In order 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 two options for completing hunter education in Michigan – the traditional course or the online course. Both options require attendance at a field day.
Out-of-state residents can purchase a Michigan hunting license as long as they have a valid hunter education safety certificate from another state.
Temporary Safety Certificate Until June 1, 2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic the DNR is offering a temporary safety certificate for eligible students.
Due to COVID-19, eligible hunter education students will be allowed to purchase a Michigan hunting license through June 1, 2021 – prior to completing the required field day.
To be eligible for a temporary hunter education safety certificate, online students must meet one of the following criteria:
- Started the program on or after Sept. 10, 2019 and complete it by June 1, 2021.
- Already completed the online program but have yet to complete a field day.
Eligible students will be able to print their temporary certificates from their online Kalkomey student portal (Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC is the DNR’s online recreation education provider).
Students need to present their temporary certificates when purchasing licenses.
Anyone who receives a temporary hunter education safety certificate will be required to complete a field day by June 1, 2021, or within 12 months of completing the online course – whichever date comes later – to receive their permanent hunter education safety certificate.
Field days are currently being offered – students are encouraged to complete a field day as soon as possible.
Hunter education – traditional course
Due to COVID-19, the DNR has temporarily postponed the traditional classroom hunter education class. If you would like to complete hunter education now, please refer to the online or take-home study course which includes a in-person field day.
The main purpose of the hunter education course is to train safe, legal and responsible hunters. Topics include understanding wildlife management, wildlife identification, ethics, laws and regulations, and firearms safety and handling.
The required field day is part of this course.
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
- No minimum age requirement; however, students under age 10 shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian.
Hunter education – online
- Take the approved hunter safety course online at hunter-ed.com/Michigan.
- After completing the online course, students have 12 months to complete the field day to complete hunter education.
Hunter education – field day
The hunter education field day course is an alternative to the traditional course. This is the same as the traditional hunter education course; however, the classroom portion is completed by either:
- Online training
- Take home study format
After students complete the course (either online or take home study format), they must attend and complete the field day to earn a hunter safety certificate.
Students choosing the online course followed by the field day must present a copy of their certificate of completion (voucher) of the online course at the start of the field day. The online course is fee based and can be taken at hunter-ed.com/michigan/.
The second format is take home study. Students register for the field day and pick up the student manual, a minimum of one week prior to the field day. Take home study students must complete the chapter review questions and present them at the start of the field day.
Michigan’s hunter education course is taught by a dedicated core of certified volunteer instructors and Michigan conservation officers.
About the field day:
- In person field day
- 4 hours minimum
- Written test (80% or better to pass) and practice assessment (pass/fail)
- Maximum $10 fee
- No minimum age requirement; however, students under age 10 shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian.
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Other Hunting-Related Safety Classes
- Trapper Education Certificate
Trapper education is not required in Michigan; however, new trappers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the educational opportunities of the trapper education courses.
- Bowhunter Education Certificate
While bowhunting education is not required in Michigan, it is required to purchase archery permits in many other states.
