For many Michigan families, hunting is a great personal tradition and a great way to share and enjoy Michigan’s forests, rivers and lakes.

One of the best ways to maintain these traditions is to be safe. Here are some important safety reminders and rules as you venture out to enjoy this Pure Michigan autumn season:

• Get your license: You can now become licensed online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. Hunting guides that include all rules and regulations are also online at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

• Wear orange: Michigan law requires that many hunters wear hunter orange garments to maintain their visibility. Michigan law states that if you are hunting in any season with a license that authorizes the use of a firearm, you must wear a hunter orange hat, cap, vest, jacket or rain gear, with a few exceptions. During the November firearm deer season, this law applies to all deer hunters, including those hunting with a bow and arrow.

Remember, the garment featuring hunter orange must be the outermost garment and must be visible from all sides. Camouflage orange garments, with 50 percent or more of the surface in hunter orange, are also legal.

The only exception to this law is those hunting waterfowl, crow or wild turkey, or those engaged in the sport of falconry. It also does not apply to archery or crossbow bear hunters or to those who are stationary and in the act of hunting bobcat, coyote or fox. Archery and crossbow deer hunters also are not required to wear hunter orange except during the youth firearm seasons, early antlerless firearm and the November firearm deer season.

• Know the times: Deer Hunting Hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

• Teach young hunters how to hunt safely: A new program that introduces children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing through a special mentored youth hunting license is now available in Michigan. With guidance, young children can be trained in the skills necessary to be stewards of our state’s natural resources. The conservation lessons learned will ensure our children will be able to share the thrill of hunting and fishing with future generations. Recent laws also clarify that foster children can participate in the program.

The mentored youth license costs only $7.50 and includes small game, spring and fall turkey, two deer tags, a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license.

Children must be accompanied by an adult mentor age 21 or above who has previous hunting experience and who possesses a valid Michigan hunting license. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting.

I look forward to hearing your comments on these important issues. If you would like more information about the upcoming hunting season, or have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by calling (888) 373-0078 or emailing sharontyler@house.mi.gov.