MCD PROPERTIES

Forest Management Properties / Hunting

The Muskegon Conservation District owns over 1,200 acres throughout the area that range in size from 20 to 120 acres. These properties are permanently protected and are open for recreational activities that do not hinder the ability of the District to utilize the property for its intended purpose, forest management demonstration. In most cases, individuals may use the property for the following general purpose activities without notification or consent: hiking, wildlife watching, environmental education, and harvesting edible mushrooms.

Certain parcels owned by the Muskegon Conservation District are also open for special purposes such as hunting, trapping, skeet shooting, camping, or other activities not listed as a general purpose. Individuals interested in using the parcels for these activities must be issued a special use permit by the Muskegon Conservation District.

For more information regarding the use and location of these parcels can be found in the District Hunting Land Use Guide or by visiting the office. If you are interested in a special use permit please call or visit the office. Hunting applications are available 90 days prior to the opening day of the season of which you are applying for. All hunting requests must be accompanied by a Consent and Authorization Form.

Hunting Access Program

Michigan’s Hunting Access Program was created in 1977, making it one of the oldest private lands public access programs in the nation. Increasing public hunting opportunities and provide incentives for private landowners.

HAP properties are lands for which private landowners have agreed to allow public access. Hunters utilizing HAP properties are guests of the landowner. All hunters are responsible to know and understand the rules of the program and of the property they are hunting as well as state and federal regulations.

Hunting Access Program                      DNR-HAP-lands-list

Boyce Woods Nature Preserve

Boyce Woods Nature PreserveBoyce Woods Nature Preserve, a 27-acre parcel, was gifted to the Muskegon Conservation District by the family of George Gaylor and Elaine Brink Boyce. For over 100 years the Boyce family’s conservation-minded stewardship protected this ecologically important area. The parcel was owned by the Boyce family for three generations. George Boyce received it as payment for a loan and passed the land to his sons Edward and William Boyce.

Eventually, the land passed to William’s son, George Gaylor Boyce, a North Muskegon High School graduate and outdoorsman who often visited the property to photograph the tiny spring wildflowers and the brilliant colors of fall.

The parcel contains several acres of wetland and adjoining woodland along Bear Creek which will be permanently protected for future generations and the public good.

Special thanks go to Nancy Klok (Boyce) and her husband Ken for facilitating the donation of the property.

» Learn about the Boyce Family History (PDF)

» View the Boyce Woods Nature Preserve sign (PDF)