Is it too late to get deer hunting license? How to get a tag before opener

Michigan hunters can still get a deer hunting license before the start of firearm season, but they'll need to purchase it in person; licenses purchased online will not arrive in time for Saturday's opener. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to stop by their local retail sales location soon as stores that issue licenses can print kill tags on the spot. What to know. How much do deer hunting licenses cost? Deer license costs vary based on age and residency. Youth 9-and-under licenses range from no cost to $7.50.Youth 10-to-16 licenses range from no cost to $40 for a combo license.Resident 16-to-64 licenses range from $11 to $76, plus other fees.Resident 65-plus licenses $5 to $48, plus other fees.Nonresident 17-and-older licenses are $151 to $266, plus other fees. Where can I find hunting lands near me? Generally, you can hunt on land you own if it meets safety regulations. You also can hunt on other private land, with permission. You can find places to hunt by going to Michigan.gov/MiHunt. Some state parks allow hunting, but national wildlife refuges are closed to hunting unless expressly permitted. When does rifle season open in Michigan? Dates for upcoming 2025-26 deer hunting seasons in Michigan: Archery: Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 2026Extended Archery: Through Jan. 31, 2026, for select counties: Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair (except DMU 174), Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne.Regular firearm: Nov. 15-30Muzzleloading: Dec. 5-14Late antlerless firearm: Dec. 15 to Jan. 1, 2026, on private and public lands in Lower Peninsula DMUs (excluding 115, 145 and 245).Extended late antlerless firearm: Jan. 2-11, 2026 Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.