In a move to support active-duty military members who are residents of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced in 2024 that they will offer free annual fishing and hunting licenses to those who enlisted as Michigan residents and have maintained their residency status.
Eligibility Requirements for Free Fishing and Hunting Licenses
To qualify for the free licenses, active-duty military members must meet the following criteria:
Enlisted as a Michigan resident at the time of enlistment
Maintained Michigan residency status for the purposes of obtaining a driver’s license or voting
Present proof of military status when applying for the free license, such as military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, or other evidence verifying their active-duty status
The free licenses are available at DNR Customer Service Centers and at license retail outlets statewide. 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.
Previously, Military Members Paid a Reduced Rate for Licenses
Before the change in 2024, active-duty military members who were Michigan residents paid only $1 for a resident all-species fishing license or hunting license not requiring a lottery. The new policy is part of Public Act 21 of 2013, which has been updated to offer the licenses for free starting in 2024.
Non-Resident Active-Duty Military Members Can Purchase Licenses at Resident Rates
Active-duty military members who are not Michigan residents but are officially stationed in Michigan can purchase all hunting and fishing licenses at Michigan resident rates, as has been allowed in the past. This policy remains unchanged in 2024.
Disabled Veterans Can Receive Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses
In addition to the free licenses for active-duty military members, disabled veterans in Michigan can also receive hunting and fishing licenses for free. To be eligible, a veteran must be deemed totally and permanently disabled or individually unemployable by the VA. When applying for the license, the veteran must present documented proof of their disabled veteran status and carry such proof when using the license.
However, a bill currently being considered by the Michigan House of Representatives aims to expand this benefit to all Michigan veterans, regardless of their disability status. If passed, this bill would allow all Michigan veterans to obtain non-lottery fishing licenses for free, making the outdoors more accessible to a wider range of veterans.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency have collaborated to offer various recreation opportunities for veterans and other visitors, including accessible campgrounds, cabins, hunting, fishing, trails, and beaches. They also offer alternative camping options for veterans seeking a quieter Fourth of July holiday, encouraging campers to refrain from setting off fireworks in participating state parks during this special weekend.