Deer Hunting Land Still Available

Use the DNR's HAP program to get that deer this season.

Michigan’s Hunting Access Program has been providing great hunting opportunities in areas with limited access for hunters since 1977. With properties stretching across southern Michigan and a portion of the eastern Upper Peninsula, the program currently allows public hunting on 19,000 acres of privately owned lands.

HAP properties are available each day to hunters on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a press release. Hunters must register at the property headquarters before hunting. Self-service HAP farms have a mailbox designated as the headquarters with registration forms and property information inside.  At mandatory check-In properties, hunters must register directly with the landowner.

Whether hunting or scouting, it is important to register upon arrival because each property has a maximum number of hunters allowed at any one time. Failure to register is considered trespassing.

Additionally, participating landowners determine the types of hunting allowed on their land.  Before hunting, make sure to verify the allowed hunt type(s) at the HAP headquarters or on the HAP website.

To determine the types of hunting allowed, view aerial photographs and locate self-service headquarters, check out theHunting Access Program (HAP) Farm Summary. Here you can find detailed information about each enrolled property. Click on the landowner’s name to generate a descriptive map of the property. Boundary lines, designated parking areas and the headquarters’ location all can be found in the HAP Farm Summary.

To find public hunting land in Michigan, including HAP properties, check out Mi-HUNT. A cutting-edge, web-based mapping application, Mi-HUNT allows users to navigate through a variety of map layers to create their own custom maps or download premade maps to meet their specific hunt-planning needs.