LANSING, Mich. — Bow hunting season begins on Wednesday, October 1 here in West Michigan, and the DNR wants to remind archers of some changes to the license structure.
One of the most significant changes that will affect deer hunters is the base license that is now required for all hunters. The base license provides funding for habitat and conservation work on both public and private land. It also supports the work of DNR conservation officers and field staff to ensure safe, legal hunting practices are followed.
Deer licenses available include:
- Single deer license – valid throughout archery, firearm and muzzle loader seasons. This license has replaced the separate archery and firearm licenses. Hunters who buy a single deer license may not buy a second single deer license or the deer combo license.
- Deer combo license – includes two kill tags, one regular and one restricted. Hunters who want two deer licenses must buy the deer combo license instead of the single deer license. This is required to implement antler point restrictions, which apply based on whether the hunter has purchased two deer licenses. The deer combo license is valid for use during the archery, firearm and muzzle loader seasons. A hunter can use both kill tags in the firearm seasons, both in the archery season or one in each season.
- Antlerless deer license, available based on license quotas set for each Deer Management Unit (DMU).
The DNR recently posted a video on YouTube, answering many common questions. It is available below.
