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Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Overview

The main purpose of the hunter education course is to train safe, legal and responsible hunters. Topics covered include understanding wildlife management, wildlife identification, ethics, laws and regulations, and firearms safety and handling.

Additional Information

Description

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. 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 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian.
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The main purpose of the hunter education field day course is to provide an alternative to the traditional course. This course is the same as the traditional hunter education course; however, the classroom portion is completed by either, online training or as a take home study format. 

Additional Information

Description

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 different formats for successfully completing the field day course. Students must take either, the online course or the take home study, then complete the field day in order 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 https://www.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 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The bow hunter education safety certificate cannot be used to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  Individuals must complete a Michigan hunter education course (traditional or field day) to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  

The main purpose of the bow hunter education course is to build upon the basic hunter education course concentrating on safe and responsible bow hunting. Topics include bow hunting techniques, archery equipment, tree stand safety, ethics, and laws and regulations. 

Additional Information

Description

Bow hunter education is an optional course offered to hunters to continue their education above and beyond the required Michigan hunter education course. Bow hunter education is not required in Michigan; however, it is required in other states and this certification may satisfy other states requirements. Michigan’s bow 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 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The bow hunter education safety certificate cannot be used to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  Individuals must complete a Michigan hunter education course (traditional or field day) to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  

The main purpose of the bow hunter education course is to build upon the basic hunter education course concentrating on safe and responsible bow hunting. Topics include bow hunting techniques, archery equipment, tree stand safety, ethics, and laws and regulations. 

Additional Information

Description

Bow hunter education is an optional course offered to hunters to continue their education above and beyond the required Michigan hunter education course. Bow hunter education is not required in Michigan; however, it is required in other states and this certification may satisfy other states requirements. There are two different formats for successfully completing the field day course. Students must take either, the online course or the take home study, then complete the field day in order to earn a bow 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 https://www.bowhunter-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 bow 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 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

This course is a combination of the traditional hunter education and the traditional bow hunter education courses. Students will receive both hunter education certification and bow hunter education certification. The main purpose of the combination course is to provide a convenient option for students wanting both courses. Topics covered include understanding wildlife management, wildlife identification, ethics, laws and regulations, firearms safety and handling, bow hunting techniques, archery equipment, and tree stand safety. 

Additional Information

Description

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. Michigan’s combination 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 16 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 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The main purpose of the combination field day course is to provide an alternative to the traditional combination course. This course is the same as the traditional combination course; however, the classroom portion is completed by either, online training or as a take home study format. Students will receive both hunter education certification and bow hunter education certification. The main purpose of the combination course is to provide a convenient option for students wanting both courses. 

Additional Information

Description

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 different formats for successfully completing the combination field day course. Students must take either, the online course or the take home study, then complete the field day in order to earn both safety certificates. Students choosing the online course followed by the field day must present a copy of their certificates of completion (vouchers) of the online courses at the start of the field day. The online courses are fee based and can be taken at https://www.hunter-ed.com/michigan/ for hunter and https://www.bowhunter-ed.com/michigan/ for bow. The second format is take home study. Students register for the field day and pick up the student manuals, 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 combination course is taught by a dedicated core of certified volunteer instructors and Michigan conservation officers. 

About the Field Day: 
  • In person field day 
  • 7 hours minimum 
  • Written tests (80% or better to pass) and practice assessments (pass/fail) 
  • Maximum $10 fee 
  • No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The trapper education safety certificate cannot be used to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  Individuals must complete a Michigan hunter education course (traditional or field day) to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  

The main purpose of the trapper education course is to help individuals acquire the knowledge, skill, attitude, and judgment to selectively and responsibly trap furbearing animals. Topics covered include understanding wildlife management, wildlife identification, various trapping techniques, ethics, laws and regulations. 

Additional Information

Description

Trapper education is not required in Michigan; however, some states and provinces require a valid trapper education certification. The Michigan trapper education certificate meets the trapper education requirements of those states and provinces. Michigan’s trapper 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 8 hours 
  • Written test (80% or better to pass) and practice assessment (pass/fail) 
  • Maximum $10 fee 
  • No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The trapper education safety certificate cannot be used to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  Individuals must complete a Michigan hunter education course (traditional or field day) to purchase a hunting license in Michigan.  

The main purpose of the trapper education course is to help individuals acquire the knowledge, skill, attitude, and judgment to selectively and responsibly trap furbearing animals. Topics covered include understanding wildlife management, wildlife identification, various trapping techniques, ethics, laws and regulations. 

Additional Information

Description

Trapper education is not required in Michigan; however, some states and provinces require a valid trapper education certification. The Michigan trapper education certificate meets the trapper education requirements of those states and provinces. There are two different formats for successfully completing the field day course. Students must take either, the online course or the take home study, then complete the field day in order to earn a bow 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 can be taken at https://conservationlearning.org/mod/page/view.php?id=3470. 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 trapper 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 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The main purpose of the boater safety education course is to train knowledgeable, safe and responsible boaters. Topics covered include general boating and water safety, navigational rules, causes and prevention of crashes, operation and fueling techniques, environmental concerns and reporting responsibility. 

Additional Information

Description

Any motorized boat operator born after June 30, 1996, is required by law to pass an approved boater safety course and to carry a boater safety certificate. In addition, boater education is also required for all PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Michigan’s boater education course is taught by a dedicated core of certified volunteer instructors, sheriff’s deputies and Michigan conservation officers. 

About the Class: 
  • In person, traditional classroom setting 
  • Written test (75% or better to pass) 
  • No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The main purpose of the snowmobile safety education course is to educate and develop safe, knowledgeable and responsible snowmobile owners and operators. Topics covered include description of machine controls, safety and operating procedures, loading and towing procedures, understanding trail operation, laws and regulations, and environmental concerns and reporting responsibility. 

Additional Information

Description

Any snowmobile operator 12 to 16 years old are required to pass an approved snowmobile safety course to operate without adult supervision or to cross a roadway. 

About the Class: 
  • In person, traditional classroom setting 
  • Written test (75% or better to pass) 
  • No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

The main purpose of the ORV safety education course is to educate and develop safe, knowledgeable and responsible ORV owners and operators. Topics covered include correct riding techniques, protective equipment, understanding terrain and trail operation, laws and regulations, causes and prevention of crashes, and environmental concerns and reporting responsibility. 

Additional Information

Description

Any ORV operator under 16 years old riding on public or private land is required to pass an approved ORV safety course. Michigan’s ORV education course is taught by a dedicated core of certified volunteer instructors, sheriff’s deputies and Michigan conservation officers. 

About the Class: 
  • In person, traditional classroom setting 
  • 6 hours minimum class time 
  • Written test (75% or better to pass) 
  • No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian. 
Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Overview

This training is only for certified instructors.  If you are interested in becoming a certified instructor, apply online at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/get-involved/volunteer-recreational-safety-instructor.  

Additional Information

Description

Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources