Press Release: Hunting lotteries for Crockery Creek, Upper Macatawa, and North Ottawa Dunes are now open

hunting

Bookmark and Share

For immediate release: August 4, 2018
Contact the Ottawa County Parks Administrative Office with questions: 616-738-4810

Special Hunting Permits now available

Ottawa County Parks offers special permits for hunting at Crockery Creek Natural Area, Upper Macatawa Natural Area, and North Ottawa Dunes. Lottery drawings are held prior to the hunting periods at each of these sites. All three lotteries are currently open - apply today! Read below closely as there have been some changes to the application process.

Hunting is an important part of managing natural lands and parks in Ottawa County. "Biodiversity is dependent on a delicate balance of predator and prey populations. In Michigan this balance has been altered by a significant loss of predators, like wolves. As a result, some prey populations, such as deer, do not have the natural checks and balances needed to prevent overpopulation. Humans have always been and continues to play an important role in hunting prey populations," said Melanie Manion Natural Resources Management Supervisor.


Crockery Creek Natural Area and Upper Macatawa Natural Area

Important lottery information

  • Applications are due at noon on September 4
  • Hunters may only apply for one of these lottery sites, not both. There are separate applications below for each site. Hunters whose names are on more than one application will be disqualified from the lottery.
  • Hunters selected to receive a special permit via the drawing must pay a $20 fee.
  • There is no pre-hunt meeting this year.
  • Before applying, hunters should review the 2018 lottery rules and hunting maps.
  • Selected applicants will be notified via email by September 21. 
  • Selected hunters must complete a survey at the end of the season in order to be eligible to apply for future hunts. Please find the 2017 hunting survey results here.

Apply for the lottery at Crockery Creek Natural Area

A ‘quality deer management program’ is in effect at Crockery Creek Natural Area. Does and bucks may both be taken at this site - however, each hunter is limited to one buck, and the buck must have a rack totaling 6 points or more. A hunter may also take a doe as long as he/she possesses a public-land antlerless deer license. All DNR rules and regulations are still in effect for this program.

Apply for the lottery at Upper Macatawa Natural Area

Under Michigan DNR regulations, Upper Macatawa Natural Area is considered “public land,” and therefore a hunter must possesses a public-land antlerless deer license to take a doe on site. 


North Ottawa Dunes

Important lottery information

  • Applications are due at noon on September 4
  • Applicants who apply for either Crockery Creek or Upper Macatawa may also apply for North Ottawa Dunes. Hunters whose names are on more than one North Ottawa Dunes application will be disqualified from the lottery.
  • Selected applicants for North Ottawa Dunes will be notified via email by October 5 and must attend a pre-hunt meeting on either Saturday, October 27 at 11 am or Tuesday, October 30 at 7 pm.
  • A $20 fee will be due at the pre-hunt meeting.

Apply for the lottery at North Ottawa Dunes

***

If you would like to receive future emails about special hunting permits, please sign up here.