How to Get Your Michigan Youth Hunting License
To get a child their first Michigan youth hunting license, a parent or legal guardian must choose the correct license for the child's age. Children ages 10–16 must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a Junior Base License from an authorized retail vendor or the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) eLicense system.
Youth under 10 can hunt with a special license, as long as they are under the direct supervision of a licensed adult.
Sharing your child's first hunt can create an everlasting impression and mark the beginning of a family tradition. Fortunately, Michigan's youth hunting licensing system makes it easy to get the proper licenses and tags. Let's take a closer look at which license type and hunter education requirements apply to Michigan youth so you can ensure your child starts their hunting journey on the right foot.
How to Get Your Michigan Youth Hunting License
Purchasing a Michigan youth hunting license requires three simple steps. Here's an overview of each one.
Step 1: Determine the Correct License Type
The young hunter's age dictates the type of license needed.
- Children aged 9 and younger must purchase a Mentored Youth Hunting License.
- Children ages 10–16 can purchase a Junior Base License after completing a hunter education course. They can also hunt with a Base Apprentice License if they have yet to complete the course.
Step 2: Meet Hunter Education Requirements
Michigan residents born after January 1, 1960, must complete an approved hunter safety course before purchasing their first hunting license. You can take these hunter safety courses in a traditional classroom setting or online, followed by a mandatory in-person field day with a Michigan DNR instructor.
Youth hunters ages 10 and older can still hunt without completing their hunter education requirements by purchasing a Base Apprentice License. This license allows hunting for up to two years under the direct supervision of a licensed adult mentor (age 21 or older) until the youth hunter meets hunter education requirements.
Step 3: Purchase the License
Once the youth hunter completes the first two steps, they can purchase the appropriate youth hunting license.
The most common way to purchase a license is to buy one online through the Michigan DNR eLicense system or the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. After a parent or guardian creates an account, they can complete the purchase in just a few minutes.
Many sporting goods stores—including major retailers like Walmart and Meijer—as well as local bait-and-tackle shops, offer in-person license purchases.
Pro Tip: If you purchase your hunting license online, species-specific tags (such as deer and turkey) can take 7–10 days to arrive by mail. If you need the tag sooner, purchase it in person at an authorized retailer.
What Information Do You Need?
Before a parent or guardian can purchase a Michigan youth hunting license, you'll need to have the following information:
- Child's name
- Home address
- Date of birth
- Hunter safety certificate number (if applicable)
Michigan requires this information for both online and in-person license purchases.
What Is a Michigan Youth Hunting License?
A child who possesses a Michigan youth hunting license can legally hunt, fish, and trap within the state's borders. The Michigan DNR has created a licensing program that introduces children to hunting in a safe, structured way while creating distinct, age-based pathways to develop the skills needed to be successful and ethical in the field.
In addition to ensuring youth follow the same seasons and regulations as adult hunters, youth hunting licenses also help younger participants gain supervised experience in firearms safety, marksmanship, conservation, basic fieldcraft, and appropriate hunting practices.
To accomplish these objectives, Michigan offers two licenses at reduced fees:
- Children ages 9 and under need a Mentored Youth Hunting License.
- Children ages 10–16 can use a Junior Base License, which also allows the addition of optional species-specific licenses for deer, turkey, and small game.
Who Needs a Youth Hunting License?
Anyone participating in a hunt in Michigan must have the appropriate age-based hunting license. There are no exceptions for property ownership, family land, or private hunting clubs. If a youth is hunting, they need the appropriate license.
Hunters aged 9 and under must hunt through the Mentored Youth program, which requires a Mentored Youth License and being within arm's reach of a supervising adult who has a valid Base License. Young hunters in this age group are not legally allowed to pursue game independently of an adult.
Hunters ages 10–16 who have completed a state-certified hunter education program are eligible to purchase a Junior Base License. A young hunter in this age group who has not completed the hunter safety requirements can hunt under an apprentice license with adult supervision.
All hunters 16 and under must still follow the same state hunting regulations, bag limits, legal hunting methods, and seasons as adults. Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that children meet all of Michigan's requirements before entering the field.
Who Can Qualify for a Michigan Youth Hunting License?
Michigan DNR uses age as the primary qualifier for its youth hunting license system. This classification creates separate license pathways designed to best serve outdoors enthusiasts from early childhood through the teenage years.
Age Requirements
Mentored Youth Hunting License (Ages 9 and Under)
Michigan's Mentored Youth Hunting License is for children ages 9 and under. It allows them to start learning about hunting, firearms safety, and fieldcraft under the direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter.
The Mentored Youth Hunting License currently costs $7.50 and includes the following hunting privileges:
- A Base License
- A small game tag
- A turkey tag (spring and fall)
- A deer tag (one tag, any deer)
- Trap furbearers
- Fishing license
An adult Base License holder who is at least 21 years old must accompany a child hunting with a Mentored Youth Hunting License.
Base Apprentice License (Ages 10–16)
The Base Apprentice License (APC) is for children ages 10–16 who have not completed their hunter education requirements. The APC allows the child to hunt small game and purchase species-specific licenses for deer and turkey.
The APC currently costs $6.00 per year and can only be purchased for two license years before the youth is required to complete a hunter safety course.
Junior Base License (Ages 10–16)
Hunters ages 10–16 who have completed their hunter education requirements can purchase a Junior Base License. This license currently costs $6.00 and allows for the purchase of additional species-specific licenses for deer and turkey.
Get Hunter Safety Certified Before Hunting in Michigan
Regardless of which youth hunting license is required, giving young hunters proper education is critical to safety and success in the field. Partnering youth with a licensed, experienced adult mentor can provide valuable experience and guidance in firearms safety and ethical hunting.
Hunter education courses can also help new hunters reinforce safe habits and responsible decision-making skills. Courses like ours at ilearntohunt teach vital basics, such as conservation, first aid, shot placement, and Michigan's hunting regulations and seasons.
After completing the online component and Michigan's mandatory in-person field day, you'll be on your way to enjoyable, successful hunts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to questions about the Michigan youth hunting license!
Q: How to get a youth hunting license in Michigan?
A: Based on the youth hunter's age and hunter safety education status, a parent or guardian can purchase the appropriate youth hunting license through the Michigan DNR eLicense system, Hunt Fish app, or authorized retailers.
Q: Can a 13 year old hunt alone in Michigan?
A: No. A 13 year old can only hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult age 18 or older. If the youth has an apprentice license, the adult must be 21 or older.
Q: How old do you have to be to take a youth hunter hunting?
A: An adult aged 18 with a valid hunting license can accompany a youth aged 10–16 if the younger hunter has a Junior Base License. For hunters 9 years old or younger with a Mentored Youth License, the licensed adult must be at least 21 years old.
Q: Does Michigan have a youth hunting season?
A: Michigan offers a special two-day Liberty Hunt for youth hunters in September.
Q: Can you shoot bucks in a youth hunt in Michigan?
A: Depending on the season, weapon, and regional regulations, youth hunters can hunt and harvest a buck if they have the appropriate deer license.
