To apply for hunting permits online, please visit: https://www.miottawa.org/hunting
Applications close on August 31, 2026.
Hunting is an important part of managing natural lands and parks in Ottawa County. Biodiversity is critical to ecosystem health and 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 continue to play an important role in hunting prey populations.
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation offers hunting on over 4,500 acres of selected properties. Six of the properties require a special permit, which are available via lottery. These lotteries are now open, see below for more information on how to apply.
Special Permits
Properties requiring a special permit for hunting include:
- Crockery Creek Natural Area
- Upper Macatawa Natural Area
- Stearns Creek Park
- Stearns Creek – North
- North Ottawa Dunes/Ottawa Sands
Lottery drawings are held prior to the hunting periods at each of these sites. Hunters may apply for both lotteries but may submit only one application for each; duplicate entries result in removal from lottery.
Special Permit Archery Hunting
Crockery Creek Natural Area – Upper Macatawa Natural Area – Stearns Creek Park
Crockery Creek Natural Area, Upper Macatawa Natural Area, Stearns Creek Park are open to archery deer hunting by special permit only, during specific periods by lottery-chosen hunters. The parks remain open for hiking, fishing, and other recreational uses during the hunting season. Special hunting rules and regulations are in effect for these hunts; please review before you apply.
Crockery Creek Natural Area is also open to waterfowl hunting by special permit.
Stearns Creek North All Game Hunt:
This special permit opportunity is for all game hunting per DNR regulations. There are two hunting seasons available on this property. The park will remain open for hiking, fishing, and other recreational uses during the hunting season.
Lakeshore Wildlife Management:
The Lakeshore Wildlife Management hunt (firearm) takes place at the end of November at North Ottawa Dunes and Ottawa Sands.
Both parks will be closed to the general public during the hunt. Special hunting rules and regulations are in effect for this hunt; please review them before you apply.
If you would like to receive future emails about special hunting permits, please sign up here.
More information about hunting on Ottawa County Parks properties can be found online.