SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS ARE encouraged to send photos to The Daily News at news@ironmountaindailynews.com. Please include the hunter’s name, community of residence and, at a minimum, the number of antler points and the county in which the deer was taken. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo)

Hunters across Michigan are reminded that deer harvest reporting is once again required this hunting season.

Failure to comply is punishable by a one-time fine of $150. Hunters are required to report a successful harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer, such as to a processor.

In a news release, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said online reporting can be completed in about five minutes or less.

“We know Michigan’s deer hunters care about quality hunting opportunities and healthy deer herds,” said Chad Stewart, DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist. “Each online harvest report takes just a few minutes but provides critical information about hunting experiences and deer abundance all over the state. That means better management recommendations for Michigan’s deer population.”

Now in its second year, mandatory harvest reporting of all deer is designed to provide effective data for deer management and conservation. In 2022, according to the DNR, 208,408 hunters submitted a harvest report, and nearly 83% of those hunters were able to complete their report in under five minutes.

Last year, the DNR began requiring hunters to report their deer harvest online. The initial fine for failing to report was up to $500 plus a misdemeanor resulting in up to 90 days in jail. Officers, however, said they would emphasize education over enforcement of the new requirement.

In July, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that reduced the penalty to a $150 fine.

In advance of Wednesday’s firearm season opener, the DNR offered these tips for reporting a harvest:

— Download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. The easiest and most convenient way to report a deer harvest is by downloading the official Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app, signing in or creating an account, then entering the harvest report information.

— Have your hunting license/kill tag number ready. Before reporting a harvest, make sure to have the hunting license/kill tag number for the tag you physically placed on the deer. Taking a picture of the tag with a smartphone can provide a helpful reference.

— Record the confirmation number. After submitting a harvest report, take a moment to wait for the confirmation number to appear, then be sure to write it down or capture a screen shot for your records.

Hunters also have the option to report their harvest online by using a computer or mobile device to access the reporting webpage at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport. To begin the report, enter your hunting license/kill tag license number and your date of birth.

If you happen to misplace your hunting license/kill tag number, you can log in to eLicense using your driver’s license and birthdate, or your user ID and password. Then, click on the Harvest Report tab to view the available tags for reporting. If you do not have an existing account, you will have the opportunity to create one to enter a harvest report.

For more information, go to the DNR deer harvest reporting webpage.

If you require assistance or have questions, contact a local DNR customer service center or the main DNR Wildlife Division line at 517-284-WILD (9453) during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.