In an effort to control the deer population, and upon recommendation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation has opened Power Island for bow hunting this fall. Parks and Recreation will issue permits to hunters for the two DNR-established bow hunting seasons, one from October 1 through November 14, 2016, and the other from December 1, 2016, through January 1, 2017.

According to Parks and Recreation Director Kristine Erickson, Parks and Recreation participates in the DNR’s Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAP) program to prevent the deer population’s attrition through starvation. Erickson sees the program as beneficial. “It helps manage an unsustainable deer population on the island, provides a recreational opportunity for bow hunters, and brings food to families’ tables.”

For a $20 administrative fee, permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis by the Parks and Recreation Office at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, 1213 W. Civic Center Drive, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. To qualify, a hunter must have a valid deer license and picture identification, obtain a special access permit from County Parks and Recreation, and agree to follow all DNR hunting guidelines and laws, and park rules. The number of available access permits will vary, based on the number of deer harvested, as determined by the Parks and Recreation Director.

Hunters also must register with the Parks and Recreation Office, and follow up by reporting his or her effort and hunting success. Each permit is for the harvest of one anterless deer. A permit is valid for seven days from the date of issue (unless there are less than seven days remaining in the season), and must be requested at least 24 hours prior to hunting, but not more than seven days prior to the desired time frame. Each unused permit must be returned to the Parks and Recreation Office by a determined date. Permits are non-transferrable, and provide hunters with non-exclusive permission to hunt.

Although the Deer Management Assistance Permit issued by Parks and Recreation only applies to the harvest of antlerless deer, according to the DNR, it may be used in addition to DNR-issued Deer or Deer Combo licenses.