Hunting
The quality of hunting in Northern Michigan is legendary, while Cadillac offers some particularly unique advantages. Extensive access to public land is a primary reason hunters find their way to Cadillac during hunting seasons throughout the year. Whitetail Deer hunters flock to the Cadillac area for bow hunting, rifle and muzzle loading seasons, and are rarely disappointed. Black Bear is also included in the big-game list on our 600,000 acres of prime hunting land in the National Forest and State Forest surrounding Cadillac.
Small Game
A small game license entitles you to hunt rabbit, snowshoe hare, squirrel (fox and gray), pheasant, ruffed grouse, woodcock, quail, woodchuck, crow, coyote and waterfowl during the open season in the Cadillac area and Wexford County. There is no closed season on opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, starling, feral pigeon, English sparrow, ground squirrel and woodchuck. Wexford County boasts one of the highest wild turkey populations in Northern Michigan and both fall and spring hunting opportunities exist on the permit basis.
Hunting Resources
We have several guides for hunting in the area, as well as hunt clubs, contact our office for more information on Marion Hunt Club, Manton Hunt Club, Cadillac Sportsman's Club. We are also VERY lucky to host one of the seven MDNR Visitors Centers in the State - Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center, adjacent to Mitchell State Park and Cadillac's famous canal that connects Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell.
Cadillac Hunting & Fishing Stories
Find the latest news and stories about the Cadillac region. Our team of local writers dig deep into the region's culture and provide our travel community the latest about entertainment, art, culture, trails, seasons and so much more.
We welcome you to explore Cadillac.
HUNTING & MICHIGAN DNR RESOURCE INFORMATION...
- The local MDNR office is located on Mackinaw Trail, between US-131 BR and M-115, just south of Downtown Cadillac. Call 231-775-9727.
- Commercial Michigan Hunting Guides link to the MDNR website
- Carl T Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center is located on the west side of Cadillac, across the canal from the Mitchell State Park. We are proud to host one of the seven MDNR Visitors Centers in the State, and the only one that focuses its museum and activities on Hunting & Fishing in our Great State! Call 231-779-1321, located at the intersection of M-115 & North Boulevard, just north of the M-55 & M-115 intersection.
- The Huron-Manistee National Forest are the only National Forests in Lower Michigan. The Huron-Manistee National Forests comprise almost a million acres of public lands extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan, offering over 500,000 acres in the Cadillac area, the largest single span in the lower peninsula. It provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry. Throughout the year there are campsites and trail heads throughout the National Forest for use. Some may require a fee/ permit. Call (800) 821-6263, located at 1755 South Mitchell street, just south of Downtown on BR US-131.
MORE HUNTING INFORMATION...
Buck Pole Contest
WEXFORD COUNTY BUCK POLE
ALL HUNTERS in the contest have a chance to win ONE of many prizes in the LUCKY HUNTER DRAWING
Prize Categories:
- First Buck on Pole Daily - $100 (First Buck Daily must be shot same day as hung)
- Largest Scored Rack
- 2nd Largest Scored Rack
- 3rd Largest Scored Rack
- Heaviest Buck & Heaviest Doe
Free for all kids that enter Youth Buck Pole - Bring your legally tagged Youth Hunt rack to hang at the Buck Pole event for a chance to win random drawing prizes
Hunting Works for Michigan
Hunting Works For Michigan advocates for public policy that supports jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization, we help tell the story of the role hunting and shooting sports play in both the heritage and economic health of Michigan.
Support Hunting Works for Michigan by spreading the word, and asking your friends with businesses to sign up today with Hunting Works for Michigan. Hunting makes a major economic impact to our state, local economy and we need to ensure it continues.
