HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Lotteries are now open for Ottawa County Parks and Recreation sites, which includes 3,400 acres of select properties. Five of the properties require a special permit, hence the lotteries, which are now open.
Properties requiring a special permit for hunting include:
Crockery Creek Natural AreaUpper Macatawa Natural AreaStearns Creek ParkNorth Ottawa Dunes/Ottawa Sands
Lottery drawings are held prior to the hunting periods at each of these sites. Hunters may apply for both lotteries, but may submit only one application for each; duplicate entries results in removal from lottery.
Details:
Crockery Creek Natural Area, Upper Macatawa Natural Area, Stearns Creek Park are open to archery deer hunting by special permit only, for sessions from Saturday, Oct. 12, through Thursday, Nov. 14, 2020; and Sunday, Dec. 1, 2020 through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2021. The parks remain open for hiking, fishing, and other recreational uses during the hunting season. Special hunting rules and regulations are in effect for these hunts; please review before you apply.
The deadline to apply is Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. Hunters may only apply once — duplicate entries result in disqualification.
All applicants will get lottery results via e-mail by Sept. 11, 2020. Hunters selected to receive a permit must:
- Complete and return the emailed liability release form.
- Pay the $20 non-refundable permit fee to the parks office.
- Read and agree to follow the rules for the hunt.
- Complete a post-season survey. Failure to complete this survey will result in being excluded from the opportunity for a special permit in the future.
Apply for a special permit at Crockery Creek, Upper Macatawa, Stearns Creek Park
North Ottawa Dunes and Ottawa Sands will be open for permit-only firearm hunting via Lakeshore Wildlife Management from Nov. 20 through 23, 2020.
Both parks will be closed to the general public on all four days. Special hunting rules and regulations are in effect for this hunt. Hunters ned to know the rules before applying to the lottery.
The deadline to apply online is Monday, Aug. 31. One application per hunter. Duplicate applicationed will result in the the hunter being dropped from the lottery. Results will be e-mailed to applicants by Oct. 4, 2020. Hunter requirements:
- Complete and return a liability release form (will be sent by e-mail to those selected).
- Pay the $20 non-refundable permit fee before the pre-hunt meeting.
- Attend a required pre-hunt meeting online via Zoom (link will be provided to those chosen to hunt) on either 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 or 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
- Complete a post-season survey. Failure to complete this survey will result in being excluded from the opportunity for a special permit in the future.
