Free fishing and hunting licenses for military members

Active-duty military members who enlisted as Michigan residents and have maintained residence status can now obtain annual Michigan fishing or hunting licenses free of charge, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today.  

To qualify, persons must be active-duty U.S. military members and, at the time of enlistment, must have been residents of Michigan and must have maintained residence status for the purposes of obtaining a driver’s license or voting. These individuals may receive, free of charge, a resident military all-species fishing license or any hunting license for which a lottery is not required.

Applicants must present proof of military status when applying for the free license. Proof of military status may include military I.D., leave papers, duty papers, military orders or other evidence verifying that the applicant is a member of the military. The licenses are available at DNR Customer Service Centers and at license retail outlets statewide.

Previously, military members paid $1 for a resident all-species fishing license or hunting license not requiring a lottery. The change is part of Public Act 21 of 2013.

Military members receiving a free fishing or hunting license must present the license, along with proof of military status, if requested by a conservation officer.

As always, non-resident, active-duty military personnel officially stationed in Michigan may purchase all hunting and fishing licenses at Michigan resident rates.