Michigan Deer Hunting History

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Licenses 1950's Licenses 1960's Licenses/Patches 1972-1984 Licenses/Patches 1985-1994 Licenses/Patches 1995-Present Duck Stamps

1929 Michigan Resident Deer License This is the metal button that would be worn on the jacket of the hunter to show that he had a license. This was system used before backtags. License Courtsey of Mark McKie

1931 Michigan License to Hunt Deer This is the License and the Coupon. "This coupon authorizes any person named in said license to ship to any point in Michigan, one male deer or part thereof, having the coupon and metal seal attached." This License was purchased by Alfred Hellenga of 3 Oaks Michigan on November 9, 1931. License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon.
1931 Michigan Resident Deer License

1932 Michigan License to Hunt Deer This is the License and Coupon. The License cost $3.50 and "...is authorized to hunt for, and kill with firearms, one bear and one male deer, with antlers extending not less then three inches above the skull, but only at the time and places and in the manner provided by law." This License was purchased by Alfred Hellenga of 3 Oaks Michigan on November 10, 1932. License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon.

1950 Michigan Resident Hunting License

1953 Michigan Resident Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1954 Michigan Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon Michigan Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1955 Michigan Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon Michigan Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1956 Michigan Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon Michigan Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1957 Michigan Resident Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1958 Michigan Resident Hunting License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon

1959 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag Licenses Courtsey of Jim Muldoon Hunting License Back Tag Bow & Arrow Deer License Licenses Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick
Top of Page Licenses 1950's Licenses/Patches 1972-1984 Licenses/Patches 1985-1994 Licenses/Patches 1995-Present Duck Stamps

1960 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick Hunting License Back Tag License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon

1961 Michigan Resident Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1962 Michigan Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon Michigan Hunting License License Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1963 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag Hunting License Back Tag Licenses Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1964 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag Hunting License Back Tag Licenses Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1965 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag Hunting License Back Tag Licenses Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1966 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag Hunting License Back Tag Licenses Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1967 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag Resident Hunting License Back Tag Licenses Courtsey of Gordon Krolzick

1968 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag License Courtsey of Keith Kirk In 1968 there was a design change for the hunting licenses. The license was considerably smaller, and a passbook was attached to the back tag. The kill tag changed from a metal band to paper tag. The kill tag was also attached to the back tag and can be seen on right side of the image. A hole is punched through the tag so the hunter can attach the kill tag to the deer. The price for a Resident Deer License in 1968 was $4.85 plus a .25 cent issuing fee for a total of $5.10.
Top of Page Licenses 1950's Licenses 1960's Licenses/Patches 1985-1994 Licenses/Patches 1995-Present Duck Stamps

1972 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch This was the first year that Michigan introduced the Successful Deer Hunter Patch.

1973 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1974 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1975 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1976 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1977 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1978 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1979 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch

1980 Michigan Resident Bow and Arrow Deer License Back Tag (Note-The Passbook is attached to the Back Tag. The Passbock is not in the photo because it contains personal information)
1980 Michigan Resident Bow and Arrow Deer Kill Tag (Front)
1980 Michigan Resident Deer License Back Tag (Note-The Passbook is attached to the Back Tag. The Passbock is not in the photo because it contains personal information)
1980 Michigan Resident Small Game License Back Tag (Note-The Passbook is attached to the Back Tag. The Passbock is not in the photo because it contains personal information)
1980 Michigan Sportsman's License & Kill Tags
1980 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch. 1980 Federal Duck Stamp and Michigan Waterfowl Stamp. License and Stamps courtesy of David Chandler and Gordon Krolzick. The 1980 Sportsman's License is the same size as the other 1980 licenses. The Pass Book is attached to the Back Tag, which is seen in the image. The Pass Book is normally folded and hidden behind the Back Tag. The cost for a Sportman's License was $27.75.

1981 Michigan Back Tag, Kill Tags, and Passbook (Front)
1981 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch and Federal Duck Stamp. 1981 Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. Stamps, license, and kill tags are courtesy of David Chandler. In 1981 the cost for a Resident Deer License was $9.75, a Hunting License was $7.25, a Fishing License was $7.25, and Public Access Fee of $1.00.

1982 Michigan Back Tag Michigan Gun Kill Tag Michian Bow Kill Tag
1982 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch and Federal Duck Stamp. 1982 Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. Stamps are courtesy of David Chandler, and license and kill tags courtesy of Gordon Krolzick. In 1982 the cost for a Resident Deer License was $9.75, a Hunting License was $7.25, a Fishing License was $7.25, and Public Access Fee of $1.00.

1983 Michigan Back Tag
1983 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch and Federal Duck Stamp. 1983 Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. Stamps are courtesy of David Chandler, and license courtesy of Gordon Krolzick. In 1983 the cost for a Resident Deer License was $9.75, a Hunting License was $7.25, a Fishing License was $7.25, and Public Access Fee of $1.10.

1984 Michigan Back Tag Gun Kill Tag Successful Deer Hunter Patch
1984 Federal Duck Stamp, Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. License and Stamps courtesy of David Chandler. In 1984 the cost for a Resident Deer License was $9.75, a Hunting License was $7.25, a Fishing License was $7.25, and Public Access Fee of $1.10.
Top of Page Licenses 1950's Licenses 1960's Licenses/Patches 1972-1984 Licenses/Patches 1995-Present Duck Stamps

1985 Michigan Resident Hunting
1985 Deer Successful Deer Hunter Patch and Bear Management Cooperator Patch. 1985 Federal Duck Stamp and Michigan Waterfowl Stamp. 1985 was also the first year that the Bear Management Cooperator patch was introduced. License and Stamps courtesy of David Chandler. 1985 was a change in the design for Michigan Hunting Licenses. This was the first year that the passbook was seperate from the Back Tag. When a license was puchased the passbook was filled out. The hunter then choose what licenses they wanted to purchase and appropriate back tags were then taken out of a book (this can be seen on the left of the license were it was attached to the book). The passbook was linked to the Kill Tags and Back Tags through stickers that came with the passbook and were placed on the kill tag. Prior to 1985, the back tag was longer and was folded on a line next to the Report all Poaching phone number (this can be seen on the 1983 Back Tag). 1985 was the last year for the Michigan Hunting License, and it was replaced with the Michigan Resident Small Game in 1986. In 1985 the cost for a Resident Deer License was $9.75, a Hunting License was $7.25, a Fishing License was $7.25, and Public Access Fee of $1.10.

1986 Michigan Small Game License
1986 Deer and Bear Management Patches. 1986 Federal Duck Stamp, Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. License and Stamps courtesy of David Chandler. In 1986 the cost for the license was no longer displayed on the stamps or the in the Pass Book. The Michigan Small Game License was reintoduced.

1987 Michigan Small Game License and Bonus Antlerless Only Deer License
1987 Michigan Deer and Bear Management Patches. 1987 Michigan Waterfowl Stamp and Trout and Salmon Stamp. License and Stamps are courtesy of David Chandler. "1987 HUNTERS CHOICE DEER LICENSE. This license, along with a valid kill tag from the firearm deer hunting license listed on the reverse side of this card authorizes the person named in the address to TAKE ONE deer of either sex in the UNIT indicated either during the REGULAR FIREARM DEER SEASON: November 15 thru November 30 or during the MUZZLELOADER SEASON: If unit is in Zone 1 or 2: December 4 thru December 13. If unit is in Zone 3: December 11 thru December 20. You are authorized to take an extra ANTERLESS-ONLY deer in the listed unit. On the opposite side of this card is a special BONUS ANTERLESS-ONLY Kill Tag/Back Tag. This tag will serve as your official back tag and valid kill tag for your bonus deer." In 1987 the cost for a license was again placed on the stamps and in the Pass Book. The cost for a Resident Deer License was $12.85, a Small Game License was $9.85, and a Fishing License was $9.85. The Public Access Fee was discontinued. The Federal Duck Stamp's price was also increased to $10.00 from $7.50.

1988 Michigan Deer Gun Kill Tag
1988 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Patches. 1988 Federal Duck Stamp, Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. 1988 was the first year that Michigan introduced the Turkey Management Patch. Stamps and Licenses are courtesy of David Chandler. The Cost for a Resident Deer License was $12.85, a Small Game License was $9.85, and a Fishing License was $9.85.

1989 Michigan Small Game Deer Gun Kill Tag
1989 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Patches. 1989 Federal Duck Stamp, Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. Stamps and Licenses are courtesy of David Chandler. In 1989 the cost for a Resident Deer License was $12.85, a Small Game License was $9.85, and a Fishing License was $9.85. The cost for a Federal Duck Stamp increased to $12.50 from $10.00.

1990 Michigan Small Game and Deer Gun Kill Tag
1990 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Patches. 1990 Trout and Salmon Stamp. Stamps and Licenses are courtesy of David Chandler. The cost in 1990 for a Michigan Sportsperson was $45.35. The 1990 Sportsperson Small Game License is one of the smallest bag tags that Michigan produced. Below is a comparison of the size of the back tags.

1991 Michigan Deer Gun Kill Tag
1991 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Patches. 1991 Federal Duck Stamp and Michigan Waterfowl Stamp. Stamps and Licenses are courtesy of David Chandler. In 1991 the cost for a Michigan Sportsperson License was $45.35. The Federal Duck Stamp price increased from $15.00 from $12.50.

1992 Michigan Bow and Arrow Back Tag/Kill Tag Display in Middle of Back License courtesy of Markandchrislundin.com
1992 Michigan Bow and Arrow, Backside
1992 Michigan Small Game Deer Gun Kill Tag Licenses are courtesy of David Chandler
1992 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Patches. 1992 Federal Duck Stamp, Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and Trout and Salmon Stamp. Stamps are courtesy of David Chandler. The Cost in 1992 for a Resident Deer License was $12.85, a Small Game License was $9.85, and a Fishing License was $9.85.

1993 Michigan Small Game License, Resident Deer Gun License and Passbook Successful Deer Hunter Patch
1993 Michigan Bear and Turkey Management Patches. 1993 Michigan Trout and Salmon Stamp, Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, and a Federal Duck Stamp. Licenses and stamps are courtesy of David Chandler. Deer patch courtesy of J. Zehm. The Cost in 1993 for a Resident Deer License was $12.85, a Small Game License was $9.85, and a Fishing License was $9.85.

1994 Successful Deer Hunter Patch	Michigan Resident Deer Gun License
In 1994 Michigan celebrated it's 100th year of Deer Season. This was reflected on the Successful Deer Hunter Patch with the phrase "Michigan's 100th Deer Season". This was also reflected on the Kill Tag with the phase "Centennial 1895-1994 100 Years". 1994 Michigan Waterfowl Stamp, Bear Management Cooperator Patch, Trout and Salmon Stamp, and Wild Turkey Management Patch. Licenses and stamps are courtesy of David Chandler. The Cost in 1994 for a Resident Deer License was $12.85, a Small Game License was $9.85, and a Fishing License was $9.85.
Top of Page Licenses 1950's Licenses 1960's Licenses/Patches 1972-1984 Licenses/Patches 1985-1994 Duck Stamps

1995 Michigan Small Game License with Michigan Waterfowl Stamp Deer Management Cooperator and Successful Hunter Patch
1995 Michigan Bear and Turkey Management Patches. License and stamp are courtesy of David Chandler. In 1995 the licenses were again redesigned. The DNR eliminated the passbook and instead used a Michigan Drivers License Number, or a Michigan ID Card Number, or DNR Sportcard. This elimated the filling out of a passbook by the license agent. The DNR also eliminated the backtag. The new license is a sticker. The license or licenses purchased are then printed on the sticker. The cost in 1995 for a Small Game License was increased to $10.35 from $9.85. The Michigan Waterfowl Stamp also increased to $4.35 from $3.85.

1996 Michigan Sportsperson License Deer Management Cooperator and Successful Hunter Patch
1996 Michigan Sportsperson Firearm Deer Bear and Turkey Management Patches

1997 Michigan Deer Anterless Resident Public Land For DMU 155 Deer Management Cooperator Patch
1997 Michigan Bear and Turkey Management Patches. License courtesy of David Chandler, and Deer Cooperator Patch courtesy of J. Zehm. In 1997 the Deer Patch wording was changed from "Successful Deer Hunter" to a "Deer Management Cooperator". The Bear patch has always been worded as "Bear Management Cooperator". The Turkey patch has always been worded "Wild Turkey Management". The cost in 1997 for a Antlerless Deer License was $3.50.

1998 Michigan Deer Anterless Leftover Resident Private Land For DMU 153 Deer Management Cooperator Patch
1998 Michigan Bear and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches. License is courtesy of David Chandler. The cost in 1998 for a Antlerless Deer License was $3.50.

1999 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches

2000 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches

2001 Michigan License and Kill Tag Combo Regular Deer Res Deer Management Cooperator Patch
2001 Michigan Bear and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches. License is courtesy of J Zehm. The Combo Regular Deer Resident allowed the hunter to purchase two kill tags that could be used in Archery Season or Firearm Season. The 2nd Archery and 2nd Firearm Licenses were eliminated. The cost in 2001 for a Deer License was $14.00.

2002 Michigan Small Game License Waterfowl Hunting
2002 Michigan License and Kill Tag Combo Regular Deer Res
2002 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches. In 2002 a barcode was added to the top of the License and Kill Tag. At Deer Check Stations accross the state the DNR gather information on where the Deer was killed. This information is loaded into a PDA. According to the DNR "...Beginning in 2002, bar code scanners were added to the PDAs (Belonging to the DNR and used at Deer Check Stations), a barcode tag number was added to the disease tags and a barcode driver�s license or sport card number was added to the deer kill tags. This information can be scanned into the PDAs and later uploaded into a computer database. The number scanned from the kill tag can later be used to automatically look up the hunter�s name and address. The hunter receives the tear off portionon the disease tag with an identification number and will be contacted after the test results are completed (The DNR tests the Deer for TB and later CWD)." The cost in 2002 for a Deer License was $14.00, and a Small Game License was $14.00.

2003 Michigan License and Kill Tag Deer Firearm Resident
2003 Michigan Deer, Bear, and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches. The 2003 Michigan Licenses added animal grahpics to the licenses. A duck, bear, deer, and fish were positioned in each of the corners. The last animal grahpics were on the metal buttons prior to backtags. The cost in 2003 for a Deer License was $14.00.

2004 Michigan License Resident Military Small Game Dove Stamp
2004 Michigan Deer Successful Hunter and Management Cooperator Patch. Bear and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches. In 2004 the DNR allowed hunting of Doves. An additional Dove Stamp was added to the license. The Dove Stamp cost was $2.00. The Deer Patch brought back the phrase "Successful Hunter". The Deer Patch was now the "Deer Successful Hunter Management Cooperator" Patch.

2005 Michigan License and Kill Tag Resident Firearm Deer Michigan Deer Successful Hunter and Management Cooperator Patch and Turkey Management Cooperator Patch.

2006 Michigan License and Kill Tag Res Combo Regular Deer
2006 Michigan Deer Successful Hunter and Management Cooperator Patch. Bear and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches. License courtsey of J. Zehm. 2006 was the first year that DNR added their website address, www.michigan.gov/dnr, to the cooperator patches. The DNR's seal also changed on the cooperator patches with the added words of "Michigan Department of Natural Resources". The cost for a Deer License was $15.00

2007 Michigan Small Game License, Waterfowl Hunting, and Federal Duck Stamp In 2007 the DNR reintroduced the seal in the middle of the license. Michigan Deer and Turkey Cooperator Patches

2008 Michigan License and Kill Tag Deer Firearm Resident Deer Management Cooperator and Successful Hunter Patch and Turkey Cooperator Patch.

2009 Michigan Small Game License Deer Management Cooperator and Successful Hunter Patch

2010 Michigan Bear and Turkey Management Cooperator Patches In 2010 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources changed names to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The changes can been seen on the cooperator patches. The 2010 Bear Patch has the DNRE seal while the Turkey Patch has the older DNR Seal. Executive order 2009-45 states the DNRE's mission "...shall protect and conserve the air, water, and other natural resources of this state".

Size Orientation 1950's Back Tag is 9" x 3.25" 1966 Back Tag is 7.25" x 2.50" 2008 Kill Tag is 3.25" x 4"
Top of Page Licenses 1950's Licenses 1960's Licenses/Patches 1972-1984 Licenses/Patches 1985-1994 Licenses/Patches 1995-Present

Duck Stamps and Other Miscellaneous Stamps/Licenses
1916 Illinois Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon The Illinois Resident Hunting Licenses from 1916-1919 were purchased by Herman Wickham. The licenses were purchased in Coles County Illinois. The cost for a Resident Hunting License was $1.00. Handwritten on each corner was .50. It is possible that there was a discount on the licenses. On the back of each license was season dates and bag limits.
1917 Illinois Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon
1918 Illinois Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon
1919 Illinois Resident Deer License License Courtsey of Jim Muldoon In 1919 a Illinois Hunting License allowed the taking of Great-Horned Owls and Certain Hawks.
1957 Federal Duck Stamp
1958 Federal Duck Stamp
1979 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Stamp
1979 Federal Duck Stamp
1979 Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Public Access Stamp
1980 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Stamp
1980 Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Public Access Stamp
1982 Federal Duck Stamp
1982 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Stamp
1982 Michigan Trout and Salmon Stamp
2007 Federal Duck Stamp
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Licenses 1950's Licenses 1960's Licenses/Patches 1972-1984 Licenses/Patches 1985-1994 Licenses/Patches 1995-Present Duck Stamps

Michigan Historical/Vintage Hunting Licenses

Duck Stamps and Other Miscellaneous Stamps/Licenses