Is Unicorn Hunting Legal in Michigan? The Viral Map Explained!

Race Day Live A map has been making rounds on social media, claiming that Michigan is the only U.S. state where unicorn hunting is legal.

This map, shared on platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, and Reddit, shows 49 states in red (“no”) and Michigan in green (“yes”). But is this true?

The claim originates from Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in Michigan. In the 1970s, the university started a humorous tradition by creating the Department of Natural Unicorns.

This department offers a unicorn hunting license, but it’s purely for fun and has no legal standing.

While social media posts suggest that Michigan officially allows unicorn hunting, no state law or regulation mentions it.

A search of Michigan’s legal records returns no results for “unicorn hunting.” The Michigan Secretary of the Senate’s Office also confirmed that no such law exists.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which manages hunting regulations, lists 15 types of hunting and fishing licenses—none for unicorns. Snopes contacted the department and the Archives of Michigan for clarification and is awaiting responses.

The idea of unicorn hunting at LSSU dates back to 1971. The university’s Public Relations Director, W.T. Rabe, started the Unicorn Hunters as a playful way to attract media attention.

Over the years, LSSU has embraced similar whimsical traditions, like burning a snowman to welcome spring and creating a Banished Words List to highlight overused phrases.

A 1974 article from the Buffalo Courier Express reported on the LSSU unicorn hunt, noting that despite 5,000 issued hunting licenses, no unicorns had been found.

Read More:

• Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson Announces 2026 Gubernatorial Run!
• Judge Blocks Trump’s Federal Buyout—Maryland Lawmakers Call It a ‘Scheme’!

The article described the mythical creature as having the head of a horse, stag-like legs, a lion’s tail, and a single horn.

According to LSSU’s Unicorn Quest Regulations, hunting is permitted in enchanted forests, outer space, and even one’s imagination.

The season is year-round, except for Valentine’s Day, and hunters must “attend no meetings” and “be nice to people and unicorns alike.”

Ultimately, the viral claim about Michigan being the only state where unicorn hunting is legal is just a joke that has been taken out of context.

While LSSU continues to issue unicorn hunting licenses, they are purely symbolic. And of course, there is no scientific proof that unicorns exist.

Reference

Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.