What Records Must Michigan Taxidermists Keep for Deer?

By MountChief Editorial Team|Updated Mar 2026

The short answer: Michigan requires commercial taxidermists to maintain a possession record for each specimen received, including the customer's name, address, hunting license number, kill tag number, species, and date received. Records must be kept for at least three years and be available for inspection by a conservation officer.

TL;DR

Michigan DNR requires taxidermists to maintain records for all wildlife received, with deer requiring license number and harvest unit.
Michigan has documented CWD in the Lower Peninsula, making harvest unit documentation critical.
Michigan taxidermist permits are issued by the DNR and must be current before accepting specimens.
Records must be retained for the DNR-specified minimum period and available for inspection.
Michigan deer season produces some of the highest intake volumes in the country each November.

Michigan's Commercial Taxidermist Requirements

Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) and the associated rules under the Michigan Department of Natural Resources govern commercial taxidermist licensing and recordkeeping.

Who needs a commercial taxidermist license in Michigan:

Any person who accepts compensation, including deposits, for taxidermy work on another person's specimen must be licensed as a commercial taxidermist by the Michigan DNR.

License renewal: Annual.

Application through: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division.

What Records Michigan Requires for Each Deer

For every white-tailed deer (or other deer species) you receive from a customer, maintain:

Customer full name and address
Customer hunting license number, photograph the license at intake
Kill tag number, the locking kill tag attached to the deer at harvest. Photograph the tag and confirm the number is legible.
Date received
Species (whitetail deer, mule deer, etc.)
Sex of the animal
Location of harvest (state, county), especially important for CWD zone documentation

For deer from CWD surveillance or restricted zones in Michigan, additional documentation of the harvest location and transport compliance may be required.

CWD Documentation in Michigan

Michigan has CWD-affected areas in several counties. When a customer brings a deer from a CWD-positive or surveillance zone, document:

County of harvest
Whether the carcass was handled in compliance with Michigan's CWD transport rules (typically: whole heads may be transported to a licensed taxidermist within Michigan, but interstate transport restrictions apply)
Customer's statement of compliance with applicable CWD regulations

Stay current with Michigan DNR's CWD zone maps, they're updated annually and the restricted areas have expanded in recent years.

Record Retention

Michigan typically requires commercial taxidermist records to be maintained for at least three years from the date of transaction. Best practice: keep all records for five years.

Maintain records in a format that can be produced quickly during a conservation officer inspection. A digital system like MountChief meets this requirement, records are searchable by customer name, date, or tag number and can be produced immediately.

Conservation Officer Inspections

Michigan DNR conservation officers have the authority to inspect a licensed taxidermist's premises and records. You're required to allow access and produce records on request.

When an officer arrives:

Provide your Michigan commercial taxidermist license
Offer your current possession log (all specimens currently in your shop)
Make records for any specific specimen available as requested

A current possession log in MountChief generates in under two minutes.

FAQ

Does Michigan require a specific form for taxidermist records?

Michigan does not require a specific pre-printed state form for taxidermist records, you maintain your own records as long as they contain the required information. Digital records are acceptable. Whatever system you use must be organized and accessible for inspection.

What if a Michigan customer can't provide their kill tag at intake?

Don't start work without documentation. Ask the customer to provide the tag or a copy before you begin. If the tag was lost, the customer should contact the Michigan DNR for guidance on replacement documentation. Accepting a specimen without tag documentation puts you in possession of potentially undocumented wildlife.

Do Michigan taxidermists need to document deer from out-of-state customers?

Yes. If an out-of-state hunter brings a deer to your Michigan shop, you still need their hunting license number and tag information, from whatever state they harvested the deer. Document the harvest state clearly. Be aware that some states prohibit transport of deer parts out of CWD zones, the hunter is primarily responsible, but your records should show the harvest location.

What are the CWD documentation requirements for Michigan deer intake records?

Michigan has a CWD-endemic zone in the Lower Peninsula. For deer harvested in or near these zones, document the exact county and Deer Management Unit of harvest. Michigan DNR may require additional documentation or impose transport restrictions on deer parts from CWD-positive areas. Check current DNR CWD guidance before each season.

How many deer can a Michigan taxidermist expect during firearms season?

Michigan consistently produces over 300,000 deer harvested annually. A mid-volume Michigan shop can expect significant intake volume concentrated in the two-week November firearms season. Having digital intake systems operational before the November 15 opener is essential for keeping up with the pace.

Does Michigan require taxidermists to report to the DNR during deer season?

Michigan taxidermists are primarily required to maintain records available for inspection. Some CWD-related reporting obligations may apply depending on harvest location. Verify current reporting requirements with the Michigan DNR before each season.

Try These Free Tools

Put these insights into practice with our free calculators and planners:

Sources

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance
US Fish & Wildlife Service

Get Started with MountChief

Michigan deer season is one of the highest-volume periods any taxidermist faces, and complete records for every intake protect you through DNR compliance reviews all year. MountChief handles intake in about 3 minutes per job, flags CWD-zone specimens automatically, and keeps all records organized and ready for inspection. Try MountChief before firearms season opens.