Hunting on Ottawa County Parks Properties
The Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission is dedicated to providing high quality recreational opportunities to many kinds of park visitors, including hunters. The Commission provides hunting on over 2,000 acres of county owned Open Space Land and offers two special archery only deer hunting programs on 940 additional acres.The Commission manages two types of properties: County Parks and Open Space Lands. Hunting is allowed in Open Space Lands (with some restrictions). Hunting is allowed only in selected County Parks in conjunction with the archery only deer hunting programs (special permit required).
Hunting in Open Space Lands
Most Open Space Lands are open to hunting. Some are open to archery hunting only, while others are open to both firearm and archery hunting. An Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Special Parks Permit is not required to hunt in Open Space Lands. All hunters in Open Space Lands must follow the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission’s Open Space Land Rules and Regulations (Ordinance No. 03-2) including the Open Space Land hunting rules and regulations.Hunting in Selected County Parks
Deer archery hunting only with a required Special Parks Permit is allowed at the Crockery Creek Natural Area and the Upper Macatawa Natural Area. Applications for Special Parks Permits are accepted in July and August each year and a limited number of Special Parks Permits are issued through a lottery drawing.Hunters that receive a Special Parks Permit must agree to all hunting rules, regulations and restrictions included with the permit as well as follow all Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission Parks Rules and Regulations (Ordinance No. 94-3). Successful applicants will be required to pay a $20 permit fee. If you are interested in applying for a Special Parks Permit, contact the county parks office in July or August at (616) 738-4810 for an application or you may download a copy below:
Rules and Regulations
Sites Where Hunting Is Not Allowed
Sites Where Hunting Is Allowed
Archery Deer Hunting Program
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
2009 Crockery Creek and Upper
Macatawa Hunter Survey Results
