In the crisp woods of Michigan, where generations of hunters have chased deer and bear through falling leaves and early snow, a quiet change might be coming. The state's Natural Resources Commission is looking at letting hunters ditch the old paper kill tags for a digital version on their phones. It's a move that could make things easier for folks who've spent decades in the field, but it's also stirring up some talk around the campfire about whether it's the right path forward.
Right now, if you're out there with a license to take down a deer or other game, you've got to carry a physical tag. You buy it at a store or get it mailed, and after the shot, you notch it up with your knife—marking the date, time, and all that—and stick it right on the animal. It's been that way for as long as most guys can remember, a ritual that's part of the hunt itself. But the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sees room for improvement. In a recent memo, they pointed out how the costs of printing those tags, the hardware involved, and dealing with agents add up. Plus, it's not always convenient for hunters who might forget one or deal with the hassle of mailing.
The DNR has already dipped a toe in the water with this idea. Over the last three turkey seasons, they tested electronic tags, and about 18% of hunters went for it. No big glitches, and it seemed to work smooth enough. Now, they're pushing to expand it. If the commission gives the nod, hunters could use a mobile app for kill tags on deer, bobcat, bear, fisher, marten, and otter. The best part? You wouldn't need cell service or Wi-Fi out in the sticks to update the tag after a kill. Just pull up the app, fill it out right then, and you're good.
Of course, nobody's forcing the switch. Paper tags stick around for those who want them. It all depends on how you buy your license. Grab it through the Hunt Fish app, and you get the electronic version automatically. Head to a license agent in person or buy an eLicense online, and you'll still get the classic paper one. That way, it's up to the hunter to pick what fits their style.
Not everyone's sold on the idea, though. Take Jim Kralik, a guy from Conway Township who's been hunting for over 50 years. He's seen his share of sunrises from a tree stand, and he figures electronic tags could open the door to folks bending the rules. "An avenue for violation of existing game laws for the limited convenience of not carrying a physical tag," is how he put it. It's a fair point—out in the wild, who's watching? The DNR says they've got that covered. Hunters still have to tag the animal right away, and if a conservation officer rolls up, you just open the app and show it. Simple as that.
There's another wrinkle when you leave the animal unattended, like hanging it on a buckpole or having a buddy haul it out. With electronic tags, you'd slap on a sturdy tag—something durable—with your license number in permanent ink. You can pull it off once the game's at home, the processor, or the taxidermist. It's an extra step, but it keeps things legal.
Then there's Steve Cross from Manton, who takes his harvest to an Amish butcher every year. He wonders if places like that, which might not be all tech-ed up, can handle the change. The DNR gets it and plans to reach out to processors, letting them know about the eHarvest option and what to expect from customers bringing in game without the usual paper tag.
On the flip side, plenty of hunters are ready to embrace the tech. More than two dozen states are already doing it—places like Montana, Ohio, Oregon, and right next door in Wisconsin. Graham Sloan from Bloomfield Hills has hunted up there for years and swears by it. "The first year when they transitioned to the new system was a little bit different not putting the tag on the deer, but the convenience can’t be beat," he said. "I’m looking forward to Michigan going to electronic deer tags." It's those little things that add up after a long day in the cold.
Erik Schnelle, hunting out of the Belding area, echoes that. He's tired of fumbling in the dark or bad weather. "Not having to cut little triangles out of the license in the dark, in rain, snow and cold with a hunting knife," would be a game-changer for him. Imagine wrapping up a successful hunt without that extra hassle—more time to enjoy the moment or get back to camp for a hot coffee and stories with the guys.
This isn't happening in a vacuum. Michigan's deer season is rolling strong, with hunters already bagging over 50,000 deer since opening weekend. That's despite worries about diseases like chronic wasting disease hanging over things. And let's not forget the traditions that keep guys coming back year after year. There's one deer camp in the state that's been going for decades, deep in the forest, where families pass down rifles and tips from father to son. Will digital tags mess with that? Or just make it easier to focus on what matters—the hunt, the harvest, and the memories?
The Natural Resources Commission is set to vote on this at their January meeting. If it passes, electronic tags roll out for those animals starting in the 2026 seasons, with licenses going on sale March 1. It's a small shift, but for hunters who've logged countless miles in Michigan's backcountry, it could mean less paperwork and more time doing what they love. Whether you're a tech guy or a traditionalist, it's worth keeping an eye on how this plays out. After all, hunting's about adapting to the woods—and maybe now to the smartphone too.
