these combo options before assuming the base $20 resident deer license covers everything.

Michigan vs. Nearby States: Hunting License Cost Comparison

Here's how Michigan's resident and non-resident hunting license fees stack up against nearby or commonly compared states.

StateResidentNon-Resident
Michigan (this page)$11.00$151.00
Wisconsin$15.25$200.00
Ohio$19.00$180.96
Indiana$20.00$90.00
Minnesota$22.00$102.00
Michigan vs. Nearby States — Resident vs. Non-Resident ($) Resident Non-Resident Michigan (this state) $11.00 $151.00 Wisconsin $15.25 $200.00 Ohio $19.00 $180.96 Indiana $20.00 $90.00 Minnesota $22.00 $102.00
Chart: annual base license fees, resident vs. non-resident. Source: state wildlife agency sites, verified July 2026.

How to Buy a Michigan Hunting License

Michigan hunting licenses, including the separate deer license, are sold through the DNR's e-License system online, by phone, or at any licensed retailer (sporting goods stores, some big-box retailers, and local bait-and-tackle shops across the state). Online purchases print instantly or load to Michigan's mobile license app. Because the deer license is purchased separately from the base license, make sure your cart includes both before checkout—it's a common first-time mistake for out-of-state hunters used to a single bundled fee.

Buying a MI License, Step by Step

1. Go to the Michigan DNR online licensing portal (or call/visit an agent in person).
2. Select residency status and the license type — base license, plus any required deer, turkey, or archery add-ons.
3. Enter hunter education certification details if this is your first license, or your existing customer ID if you've bought one before.
4. Pay online for an instant digital license, or complete the purchase in person.
5. Print or save your license and any tags to your phone, and review current season dates for your specific zone or unit before heading out.

Michigan Residency Rules & License Exemptions

Michigan defines a resident as someone domiciled in the state for at least 60 consecutive days before applying, with a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID as proof. Active-duty military stationed in Michigan qualify for resident rates. Michigan residents 65 and older receive a reduced-fee senior license, and youth under 17 hunt free of charge with proper hunter safety documentation where required. Michigan does not offer a broad landowner exemption the way many Southern states do—owning hunting land in Michigan does not itself waive the license or deer license requirement.

Is a Michigan Hunting License Worth It?

Is Michigan's stacked base-plus-deer-license structure ($11.00 + $20 resident, $151.00 + $153 non-resident) worth it? For residents, yes — $35 total is still cheap relative to national averages. For non-residents, the roughly $304 combined cost is steep, and hunters purely chasing an affordable Midwest whitetail trip may find Ohio's lower non-resident base fee ($180.96) a better starting point even after its own separate deer permit.

Other State Hunting License Costs

WisconsinOhioIndianaMinnesotaAll 50 States →

See how Michigan compares to all 50 states — resident and non-resident.

Compare All State Fees →

Michigan Hunting Season Dates

SeasonTypical DatesNotes
Deer — ArcheryOctober – NovemberCheck zone/unit dates
Deer — General FirearmNovember – DecemberVaries by zone/unit
Spring Wild TurkeyApril – May$11.00 tag required
Waterfowl / DuckOctober – DecemberDuck Stamp + state validation
Michigan Hunting Season Timeline Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Deer — Archery Deer — General Firearm Spring Wild Turkey Waterfowl / Duck
Typical season windows shown by month. Exact open/close dates vary by zone or unit — verify with the state wildlife agency each year.

Season dates vary by zone/unit. Verify your area's exact calendar at Michigan DNR.

Frequently Asked Questions — MI Hunting License

How much is a hunting license in Michigan?
A Michigan resident hunting license costs $11.00 per year. A non-resident license costs $151.00. Deer hunting requires an additional license — $25.00 for residents and $150.00 for non-residents for a single deer tag (a two-tag Deer Combo runs $50.00 resident / $225.00 non-resident). A turkey tag costs an additional $11.00. Verify current rates with Michigan DNR before purchasing.
How much is a Michigan non-resident hunting license?
A Michigan non-resident annual hunting license costs $151.00. A single non-resident deer license costs $150.00; a two-tag Deer Combo license costs $225.00. The Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required separately for waterfowl hunting.
Do I need a separate deer tag in Michigan?
Yes — Michigan requires a separate deer license costing $25.00 for residents and $150.00 for non-residents for a single tag; a two-tag Deer Combo costs $50.00 resident / $225.00 non-resident.
When is deer season in Michigan?
Michigan's general firearm deer season typically runs November – December, with archery season running October – November. Season dates vary by zone or unit — always check the current year's dates at Michigan DNR before hunting.
Do seniors get a discount on Michigan hunting licenses?
Michigan residents qualify for a senior hunting license benefit: 65+ reduced. Active duty military members also qualify for a discount (Active duty free). Verify current senior and military rates directly with Michigan DNR.
Does Michigan's $11.00 license include deer hunting?
No—Michigan's base license covers small game and gives you the right to purchase a deer license, but the deer license itself is a separate $20 resident ($153 non-resident) purchase. Budget for both if deer is your target species.
Why is opening day of Michigan's firearm deer season such a big deal?
November 15th has been a cultural touchstone in Michigan for generations, especially in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, where deer camp traditions run through families and some schools have historically closed or seen high absenteeism on opening day.
Is Michigan's non-resident deer license really almost as expensive as the base license?
Yes—at $153, the non-resident deer license is nearly identical in cost to the $151.00 non-resident base license, meaning out-of-state deer hunters should expect to pay roughly double the base license price once the deer license is added.
Can I take more than one deer in Michigan?
Only with the appropriate combo license or additional antlerless tags where available by management unit — the standard single deer license covers one deer. Check current DNR combo license options before season if you're targeting more than one animal.
Does Michigan require hunter orange?
Yes — Michigan requires hunter orange during firearm deer season for most hunters, a standard safety requirement given how many hunters are in the woods simultaneously during the state's traditional November 15th opener.
How does Michigan's license compare to Wisconsin's?
Michigan's $11.00 base license is cheaper than Wisconsin's $15.25, but once each state's separate deer license is added ($20 in Michigan, $21.25 in Wisconsin), the totals land close together — $35 in Michigan versus $48 in Wisconsin.
Does Michigan offer a senior lifetime license?
Michigan offers reduced-fee senior licensing and some lifetime license options for residents — check current DNR pricing, as terms and age thresholds are set separately from the standard annual resident rate.
When is duck and waterfowl season in Michigan?
Michigan's general waterfowl season runs approximately October – December, though exact opener dates are set annually within federal USFWS framework dates and can vary by zone. A Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, on top of your Michigan hunting license — check Michigan DNR each year for the confirmed season dates in your zone.
What do I need to buy a Michigan hunting license?
You'll typically need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), your hunter education certification number if this is your first license, and a form of payment. Online purchases through Michigan DNR accept major credit or debit cards and issue your license instantly; in-person purchases at a license agent may also accept cash or check depending on the retailer.
What's the total cost for a full deer, turkey, and archery season in Michigan?
Adding the Michigan base license ($11.00) to a deer license ($25.00) and a turkey tag ($11.00), a resident hunter pursuing all three in the same season pays roughly $47.00 total before the $27 Federal Duck Stamp needed for waterfowl. Non-resident totals run higher across the board — check Michigan DNR for exact current tag prices before budgeting a multi-species season.
Does Michigan require hunter education to get a hunting license?
Yes — like nearly every U.S. state, Michigan requires hunter education certification for first-time license buyers born after a state-set cutoff date, typically covering firearm safety, ethics, and wildlife identification. Hunters who haven't completed the course yet can often still get afield through an apprentice or mentored hunting license, which lets a certified adult bring along an uncertified newcomer for one or more license years before certification is required.

Compare Michigan's fees against every other state on our free tool.

Open the Full 50-State Calculator →