2012 Refuge Deer Hunt: October 29th - December 31st, 2012 

To find information on our Pre-Registered Hunt Schedule download 2012 Deer Hunt Schedule (PDF file - 119KB).

If you would like to confirm if you have been drawn for the refuge deer hunt please click on  <https://secure.kinsail.com/partners/permit_lookup.asp?p=snwr>. 

If you have questions regarding the application web site, payment processes, or permit issuance, please email the  Kinsail Corporation at service@kinsail.com or call (703) 994-4194.

Attention 2012 Refuge Hunters who Need to Purchase an Antlerless License  

The State of Michigan has changed the Deer Management Unit (DMU) number for the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge this year. The State no longer sells antlerless deer licenses for public lands DMU 173. The NEW NUMBER is Public Lands DMU 273. Please make note of this when you go to purchase your antlerless license at a licensing agent or online. The item code is still 550. If you have further questions about antlerless hunts, please visit the Michigan DNR's website. 

Tittabawassee River Floodplain Wild Game Consumption Advisory - For more information please read the Michigan Department of Community Health's Eat Safe Wild Game leaflet. 

Deer Hunting Area Maps  

Click on the following maps to view them.

Hunting Area 1 (PDF file - 568 KB) or Aerial Photo with Map 1 (PDF file - 1.6 MB) - The entire refuge, except the Cass River Unit

Hunting Area 2 (PDF file - 551 KB) or Aerial Photo with map 2 (PDF file - 1.6 MB) - Area bordered by the northern boundary of the refuge, south to the Shiawassee and Cass Rivers, plus Green Point Island

Hunting Area 3 (PDF file - 594 KB) or Aerial Photo with map 3 (PDF file - 1.6 MB) - Entire refuge except for the area north of the Shiawassee and Cass Rivers, and Green Point island

Hunting Area 4 - Merged into Hunting Area 3

Hunting Area 5 (PDF file - 568 KB) or Aerial Photo with map 5 (PDF file - 1.6 MB) - The Cass River Unit in Bridgeport Township

2012 Scouting Dates Have Been Extended  

This year's scouting dates were September 28-30, 2012, one day longer than in the past. During this 3-day weekend, the entire refuge is open to hiking, bicycling and deer scouting during daylight hours only. Please note that there are no other opportunities for you to scout for deer. You are welcome to use the refuge's trails or the Wildlife Drive (when it's open). Please note that you must stay on the designated trails and route.  

2012 Refuge Goose Hunting: October 6th, 2012 - November 13th, 2012  

Download: Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Goose Hunt Information and Regulations (PDF file - 108 KB)

18 Goose Hunting Blinds in 2012: Please note that there will be 18 goose hunting blinds available on the refuge. Agricultural lands, where some of the goose blinds were located in the past, have been taken out of production and have been or are now being converted back to wetlands. Download the 2012 Goose Hunt Blind locations (PDF file - 198 KB).

Goose hunting dates on the refuge are October 6th, 2012 - November 13th, 2012. A reserved hunt will be held opening weekend on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7. There MAY be room for stand-by hunters the first weekend, but with fewer blinds this year, there's no guarantee. Thereafter, hunting takes place only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays for the remainder of the season. The last day of goose hunting is Tuesday, November 13th, 2012.

A lottery drawing is held each morning of the hunt at 5:30 a.m. at the refuge headquarters.  Doors open at 5:00 a.m. for registration. Up to three (3) people per blind. There is a $4.00 fee per person; those individuals who meet the age requirements (age 62 or older) and possess an "Interagency Senior Pass" (cost is $10) receive a 50 percent discount. All State waterfowl regulations and refuge regulations apply. Hunters are required to stop shooting at 12:00 noon and check in by 1:00 p.m. whether successful or not. Daily bag limit is two Canada geese per person per day.

2011 Refuge Goose Hunt Season Results: 259 hunters over 12 days of hunting harvested 135 Canada geese. Overall hunter success rate was almost 26 percent. Download a copy of the 2011 Goose Hunt Summary(PDF file - 54 KB).

State Information 

Visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for information about State regulations, licenses and more.