Tag Archives: Hunt Michigan Collaborative

Hunters Feeding Michigan group in front of barn

Hunt Michigan Collaborative opens new hunting opportunities this fall while supporting farmers, deer management and Michigan communities

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Local Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , ,
Hunters Feeding Michigan group photo
Hunters Feeding Michigan. (Photo Courtesy, Hunt Michigan Collaborative/Bryan Farmer. Used with Permission)


By The Hunt Michigan Collaborative
greer@wktv.org

The Hunt Michigan Collaborative is inviting new and experienced conservation-minded hunters seeking land access, looking to make a difference to participate in organized hunting opportunities this fall across Michigan. Through innovative partnerships with farmers, conservation organizations, landowners, and hunting programs, HMC is helping connect people to hunting while addressing some of Michigan’s most pressing deer management challenges.

The Hunt Michigan Collaborative was created in response to challenges identified through Michigan’s Deer Management Initiative, including limited private land access, declining hunter participation, high deer densities, wildlife disease concerns, and the need for improved deer management solutions. The collaborative works to address these issues by connecting hunters with opportunities while helping landowners and farmers manage deer populations responsibly.

“Our mission is simple: connect people, organizations, and opportunities to grow hunting in Michigan while delivering meaningful wildlife management benefits,” said Frank Pizzo, Hunt Michigan Collaborative Board Member. “Whether someone is hunting for the first time, searching for a place to hunt, or wants to help reduce crop damage and support healthy deer populations, there is
a place for them within the Hunt Michigan Collaborative.”

A place for new hunters
For individuals interested in learning how to hunt, HMC serves as a statewide clearinghouse for hunting programs, events, and opportunities. The collaborative works with organizations focused on recruiting, retaining, and reactivating hunters, making it easier for newcomers to find educational programs, mentors, and hunting experiences. By bringing multiple organizations together under one umbrella, HMC helps simplify the process of getting started in hunting.

Opportunities for hunters seeking land access
Access to private land remains one of the biggest barriers facing Michigan hunters. Through the Hunt Michigan Collaborative / National Deer Association Farm Tour program, hunters gain access to organized hunts on private farmland experiencing high deer densities and crop damage. The program provides opportunities for both new and seasoned hunters to hunt properties that would otherwise be inaccessible.

HMC coordinates with participating farmers and works alongside the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to secure Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits, allowing hunters to assist with antlerless deer management in targeted areas. Organized hunts include support from Hunt Leaders who assist with logistics, safety, deer tracking, retrieval, and field dressing.

Helping farmers and communities
Michigan farmers experience significant crop damage from excessive deer populations each year. The HMC Farm Tour was developed to provide a practical solution by connecting responsible hunters with farms that need deer management assistance. Farmers benefit from reduced deer impacts while hunters gain valuable access opportunities.

The program also supports local communities through venison donation opportunities. Hunters who participate may keep their harvested venison or choose to donate it through programs such as Hunters Feeding Michigan, helping provide nutritious protein to individuals and families in need.

Hunters Feeding Michigan group in front of farm equipment
Hunters Feeding Michigan. (Photo Courtesy, Hunt Michigan Collaborative/Bryan Farmer. Used with Permission)


A collaborative vision for Michigan’s future
The Hunt Michigan Collaborative believes that hunting can be a powerful tool for conservation, community engagement, and wildlife management. Its vision is centered on building partnerships that increase hunter participation, improve access to hunting opportunities, support farmers and landowners, promote ethical deer management, and strengthen Michigan’s outdoor heritage.

The collaborative has received support from numerous conservation organizations and businesses, including the National Deer Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Women of the Wild, Jay’s Sporting Goods and others who share a commitment to growing hunting participation and responsible wildlife stewardship.

Women of the Wild - two lady representatives
(Photo Courtesy, Women of the Wild/Felicia Engelman)


Get involved this fall
Hunters interested in participating in organized hunts, individuals exploring hunting for the first time, landowners seeking deer management assistance, and organizations interested in partnering with the collaborative are encouraged to learn more at: Hunt Michigan Collaborative

About Hunt Michigan Collaborative
The Hunt Michigan Collaborative is a partnership of organizations dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and reactivating hunters while helping farmers, landowners, and communities address wildlife management needs. By connecting people with hunting opportunities and supporting organized deer management efforts, HMC works to grow hunting participation and promote healthy, balanced deer populations throughout Michigan.

Hunt Michigan Collaborative Farm Tour helps farmers reduce crop damage by deer

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , ,
It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of dollars in crop damage occurs each year. This is why Hunt Michigan Collaborative and the National Deer Association developed an organized way of reducing the deer population in areas where there is an abundance of deer. (Photo Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By WKTV Staff
Content Source: Hunt Michigan Collaborative website
greer@wktv.org

The Hunt Michigan Collaborative/National Deer Association Farm Tour helps farmers reduce crop damage by allowing registered hunters to hunt their farmland through organized hunts.


It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of dollars in crop damage occurs each year, and why the Hunt Michigan Collaborative developed an organized way of reducing the deer population in areas where there is an abundance of deer.

The HMC NDA Farm Tour works with Farmers and the Michigan DNR to get Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits to harvest doe on farms. The National Deer Association covers all liability, registers hunters, and makes sure hunters are respecting the farm and following all of the rules established for the hunts that take place on your farm. The goal is to help reduce the number of deer on a farmer’s property, while getting/keeping people into hunting.

Farm Tour hunts offer the opportunity for interested hunters to register for a ground blind with two chairs/spots for a donation of $150/blind to harvest antlerless deer using DMAP tags or in some cases your tags (depending on the hunt). Each hunter is required to have a base license and deer license in order to participate in Farm Tour hunts and must follow all Michigan Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations. Farm Tour hunt coordinators will drop off/pick up hunters at their designated blind, track deer and take donated deer to Sportsmen Against Hunger (or you can keep deer). 

ALL Farm Tour Hunts will be guided by HMC/NDA Hunt Leaders that will meet hunters at the farm, explain the rules, drop off/pick up hunters at pop-up ground blinds, and help field dress and track deer. Hunters will be required to follow all Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations and Farm Tour rules during the hunts.


Michigan white-tailed deer damage many crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, tree fruit, etc. (Courtesy, Davin Harsila)

Interested Farmers

To set up a hunt with the Farm Tour, email admin@huntmicollaborative.com. From there, an HMC/NDA Farm Tour Hunt Coordinator will contact you to provide information, answer questions, and set up a time to scout your farm.


Interested Farm Tour Hunters: How to Register

Farm Tour registration opens at the end of April 2026. You can fill out an Interested Hunters form at Hunt Michigan Collaborative. Sponsors are guaranteed a spot. For more information about sponsoring, email admin@huntmicollaborative.com.



Soybean crops (pictured) and corn are two of the favorites of deer. (Photo Courtesy, pxhere.com)



What is the Hunt Michigan Collaborative?

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) created the Deer Management Initiative (DMI) to gather input and new ideas to improve deer management in Michigan.  

The DMI top rated challenges to address were: limited private land access; presence and spread of diseases; decline of hunters; and extreme deer densities relative to habitat. The DMI top rated objectives were: balanced and healthy deer herd; contain/eradicate disease; increased hunter satisfaction; reduce deer conflicts; increase hunter numbers; increase hunter education on deer/deer management; and improved habitat. 



The source for this content is the Hunt Michigan Collaborative website.



New initiative aims to bring in new hunters and address crop damage in Michigan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Environment, Kent County, Pets/Animals, Sports, West Michigan, , , ,
Michigan white-tailed deer. (Courtesy, Davin Harsila)


By Greg Chrapek
greer@wktv.org


Michigan farmers produce an abundance of crops that feed not only fellow Michiganders, but people across America. Those farmers, however, also have a culprit that takes a toll on their production. That culprit is the large deer population across the state.

Every year, deer cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in crop damage across the state of Michigan.

Initiatives have taken place to combat this problem and one of the organizations that is addressing the problem is the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), an organization dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of America’s hunting heritage.

Across the country, NWTF staff and volunteers seek out innovative ways to welcome new and diverse audiences into America’s hunting traditions, and momentum-building efforts in Michigan are no different. Jen Davis, NWTF hunting and shooting Region 3 coordinator for Michigan, recently promoted the launch of the new Farm Tour retention initiative. Davis presented this new program during the Michigan Soybean Committee’s 2024 Soybean On-Farm Research Summary Tour.


Michigan white-tailed deer. (Courtesy, Davin Harsila)


Hunt Michigan Collaborative partnered with National Deer Association

This program, developed by Hunt Michigan Collaborative in partnership with the National Deer Association, aims to address crop damage on Michigan farms while also creating new opportunities for hunters to hone their skills and contribute to conservation. As a key partner in the initiative, the NWTF plays a vital role in connecting hunters with the Farm Tour program.

The Hunt Michigan Collaborative aims to assimilate and streamline efforts to grow hunter numbers in Michigan, while simultaneously providing landowners, urban areas and farmers with much needed wildlife management. 



Every year, deer cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in crop damage across the state of Michigan, including corn, soybeans, buckwheat, alfalfa and apple crops. (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


The Farm Tour initiative connects farmers experiencing crop damage with conservation organizations seeking land access for new and continuing hunters. This mutually beneficial partnership helps farmers address significant crop losses, estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, while providing hunters with valuable opportunities to fill their freezers and develop their skills. Excess deer harvested during these hunts are donated to local communities through the Hunters Feeding Michigan program.

 “Here in Michigan, as with the broader Midwest region, we are dominated by private land, much of it in agriculture,” Davis said. “We also have abundant wildlife populations filling the remaining adjacent woodlands and wetlands. This can lead to tensions for farmers, for new hunters and for wildlife. The Farm Tour aims to broker relationships that offer solutions for all parties involved.” 

Participating hunters must possess a Michigan hunting license, a valid deer hunting license and must follow all Michigan deer hunting regulations and Farm Tour-specific rules during the hunt.

Farmers interested in joining the program are encouraged to complete the form on the Hunt Michigan Collaborative website https://huntmicollaborative.com and hunters are encouraged to contact Jen Davis at jdavis@nwtf.net or by phone at 734-680-6049.

National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $9 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide healthy habitats and healthy harvests for future generations.