Where is good public land to hunt whitetail in Michigan?

Question

I live in Oakland County and don't mind driving a while. This is my first year, any and all advice is appreciated.

Answer 1

Just in case you haven't heard, Livingston and Oakland Counties have the most car/deer accidents in the State every year.

I suggest looking right in your own back yard. There are several State Parks that offer hunting. This will require a park sticker and you can only hunt in authorized areas.  A list of Public lands is available on the DNR website

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153...

Answer 2

Head up to the U.P.  There several National Forests, and lots of State of Michigan land.  Do a little research as to what area you would like to hunt, get a plat book of the county(s) you wish to hunt, (to see what areas are private and what are public), get a topographic map of that area (the U. S. Forest Service has them, that's where I got mine), and plan your hunt.  I'm origionally from the central U.P., and I had places up there where I could hunt all season (firearm season), and not see another hunter.  If this is your goal, along with getting a buck, you might want to invest in a GPS unit, and plan on geting off of the road a ways.  Most hunters will usually stay within a 1/4 mi. of the road, so if you don't mind walking in a ways, you'll have more solitude.  One place I hunted was 3 miles, as the crow flies, from where I parked my truck.  I saw lots of deer, a bear, an artic falcon, and had 6 bald eagles entertain me one day....each experience priceless.  I shot my biggest rack (and body) buck in that area....a 155 B & C 9 point.  Have fun, and good luck!

Answer 3

not the U.P. i live here and the herds are depleted. the northern lower is better. the only part in the U.P. that is consistent is Menominee county.