As firearms deer season approaches, sales of hunting licenses remain steady, according to state officials.

According to Michigan DNR statistics, 456,100 people purchased hunting licenses, while 1.14 million purchased fishing licenses through October 31, 2024.

Hunting license purchases were basically flat, with 19 fewer sales than those purchased during the same period in 2023 (456,119). Fishing license purchases are up nearly 2 percent from the 1.12 million purchased in 2023.

• Hunters and anglers age 65 and older purchased 88,305 hunting licenses and 215,107 fishing licenses.
• Hunting license purchases increased 3.51% from 2023 in that demographic, fishing license purchases increased 3.6% from 2023.

The first purchases of hunting and fishing licenses were mixed.

• There was a slight decrease of 0.07% for first-time hunting license purchases to 39,759.
• 263,119 first-time fishing license purchases saw an increase of 4.31%.

An increase in women purchasing hunting and fishing licenses has been observed:

• 44,973 women bought hunting licenses, up 1.91%.
• 240,073 women bought fishing licenses, up 1.76%.

Nonresident hunting license purchases increased to 23,219, a 4 percent increase. Out-of-state visitors bought about 220,565 fishing licenses, an increase of 3.67 percent.

Revenue from license and equipment sales contributes more than $95 million annually to conservation efforts that help protect Michigan’s wildlife, habitats and environment.