Mitchell Creek Nature Sanctuary

GTRLC designates properties as sanctuaries if exceptionally rare plants or animals or those particularly vulnerable to human disturbance reside there. Unlike a nature preserve or natural area, this sanctuary does not have trails or parking lots and contains limited signage. While passive recreation is allowed, it is not encouraged.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

• Camping
• Fires
• Electric bikes
• Commercial harvesting of ANY species
• ORVs
• Drone usage 
• Motorized boating
• Metal detecting (including the use of magnets in waterways)
• Trapping 
• Geocaching
• Mountain biking
• Horseback Riding
• Target Practice (including skeet or other types of recreational shooting) 
• Foraging: Removal of natural features, plants or animals, outside of allowable hunting seasons, is prohibited. This includes firewood, ramps (wild onions or leeks), fiddleheads of ferns, and all native plants that are dug, cut, or damaged upon harvest. Common species of fruits, like apples or raspberries, nuts, and mushrooms that are growing in abundance, may be collected in small quantities, by hand, for personal use only. Commercial harvest of plants, animals or mushrooms is not allowed.
• Placement of items or structures of any kind: For the enjoyment of all users and the preservation of natural spaces, we ask that visitors take only memories and leave only footprints. Placement of memorial items, painted rocks, fairy houses, geocaches, or the construction of benches, bridges, teepees, or other man-made items using natural materials is not allowed.
• Cutting or collecting live or dead wood for firewood
• Introduction of plants or animals, dead or alive
• Weddings and other large private events

Please contact us directly at (231) 929-7911 if you have any questions, notice a maintenance need, or witness an inappropriate activity taking place in a sanctuary.

If you would like to request use of or conduct research on this property please Contact Us.

For Mitchell Creek Nature Sanctuary

GTRLC designates properties as sanctuaries if exceptionally rare plants or animals or those particularly vulnerable to human disturbance reside there. Unlike a nature preserve or natural area, this sanctuary does not have trails or parking lots and contains limited signage. 

Please respect all forms of wildlife, your fellow sportsmen, and others that visit and enjoy the sanctuary. While passive recreation is not encouraged here, this sanctuary is a multi-use area open to the public on a year-round basis for activities such as hiking, nature study, bird watching, and other forms of passive recreation. Please keep this in mind at all times when hunting the sanctuary.

The Conservancy has rules specific to this sanctuary for hunting and trapping. Beyond those rules set forth by GTRLC, the rules, regulations and seasons established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources broadly apply. All persons hunting or fishing on this property 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 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 conservation officers’ primary duties are the enforcement of natural resource and environmental protection laws. MDNR rules and regulations can be found at: www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Certain types of hunting are allowed in accordance with state regulations: 

• Deer hunting; bow only.
• Small game and turkey hunting.
• No trapping.

• Hunters are responsible to know all rules that are specific to this sanctuary.  
• When waterfowl hunting, GTRLC prohibits targeting of coots, common moorhens/gallinules and rail species.
• GTRLC reserves the right to deny or revoke hunting permission at its sole discretion.
• Permanent deer blinds, tree stands, or duck blinds are prohibited.  
  • Screw-in steps and other devices that penetrate the bark of a tree are prohibited.  
  • Portable stands and blinds must be labeled with the owner’s name and address such that it is easily visible at ground level. 
  • Stands cannot be installed before September 1 and must be removed by April 1.
  • The Conservancy has no responsibility for tree stands, blinds or other items placed on GTRLC property.
• Unless otherwise noted, rules regulating hunting at this property are the same as those set forth by the MDNR, including special hunting seasons available to youth and hunters with disabilities.
• Permanent deer blinds, tree stands, or duck blinds are prohibited. 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 cannot be installed prior to September 1 and must be removed 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 this 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 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, and open or contained fires are prohibited.
• There are no designated parking areas, so please park within the right of way of a maintained road such that no vegetation is harmed.
• There is no charge or fee for hunting in this sanctuary.
• The enforcement of hunting rules and regulations is carried out by Conservation Officers. If you experience an issue while hunting or would like to report suspicious activity, please contact MDNR.

For more information, please visit our Property Rules and Hunting Regulations page.