Hunting in Michigan: 3 Things for Landowners to Know About Hunting on Private Property

Michigan’s private landowners can allow hunters to enter their property and hunt in two ways: by giving verbal permission to a hunter or by participating in the state's Hunting Access Program. Both options allow the landowner to retain the ultimate say about when hunting may occur and which game may be harvested from their property.

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Private landowners should keep the following in mind when considering opening their land for a private hunt.

1. Hunting Access Program
The state of Michigan operates a program that leases private property for the purpose of hunting in areas near urban centers where public land is limited. The premise of the program is to provide hunters with more opportunity. While the state leases the land, the landowner retains the say in which animals may be taken from the land and when hunting may occur.

Landowners are not liable for any injuries to hunters on their lands unless the injuries were caused by the gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct of the landowner.

Hunters are required to be holders of a Michigan hunting license when hunting on HAP lands.

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2. Granting Permission
Landowners can grant permission to individual hunters verbally to hunt on their private property. Hunters should provide their name and contact information to the landowner and specify where they would like to hunt. Additionally, landowners may request that hunters notify them when they are done hunting as a safety measure for both parties involved.

3. Restrictions
Landowners have the right to restrict the activity that is taking place on their lands. If the landowner does not want dogs to run on the property, they can notify the hunter. Landowners also can make rules regarding what type of game is taken from the land being hunted, whether or not off-road vehicles are permitted and how many people can be in the hunting party. Hunters may be prosecuted for failure to follow the landowner’s restrictions.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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