1977 Michigan DNR Successful Deer Hunter Patch Original Green Hunting Award

This original 1977 Michigan DNR Successful Deer Hunter Patch is a 3 inch square embroidered hunting award with a bright green background, dark brown border, and orange and brown deer hunting design.

The patch is in good vintage condition with strong colors, readable lettering, and a small stain. The back shows exposed embroidery threads, loose thread ends, and wear consistent with its age.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources began its Successful Deer Hunter patch program in 1972. Hunters who brought harvested deer to official check stations helped the state collect information about Michigan's deer population and received an annual patch in return. This 1977 example represents an early year of that longstanding Michigan hunting tradition.

Details

• Item: 1977 Michigan Successful Deer Hunter Patch
• Item Type: Embroidered hunting award patch
• Era: 1977
• Materials: Embroidered textile with woven mesh backing
• Color: Bright green, dark brown, black, and safety orange
• Maker and Mark: Michigan DNR Successful Deer Hunter program. No manufacturer's label visible.
• Pattern or Model: 1977 Successful Deer Hunter annual patch
• Style: 1970s Michigan hunting memorabilia
• Dimensions: 3 inches by 3 inches
• Special Features: Original period-style mesh backing, embroidered 77 date, hunter and deer design, brown stitched border, and SUCCESSFUL DEER MICHIGAN HUNTER lettering.

Condition Grade: Good

Positives

• Graded Good: This original 1977 hunting patch retains its bright colors and recognizable design, with minor staining and thread wear.
• The green embroidered background remains bright and evenly colored across most of the front.
• All four words, SUCCESSFUL, DEER, MICHIGAN, and HUNTER, remain readable in black embroidery.
• The orange 77 date remains clearly visible.
• The central brown deer design and orange hunter illustration retain their embroidered detail.
• The dark brown stitched border remains attached around the entire patch.
• The square shape is intact, with gently rounded corners.
• The reverse shows the open woven mesh backing and exposed embroidery threads associated with older embroidered patches.
• The 1977 date identifies this as an early example from Michigan's Successful Deer Hunter program.
• The compact 3 inch size makes this patch suitable for a hunting memorabilia display, patch collection, or framed arrangement of Michigan outdoor history.

Issues / Wear

• A small area of staining or discoloration is present on the patch.
• Several loose thread ends are visible on the reverse.
• The backing shows age-related discoloration and uneven coloring.
• The brown stitched border has minor fuzzing and thread wear, particularly along the lower edge.
• Some embroidery threads on the reverse have a worn or flattened appearance.
• Light handling wear is visible along the edges and corners.

If you collect Michigan DNR hunting patches, this original 1977 Successful Deer Hunter award offers an early piece of the state's deer hunting history. Its bright green background, orange date, and period mesh backing make it a recognizable addition to a collection of Michigan hunting memorabilia. If it's the one you've been looking for, it's ready to come home.