Hunting 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. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy allows hunting on many of its nature preserves. Please review the list below for information about where hunting is permitted or click here to view a regional map showing the preserve locations.
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 set forth 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 All GTRLC Preserves Are As Follows:
- 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 strucures before proceeding with hunting.
To view/print the preserve maps, you must have the free software Adobe Reader installed on your computer. To download Adobe Reader, click the following link: Adobe Reader
Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve (1700 acres)
Location: SW Benzie County and NW Manistee County, near intersection of Joyfield Road and M22.
Permitted Seasons:
- Hunting and trapping are permitted under State land rules on the westernmost portion of the preserve.
- The eastern portion of the preserve is limited to deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl, and turkey. Trapping is limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Bauer Preserve (240 acres)
Location: Antrim Co., Echo Twp. Off of Wilson Road on Intermediate River
Permitted Seasons:
- Archery Deer, Firearm Deer, and Muzzleloading Deer
- Small game, waterfowl, turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Brinkman Bog (46 acres)
Location: northern tip of Old Mission Peninsula, just east of Center Road
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (archery only), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Cosner Preserve (131 acres)
Location: Antrim Co., Echo Twp. Off of M66, South of East Jordan.
Permitted Seasons:
- Archery Deer, Firearm Deer, and Muzzleloading Deer
- Small game, waterfowl, turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Edwards Preserve (77 acres)
Location: Between Garfield and Arbutus Hill Roads just west of Brown Bridge pond in East Bay Township
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Fruithaven Nature Preserve (166 acres)
Location: Benzie County, Blaine Twp, north of Herring lake, bordered by Herron Rd on south and Paul Rose Rd in NE
Permitted Seasons:
- Archery Deer, Firearm Deer, and Muzzleloading Deer
- Small Game, waterfowl and Turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve
Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve (240 acres)
Location: Benzie County, Blaine Twp, off of Green Point Rd, Lake Michigan frontage
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer hunting only
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Halladay-Blackhurst-Chowning (40 acres)
Location: South side of Voice Road in the northern portion of Paradise Township
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Medenbrook Nature Preserve (30 acres)
Location: In the southwest section of Platte Township in northwest Benzie County on the shore of Little Platte Lake.
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Mitchell Creek Nature Preserve (125 acres)
Location: Grand Traverse County, Garfield Twp, east of Garfield Road and north of Hammond Road. Access from Townline Rd.
Permitted Seasons:
- Archery only for deer, small game, waterfowl, and turkey
- Trapping limited to muskrat, mink, and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Papoose Lake Nature Preserve (46 acres)
Location: In Blue Lake Township in northeast Kalkaska County.
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Sagaser Nature Preserve (20 acres)
Location: In Benzonia Township in western Benzie County, approximately one mile north of Crystal Lake
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
South Branch Nature Preserve (45 acres)
Location: Grand Traverse County, off Broomhead Road
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping is limited to muskrat, mink, and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve
St. Clair-Six Mile Lakes Natural Area (191 acres)
Location: Charlevoix County near Ellsworth
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer only (all forms)
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Trapp Farm Nature Preserve (124 acres)
Location: Benzie County, Near Downtown Beulah
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (archery, muzzleloading and shotgun), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve (163 acres)
Location: Benzie County, Blaine Twp., off M22, south of Elberta, near White Owl Road.
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping is limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon.
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Limited Access Preserves
Betsie Dunes Nature Preserve (62 acres)
Shoreline access only
Location: On the Lake Michigan coast in central Benzie County two miles north of Frankfort
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping is not permitted at this preserve
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
Kewadin Wetlands Natural Area (24 acres)
Water access only
Location: In Milton Township along the northern portion of Elk Lake in southwest Antrim County
Permitted Seasons:
- Deer (all forms), small game, waterfowl and turkey
- Trapping limited to muskrat, mink and raccoon
Click here to view a map of this preserve.
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