The Hiawatha National Forest, with nearly a million acres of public land, welcomes hunters.

Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor Tom Schmidt reminds hunters that it is important while enjoying public lands to also be respectful of private lands. The following information provides reminders about the use and enjoyment of National Forest land:

Camping on the Hiawatha: There is a 16-day maximum stay limit at any one location while camping on the Hiawatha. Anyone wishing to continue camping after 16 days must move more than one mile away. While camping on the National Forest, campers are allowed to gather downed wood for campfires, but that wood cannot be removed from National Forest lands without a valid firewood permit.

Campers are encouraged to visit a local ranger station to provide camping location and contact information in the event of an emergency.

Wheeled Motor Vehicle Use: All wheeled motor vehicles, including ORVs, are only allowed on National Forest roads and trails shown open on the Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map. The map is updated annually and is available free of charge at all Hiawatha National Forest Service Offices or on its Web site. Consult the 2009 Motor Vehicle Use Map to determine which roads, trails, and areas are currently available for motorized use. All cross-country travel (off of the designated routes) is prohibited.

Driving cross-country to blinds or to retrieve a deer after a successful kill is illegal.

Baiting and Hunting: For accurate information about hunting regulations in Michigan, hunters should review the current year’s MDNR “Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide.” The MDNR’s Guide is available at DNR Field Sites and Hiawatha National Forest Offices. There are some differences between hunting on state land versus National Forest land. For instance, hunters should remember that cross-country motorized travel is prohibited on National Forest land, even for baiting or retrieval of big game.

Blinds: Blinds cannot be permanent and must be removed at the conclusion of this season. Blinds on National Forest lands should meet the Michigan DNR’s requirements as described in the 2009 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide (see sections entitled Ground Blinds on Public Land, Raised Platforms and Tree Stands, and Hunting on National Forest Lands).

Emerald Ash Borer: Don’t bring firewood; use only firewood cut and purchased locally, or collected at the site. Infestations of the non-native emerald ash borer (EAB) have been discovered in the forest near Garden and Moran. The pest has also been found off National Forest lands in the U.P.

This infestation has resulted in state-issued quarantine areas. No hardwood firewood is allowed to be transported north across the Mackinac Bridge, or from Wisconsin. Possessing, storing, or transporting firewood of any species onto the Hiawatha National Forest is prohibited. The quarantine maps as well as other EAB information are available by contacting any Hiawatha Ranger District office.

If not controlled, EAB threatens to kill ash trees throughout the Midwest; ash mast is an important food for wildlife.

For additional information, contact a local District Ranger office.