Aug. 10, 2016

Contact: Kristin Bissell, 517-522-4097

REMINDER: Deer reserved hunting permits available through Monday for Pierce Road Hunt Unit of Sharonville State Game Area

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to apply for deer reserved hunting permits at the Pierce Road Hunt Unit of the Sharonville State Game Area. All deer reserved hunts at Sharonville State Game Area are reserved for those with qualifying disabilities.

Applications are available through Monday, Aug. 15, at any license agent or DNR Customer Service Center or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. Applications are $5. Only one application may be purchased. 

Applicants must meet at least one of the following qualifications to participate in these deer reserved hunts:

• Documentation as a veteran with 100-percent disability as defined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Documentation, as a resident, by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.
• Declaration as legally blind, as defined by section 1 of 1978 PA 260, MCL 393.351.
• Possession of a DNR-issued permit to hunt using a laser sighting device.
• Possession of a DNR-issued permit to hunt from a standing vehicle.

As part of the DNR’s Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors initiative, the DNR has designated a 600-acre unit of the Sharonville State Game Area as a restricted-access hunt area in order to provide special hunt opportunities. This unit, now referred to as the Pierce Road Unit, consists of the state game area lands south of Sharon Valley Road in Jackson County, in Section 36 of T03S – R02E and Sections 1-2 of T04S – R02E. 

The Pierce Road Unit will remain open to the public for recreational activities, except during posted dedicated hunting days. This will give hunters with disabilities the opportunity to hunt deer on state-managed land with reduced competition from other hunters and will allow Michigan's deer resources to be more accessible to hunters with disabilities.

During dedicated hunting days, the hunt area will be open only to deer hunters with disabilities who have been drawn for a permit, along with their accompanying companions (commonly referred to as "operators"). Hunters with disabilities who are successful in the application process will be able to designate up to three operators to accompany them on the hunt. At least one designated operator must be at least 18 years of age and possess a license other than an apprentice license or a certificate of completion for training in hunter safety. The operators are not permitted to harvest deer in the hunt area during dedicated hunting days. The operators must be able to come to the immediate aid of the permittee and maintain uninterrupted, unaided visual contact.

For the 2016 deer season, special hunt opportunities will occur on the following dates:

• Sept. 17-18 (coinciding with the Liberty Hunt)
• Oct. 1-7  (coinciding with the first week of the archery deer season)
• Oct. 13-16 (coinciding with the Independence Hunt)
• Nov. 15-30 (coinciding with the regular firearm deer season)

Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors is a cooperative partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Camp Liberty, Zero-Day, Eisenhower Center, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, Passing Along the Heritage Foundation, Safari Club International Foundation, Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Disabled American Veterans, and more. Its mission is to provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for wounded veterans and individuals with health challenges, and to coordinate a support network that facilitates their recovery through connecting with nature.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.