Hunting and fishing are a big part of life in Iron County. White tail deer, ruffed grouse, and bear are three of the most popular seasons which make up the area's great trophy hunting.

The hunting section is split into 3 sub-sections:

 [white tail deer] [bird] [bear][ruffed grouse][turkey]

White Tail Deer

No other game animal has captured the hunter's heart like the white tail deer. About 1.2 million licenses are sold annually to over 800,000 deer hunters during the archery, firearm, and muzzle loading season. Today Michigan's deer herd is one of the largest in the United States, exceeding 1.6 million deer compared to 1/2 million in 1972. Hunters in Michigan harvest more than 300,000 deer annually, which in turn is 18 million pounds of meat. Iron County is one of the U.P.'s most popular hot spots for white tail deer hunting.

There are Archery and Firearm Deer Season opportunities for different age groups and calendar dates. The information on those licenses can be viewed on the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide found at www.michigan.gov/dnr for clarification and the most recent regulations. Hunting license fees are also available for verifcation by visiting this site. There are Special Rules for Young Hunters 10-16 years of Age and can be found by visiting this site.

All deer hunters must wear hunter orange November 15 - 30!!

Stiff penalties may be assessed for certain hunting violations; visit www.michigan.gov/dnr or write to Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Western U.P. Management Unit, 1420 U.S. 2 West, Crystal Falls MI 49920, (906) 875-6622 for details on seasons or information on any of the topics above, or for information on the use of tree stands/blinds and other hunting rules and regulations. You can also check with the Iron County Chamber of Commerce by calling 1-888-TRY-IRON.

Gamebird

Good woodcock and ruffed grouse (or "partridge") hunting can be found throughout many areas of Iron County. Look in aspen stands along stream sides, lowland areas and upland edges. Wetlands, river mouths, and marshes also attract these birds.

A small game hunting license is required to hunt birds in Michigan; it also entitles you to hunt rabbit, hare, squirrel, pheasant, woodchuck, crow, skunk, coyote, and waterfowl (with a federal waterfowl stamp and a Michigan waterfowl hunting license).

The ruffed grouse season ordinarily runs from mid-September through mid-November in Iron County; check with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for specific dates, rules and regulations by visiting www.michigan.gov/dnr or write to the Western U.P. Management Unit, 1420 U.S. 2 West, Crystal Falls MI 49920, (906) 875-6622. For more information and brochures on hunting you can contact the Iron County Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-TRY-IRON.

Ruffed Grouse

Iron County is a prime destination for the ruffed grouse and woodcock. Iron River is the gateway to the Ottawa National Forest with its one million acres of public land covering the western half of the county. The Ottawa features many 4-to-7-year-old stands of aspen along stream edges and bottomlands. Hunter maps of the Ottawa providing detailed information about stand ages can be found on the US Forest Service’s Ottawa National Forest web site*.

The eastern half of Iron County features state-owned land where the species can be found. There are several blocks of Michigan public lands north and south of Crystal Falls, the county seat.

The Ruffed Grouse Society considers Iron County one of the country’s best hunting locations for their bird of choice.

The woodcock season extends from late September to early November. The ruffed grouse season begins in mid-September and continues through mid-November as well as the month of December.

Resources:

www.iron.org or 1-888-TRY-IRON (879-4766 (visitor’s info)

www.michigan.gov/dnr (for rules, licenses, and season info)

www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/images/maps/06_aspen_maps/irn_map_o6.pdf

Wild Turkey

The application period for Michigan Wild Turkey Hunting is generally

January 1-February 1.

The following link will assist in you application and hunting guidelines for this sport. Remember that Iron County is in the Central Time Zone and hunting regulations are in effect following the Easter Time Zone regulations.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/08SpringTurkey_print_219199_7.pdf

Bear

Of the three bear species in North America, only the American black bear is found in Michigan. Once it roamed the entire state, but with the encroachment of humans into the black bear habitat, their range today is limited to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. There are an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 black bear living in the forested areas of the state. Most of the bear are found throughout the Upper Peninsula. Bear hunting in Iron County is best in the Amasa area.

To obtain a bear license, you must apply between April 15-May 15 from licensed dealers or online at www.michigan.gov/dnr.A bear hunting license entitles you to hunt bear during the established bear season which generally has begun by the second week in September and expires in the fourth week of October; this period is divided into three separate time blocks.

For information on the bear hunting season, licenses, and rules and regulations check with Michigan's Department of Natural Resources by calling 1-800-562-1201 (toll-free in Michigan only) or visiting www.michigan.gov/dnr. For more information and brochures on hunting you can contact the Iron County Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-TRY-IRON, or write to the DNR's Western U.P. Management Unit, 1420 U.S. 2 West, Crystal Falls MI 49920, (906) 875-6622.

Restricted Hunting Applications

Applications for restricted hunt drawings (bear, elk, antlerless deer, turkey and waterfoul) may be purchased during the designated application period from licensed dealers or online at www.michigan.gov/dnr