Michigan Hunting and Fishing Information for Persons with Disabilities

Several laws, regulating fishing and hunting in Michigan, contain specific provisions designed to assist hunters and anglers with disabilities to enjoy Michigan's recreational resources. This pamphlet is a brief summary of these regulations. For more detailed information contact any Michigan Department of Natural Resources Office.

Hunt from a Standing Vehicle Permit

Michigan law authorizes the Department of issue permits to hunt from a standing motor vehicle to disabled persons who are unable to walk due to being a paraplegic or an amputee, or being permanently disabled and unable to walk because of other disease or injury.

Once issued, this permit grants a properly licensed person the privilege of sitting in or upon a stationary motor vehicle with a loaded firearm or strung bow while hunting. It further authorizes a hunter to take a deer of either sex anywhere in the state as long as the season is open.

A hunt from a motorized vehicle permit expires on March 31 of the fifth calendar year following the date of issue.

Permit to Hunt With a Modified Bow

The Department may issue a permit to hunt with a modified bow to a permanently disabled person who has full use of only one arm and who upon investigation is unable to hold, aim and shoot a bow.

This permit authorized a person to affix to the bow devices which will allow the hunter to shoot a bow in a manner not presently permitted under current law. These devices are most frequently something which will hold the bow at full draw until ready to shoot. This device cannot convert the bow into a crossbow.

Permit to Hunt with a Crossbow

Recent amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Act permit qualified persons to hunt game with a crossbow. To qualify for a crossbow permit, a person must have a licensed physician certify that the applicant is at least 80% permanently disabled, in combination or individual impairment, of hand, elbow and/or shoulder due to amputation or spinal cord injury. Persons with permanent disabilities due to other reasons must be at least 80% disabled and have the level of their disabilities confirmed by a qualified physical therapist and approve by a licensed physician.

Off Road Vehicle Handicapped Permit

Persons that meet the following criteria are permitted to operate licensed ATBs/ORVs less than 50 inches wide on all forest roads on state lands (including those not posted open):

Those person issued a valid temporary or permanent handicapper paring permit issued by the Michigan Department of State.
Those persons holding Permits to Hunt From A Standing Vehicle.
Those persons experiencing the following disabilities; Loss of 1 or both legs or feet; Inability to ambulate more than 200 feet without having to stop and rest; Inability to ambulate without prolonged use of wheelchair, walker, crutches, braces or other devices to aide mobility; Lung disease from which the person's expiratory volume for 1 second is less than 1 liter when measured by spirometry; Lung disease from which the person's arterial oxygen is less than 60 mm/hg of room air at rest; Cardiovascular disease from which the person measures between 3 and 4 on the New York heart classification scale; Cardiovascular disease from which a marked limitation of physical activity causes fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or anginal pain; Other disease or disorder including but not limited to severe arthritis, or a neurological-orthopedic impairment that creates a sever mobility limitation.

Person with obvious severe disabilities (i.e paraplegics, quadriplegic).

Operation of the ORV is subject to licensing and all other requirements and restrictions, and shall only be at a speed and in a manner which does not degrade the environment. These privileges may extend to one companion of the handicapper serving as operator or passenger of the handicapped's ORV.

Fishing License Exemption for Persons with Mental Disabilities.

The Fishing and Hunting License Act provides for permits to be issued which authorizes a mentally retarded person or resident of a home for the aged to fish without a license if the mentally retarded person or resident of the licensed home for the aged is a member of a group accompanied by 1 or more adults. These supervising adults must possess a valid license to fish.

Permits for the Legally Blind Resident

A resident who is legally blind may purchase a senior citizen fishing license, also may obtain a permit to hunt with a laser sight mounted on there Firearms & Bows! Proof of blindness must be presented to the license agent by the qualified blind person.

The person who purchases such license must have, on his person when fishing, proof of blindness and furnish this proof to a law enforcement officer upon request.

Senior Citizen Hunting/Fishing License for Veterans with 100% Disability

A resident who has been determined by the veterans administration of the federal government to be permanently and totally disabled and entitled to veteran benefits at the 100% rate for a disability other than blindness, is eligible to purchase a senior citizen hunting or fishing license. Proof of 100% veterans benefits due to disability must be presented to the license agent by the qualified person.

The licensee, when hunting or fishing, must possess proof of eligibility and must furnish proof upon request of a law enforcement officer.

Equal Rights for Natural Resource Users

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunities for employment and for access to Michigan natural resources. State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, age, marital status, height and weight. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program activity or facility, please write the Michigan DNR Equal Opportunity Office, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909; The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, 1200 6th Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226; or the Office of Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 20240.

How to Apply for a Special Permit

Several of the foregoing require special permits. Applications for these permits are available without cost at any Department of Natural Resources Office.

*Other information which could be included: regional and district offices; TDD phone numbers; contact information numbers for major land (facilities) management division: Parks, Forest Management, Wildlife, Fisheries, Recreation.