Michigan

Extensive public state and national forest lands, traditional deer camps, UP black bear, and ruffed grouse.

Public Access & WMAs

Public Lands to Hunt in Michigan

Official Regulatory Authority

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MIDNR)

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) manages nearly 4 million acres of State Forest land, 100 designated State Wildlife Areas, and 3 National Forests (Hiawatha, Huron-Manistee, and Ottawa) covering an additional 2.8 million acres. With nearly 8 million total acres of public land, Michigan provides one of the largest public land hunting domains in the United States, offering exceptional opportunities for whitetail deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and Great Lakes waterfowl.

Upper Peninsula Wilderness | 1.9 Million Acres

Hiawatha & Ottawa National Forests

Spanning across Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Vast cedar swamps, hardwood ridges, and wild rivers support thriving populations of black bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock, and deep-woods whitetail bucks with limitless backcountry camping.

Northern Lower Peninsula | 978,000 Acres

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Encompassing northern Lower Michigan from Lake Michigan across to Lake Huron. Pine barrens, hardwood timber, and river valleys along the Au Sable and Manistee rivers provide premier public access for archery and firearm whitetail deer, wild turkey, and grouse hunting.

The Big Wild | 106,000 Acres

Pigeon River Country State Forest

Known as 'The Big Wild', this 106,000-acre block in Otsego, Montmorency, and Cheboygan counties is the home of Michigan's free-ranging elk herd. Densely wooded with aspen, pine, and hardwood ridges, offering premier lottery elk hunting, black bear, and whitetail deer.

Great Lakes Delta Marshes | 20,000+ Acres Combined

St. Clair Flats & Shiawassee River State Wildlife Areas

St. Clair Flats in Lake St. Clair is the largest freshwater delta in the world, renowned for premier canvasback, redhead, and mallard duck hunting. Shiawassee River WMA in Saginaw County offers managed diked waterfowl pools and drawing hunts.

Southern Michigan Private Leases | 20,000+ Acres

Michigan Hunting Access Program (HAP)

Leases private agricultural lands and woodlots in southern Michigan where public land is limited. Provides free walk-in hunting for whitetail deer, pheasant, rabbit, and wild turkey within easy driving distance of major metro areas.