2026 Hunting and Trapping
Liberty Hunt for Youth – Archery ONLY
Continuing this year, MCRRC is participating in the Liberty hunt. This hunt takes place in September and is free of charge. Applications can be completed online HERE beginning August 17, 2026. Please see Youth Hunting Rules for rules and information.
Archery Deer Hunting
Permits for the Archery Deer hunt will be issued using a LOTTERY system.
Rules and Dates can be found HERE beginning August 17, 2026.
The application period for this year will run through Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Applications can be completed online HERE.
The lottery drawing will take place on September 3, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center Conference Room, 698 N. Maple Island Road.
You must rank your hunting zone preference(s) on your application. If your name is drawn, you will only be contacted if at least one of your preferred zones is still available.
If drawn, you must purchase your permit Monday, September 14, 2026 through Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 7am-4pm at the MCRRC Admin Building (698 N. Maple Island Road).
Managed Waterfowl Hunt
The Michigan DNR, through the local State Game Area, has managed a waterfowl hunt at the Resource Recovery Center during mid-October through mid-December since 1979. Again, this year, the hunt will continue through the mid-November period. Interested parties should contact the local office at 231-788-5055 or email Greg Hochstetler.
Trapping
Trapping is permitted by lottery, primarily to protect the System dikes and ditches from erosion. Download our trapping rules. Applications can be completed online HERE beginning August 17, 2026.
A lottery drawing will take place the following week. If your name is drawn, our staff will be contacting you by telephone. When picking up your permit, please bring your valid hunting license and trapping license(s). These licenses are required in order for a permit to be granted.
While the application information for additional members in the party wasn’t required at the time of the application, the information will need to be provided at the time of each permit pickup. Members of each of the trapping party’s drawn can pick their permits up at different times, however, each member will be required to show/provide a copy of their driver’s license and trapping license(s) at the time of picking up their permit.