Hunting Rules and Information

Hunting is a fundamental activity that is deeply rooted in our area’s unique culture and heritage. This important pastime also contributes to the strength of our region’s tourism economy and can be an instrumental tool in maintaining the ecological health of the Preserves. Hunting rules vary from Preserve to Preserve so please review both the information below, for general hunting information, and the preserve list, for property specific information.

 

Hunting Considerations

Remember, the Preserves are private land and when visiting you are a guest of the Conservancy.  Please respect all forms of wildlife, your fellow sportsmen, and others that visit and enjoy the Conservancy’s preserves.  These preserves are multi-use areas open to the public on a year-round basis for such activities as hiking, nature study, bird watching, and cross-country skiing.  Please keep this in mind at all times when hunting the Conservancy’s preserves.

 

Hunting Rules, Regulations and Seasons

The GTRLC has Preserve Specific Rules for hunting and trapping (see Preserve Hunting List for details). Beyond those rules set forth by the GTRLC, the rules, regulations and seasons established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources broadly apply.  All persons hunting, fishing or trapping on GTRLC properties are liable to prosecution for noncompliance to the rules and regulations stated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. MDNR Conservation Officers are requested by the GTRLC to patrol its Preserves. Michigan Conservation Officers are fully commissioned Peace Officers and are empowered to arrest for all violations of Michigan’s laws. The CO’s primary duties are enforcement of natural resource and environmental protection laws. MDNR rules and regulations can be found at: www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 

Rules Applicable to GTRLC Preserves where Hunting is Allowed:

  • Hunters are responsible to know all rules that are specific to the preserve they are hunting upon.  Some preserves have restricted hunting.
  • The Conservancy reserves the right to deny or revoke hunting permission at its sole discretion.
  • Unless otherwise noted below (Preserve Specific “Permitted Seasons”), rules regulating hunting on Conservancy Preserves open to hunting are the same as those set forth by the MDNR.
  • Permanent deer blinds, tree stands, or duck blinds are prohibited on all Conservancy Preserves.  Screw-in steps and other devices that penetrate the bark of a tree are prohibited.  Portable stands must be labeled with the owner’s name and address such that it is easily visible from below at ground level.  Stands can not be installed prior to September 1 and must be remove by the day following the close of the last deer season in the area.  The Conservancy has no responsibility for tree stands, blinds or other items placed on Conservancy property.
  • The cutting of shooting lanes, or cutting or destruction of brush, trees or other plants for any purpose is prohibited.
  • The release of live animals on Conservancy preserves is prohibited.
  • Hunting within 450 feet of any occupied building, or within 100 feet of any maintained parking area, or recreational structure is prohibited.
  • Motorized vehicles, camping, open or contained fires, and baiting are prohibited on Conservancy Preserves.
  • Parking is only allowed on designated parking areas and within the right of way of a maintained road such that no vegetation is harmed.
  • There is no charge or fee for hunting on a Conservancy Preserve that is open to hunting.

 

Safety Zones within the Preserves

Trails are NOT closed during hunting seasons. Because of the open public use policy on the Conservancy’s Preserves “Safety Zones” are of the greatest importance for all of the Preserves users. The safety zone distance for an occupied building are same as those stated by the MDNR, that being 150 yards (450 feet). The safety zone distance for parking areas and recreational structures within the Preserves is 100 feet. Due to the meandering design of the trails on the Preserves please familiarize yourself with the location of all trails and other structures before proceeding with hunting.

 

Preserve List:

Please note the following list includes only the preserves that allow hunting.  If a preserve is not listed hunting is not allowed on the preserve.


Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.

 

Bauer Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

Brinkman Bog Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; bow only.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.

 

Cosner Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and Turkey hunting.

 

Edwards Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon

 

Fruithaven Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

 

Halladay-Blackhurst-Chowning Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

Medenbrook Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon

 

Mitchell Creek Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; bow only.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.

 

Papoose Lake Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

South Branch Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.

 

St. Clair-Six Mile Lakes Natural Area

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

Trapp Farm Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; bow, shotgun and muzzle loading only.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting permitted

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon

 

Limited/Shoreline Access Preserves:

Betsie Dunes Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

 

Kewadin Wetlands Natural Area (24 acres)

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.

Sagaser Nature Preserve

Permitted Seasons:

• Deer hunting; all forms.

• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting.

• Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon