NEWS RELEASE
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
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GLADSTONE, MICH. – Hiawatha National Forest provides nearly a million acres of public land for the use and enjoyment of the American people.
The USDA Forest Service welcomes hunters to the Hiawatha National Forest with a reminder that there are special rules about use and removal of blinds on public lands.
As a responsible hunter, you play an important role in keeping national forest lands litter free for future generations.
State of Michigan hunting regulations require that hunting blinds on public land be portable and temporary and not affixed to any tree by nails, screws, bolts or screw in tree steps.
Blinds can be placed in the National Forest with name, phone number and address of the owner no earlier than Sept. 1 and must be removed by Jan. 1, 2023.
Failure to remove any type of blind, structure, equipment or trash can result in fines, costs of removal and destruction, impoundment and/or seizure items.
According to Forest Service personnel, most hunters are responsible and follow the rules, however there is growing concern about 'permanent' blinds abandoned on National Forest System lands.
Abandoned constructed blinds and their accoutrements (e.g. tarps, chairs, buckets, plastic bait bags, food containers, heaters and fuel, etc.) amount to remote dumpsites scattered across public lands.
Such illegal permanent blinds pose several risks including safety hazards, environmental damage and hunter conflicts.
“We're reminding hunters that responsible hunting involves researching and knowing the regulations -- and this includes removing your blind from public land each season,” said Mary Moore, Hiawatha Forest Supervisor.
Hunters using blinds on National Forest System lands should also be aware that there are some differences between hunting on state land versus National Forest land. Hunters should remember:
• All wheeled motor vehicles, including off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are allowed only on National Forest roads and trails shown open on the Forest’s current year Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) downloadable here or on the Avenza app.
• Motorized travel is allowed on designated routes only. Cross-country motorized travel off designated routes is prohibited on National Forest System lands, including for hunting blind access, baiting or game retrieval.
• Cutting branches, limbs, trees, or other vegetation for shooting lanes or to construct blinds is prohibited.
• Guiding on National Forest land requires a federal special use permit.
• For accurate information about hunting regulations in Michigan, hunters should review the 2022 Michigan DNR’s “Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest,” paying special attention to rules about blinds on public lands, raised platforms and tree stands, baiting, and hunting on National Forest System lands.
The Forest Service encourages people to contact their local National Forest office if they notice illegal blinds on National Forest System lands. Find our contact information here.
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