The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expanding its eHarvest digital tagging system to include most species that require a kill tag, offering a modern and convenient alternative to traditional paper tags for hunters across the state.
Beginning with the 2026 license year, hunters harvesting deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, fisher and marten will have the option to tag harvested animals digitally through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. The digital tagging expansion follows successful pilot programs for turkey eHarvest tagging in 2024 and 2025 and represents another step in Michigan’s effort to modernize hunting services and improve customer convenience.
Hunters should ensure they have the most recent version of the app to take advantage of the new eHarvest tags. The DNR recommends going to the app store on their device and searching for Michigan DNR Hunt Fish – if the app store indicates “get” or “install,” they will need to download the new version.
Digital eHarvest tags are optional. Traditional paper tags will continue to be available through eLicense and at retail agents for hunters who prefer them.
Kill tags purchased through the app will be digital eHarvest tags, and those purchased via eLicense or at a retail agent will be traditional paper tags.
“Expanding the eHarvest system improves hunter convenience, increases efficiency and reduces administrative costs while allowing us to direct more resources toward wildlife conservation and habitat management,” said Tom Weston, DNR chief technology officer.
Key benefits of digital eHarvest tags
Among the benefits digital eHarvest tags offer hunters, they are:
- Simple to use. No tagging of the animal is required as long as the licensed hunter is in possession of the animal, which includes when the animal is transferred directly to a processor or taxidermist or stored at the hunter’s primary residence. Hunters only need to create a physical tag when they are not in possession of a harvested animal. When the animal leaves the licensed hunter’s possession, a durable tag with the license number clearly written should be attached to it.
- Bear, bobcat, fisher, marten and otter are still required to be sealed at a DNR office.
- Immediate for validation. Digital tag validation is immediately recorded and timestamped on the user’s device. Cellular service is not required at the time of validation.
- Instant and convenient. Digital eHarvest tags are available 24 hours a day through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.
- Cost-effective. Reduced printing and distribution costs help keep more funding available for conservation programs.
- Dependable for enforcement. Immediate validation requirements remain in place, ensuring continued compliance and data accuracy.
By expanding eHarvest tagging, Michigan joins a growing number of states adopting digital tagging systems to improve convenience and data accuracy while maintaining strong enforcement standards.
Digital tag options will be available beginning March 1 through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. Additional information is available on the DNR eHarvest tags webpage, which can be found at Michigan.gov/DNRHuntFishApp.
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