Hunting

Photo of a hunter with a dead deerHunting is a major recreational activity on the Ottawa National Forest.

Hunting is allowed on National Forest lands with appropriate state hunting licenses. Seasons and bag limits are determined by the Michigan DNR, please visit their website for more information.

For Hunter Walking Trail maps and Grouse/Aspen maps visit the Maps and Publications section.

General Information

  • No discharging a firearm in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation area, building or occupied area.
  • No discharging a firearm across or on a forest development road, body of water contiguous to a road or where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage.
  • You must have a valid license. Michigan hunting licenses are available on-line throug the Michigan DNR.
  • Hunting hours, per the DNR, are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
  • Hunters must wear blaze orange or pink.

Specific Information

Raised Platforms and Stands:

  • Allowed for archery hunting.
  • Must be portable and temporary, no permament structures are allowed.
  • Owners name and address must be displayed on the platform or stand.

Ground Blinds:

  • Fasteners for portable ground blinds cannot penetrate the bark of a tree and must be removed daily with the blind.
  • The owners name and address must be displayed on the blind.
  • Blinds can be made of dead, natural materials and/or can have netting, cloth or plastic added to them - the material cannot be permanently attached to the blind and removed each day.
  • Natural materials must be scattered at the close of the season or when the blind is abandoned.
  • According to State Law; Portable/Non-Permanent Constructed Blinds can be placed Sept 1st and must be removed at the end of the annual deer season or will be considered abandoned.
  • Constructed blinds must be removed at the end of the season.

Target Shooting

Target practice with a rifle, handgun or bow and arrow is permitted provided you abide by all state and federal regulations.

  • A hunting license is not required when shooting at identifiable, artificially constructed tergets and/or when no attempt is made to take game.
  • All trash must be packed out, including shell casings and targets.
  • Glass targets are prohibited.
  • Target shooting with a rifle, handgun or shotgun 5 days prior to deer rifle season is prohibited.

Trapping

  • Allowed with appropriate permits and licences available through the Michigan DNR.
  • Season and bag limits are determined by the Michigan DNR
  • For more information visit the Michigan DNR website listed above.

Camping

Visit the Camping & Cabins section for information on camping.

ORV and Motorized Vehicle Use for Hunting

Operating a ORV or Motor vehicle off open system roads and/or trails is unauthorized, including for game retrieval.

For information on operating an OHV or motorized vehicle on the Ottawa visit the OHV page or the Motor Vehicle Use Map page.

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities