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Iosco County · Northern Lower Peninsula
Michigan hunting around Sand Lake
Public ground measured from Sand Lake, the Iosco County deer units and antlerless limits, bear and turkey units, CWD and baiting status, reported harvest and the shops that serve hunters.
Photo: Tawas Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest) (beside Sand Lake), standing in for the town. ksblack99 (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Iosco County, in the northern Lower Peninsula, is home to the unincorporated community (a Census-designated place) of Sand Lake. Tawas Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest) starts at the town line, so Sand Lake works as its base. A 10-mile circle around Sand Lake takes in close to 67,590 mapped public acres on 2 properties. Closest on the list is Tawas Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest), which runs right up to town.
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer; public acreage and boundary distances within 10 miles are a GIS measure over the DNR wildlife property, park hunting-land and state forest layers and the USFS, USFWS and NPS boundaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Sand Lake: DMUs, antler rules and baiting
County DMUs sit under bigger overlay units in Michigan, so a spot near Sand Lake can be in several at once.
All of Iosco County is deer Zone 2. The DNR set the Iosco County antlerless use limit at 5 licenses for 2026-27. Iosco County is open to the early antlerless firearm hunt (Sep 12 to Sep 13, 2026) and the late one (Dec 7, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027).
| DMU | Kind | Antler points | Antlerless cap | 2025 harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 035 (Iosco County) | County unit | None | 5 | 2,895 |
| DMU 487 (Northeast Lower Peninsula multi-County) | Overlay unit | None | County limit | – |
No CWD-positive free-ranging deer is listed for Iosco County. The 2025 CWD table shows 0 positive of 146 tested in Iosco County. The DNR donation page lists Iosco County as a bovine TB test county. The Lower Peninsula baiting and feeding ban covers this county.
Zones and units from counties.json (DNR layers) and the Wildlife Conservation Order; use limits, CWD areas, TB area and baiting from the DNR 2026 deer regulation summary; county CWD tests from DNR CWD testing data; donation testing from the DNR deer donation page; DMU harvest from the DNR harvest report summary. Checked October 22, 2026.
Land open to hunting around Sand Lake
Sorted by nearest boundary, then by centre distance. Each property page carries its own closed areas, safety zones and season notes.
230,775 acres make Gladwin Forest Management Unit (State Forest) the largest property near Sand Lake. None of the Wildlife Division game areas falls within 10 miles of Sand Lake. State forest land nearby falls under Gladwin Forest Management Unit (State Forest). Federal options begin with Tawas Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest).
| Name | Direction | Land type | Manager | Nearest line | Centre point | Size (ac) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tawas Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest) at town to Sand Lake Main area | N | Ranger district | US Forest Service | at town | 5.9 mi | 126,214 | deer, bear |
| Gladwin Forest Management Unit (State Forest) 6.5 mi to Sand Lake | SW | State forest unit | DNR Forest | 6.5 mi | 48 mi | 230,775 | deer, bear |
| Rifle River Recreation Area 19 mi to Sand Lake | W | Recreation area | DNR Parks | 10+ mi | 19 mi | 4,194 | Partly closed |
| Harrisville Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest) 21 mi to Sand Lake | N | Ranger district | US Forest Service | 10+ mi | 21 mi | 165,234 | deer, bear |
| Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area 24 mi to Sand Lake | S | State wildlife area | DNR Wildlife | 10+ mi | 24 mi | 6,746 | – |
| Grayling Forest Management Unit (State Forest) 27 mi to Sand Lake | NW | State forest unit | DNR Forest | 10+ mi | 27 mi | 246,649 | deer, bear |
| Hubbard Lake State Game Area 30 mi to Sand Lake | N | State game area | DNR Wildlife | 10+ mi | 30 mi | 522 | – |
| Lame Duck Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) 31 mi to Sand Lake | SW | GEMS grouse site | DNR GEMS | 10+ mi | 31 mi | 11,369 | ruffed grouse, woodcock |
| Molasses River Flooding No.1 Wildlife Management Area 31 mi to Sand Lake | SW | Flooding (SWMA) | DNR Wildlife | 10+ mi | 31 mi | 1,651 | – |
| Sturgeon Point State Park 33 mi to Sand Lake | NE | State park | DNR Parks | 10+ mi | 33 mi | 50 | Partly closed |
Lands, acreage and notes from DNR property lists, DNR GIS acreage and federal hunting pages (lands.json); boundary distances inside 10 miles from places.json; centre distances are straight lines from the Census point for Sand Lake. Checked October 22, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Sand Lake area deer and turkey harvest
County totals from the DNR harvest report summary, with the 2026 figure still growing.
In 2025, 2,895 deer were reported from Iosco County. Among the 83 counties, Iosco placed 45th. The 2022 count stood at 3,386. The running 2026 figure is 529 deer, before the Nov. 15 opener.
The 2026 turkey total for Iosco County is 127 so far, 56th among counties. Survey estimates for fall 2025 put Iosco County at 38 turkeys from 254 hunters.
Deer and 2026 turkey from the DNR harvest report summary (2026 is season to date, retrieved October 22, 2026); fall 2025 turkey survey from the DNR wildlife publications (Report 3754). Checked October 22, 2026.
Michigan DNR offices for Sand Lake hunters
DNR customer service centers sell licenses and answer hunting questions in person. The one nearest Sand Lake is listed first.
DNR Roscommon Customer Service Center · W 47 mi
Huron-Manistee National Forests Huron Shores Ranger Station (Tawas and Harrisville Ranger Districts), about 18 mi out
Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center, about 18 mi out
From the DNR customer service center page and the federal office pages listed in services.json, checked October 22, 2026.
Iosco County bear and turkey units near Sand Lake
What a Sand Lake hunter applies for: the bear unit and its numbers, then the turkey and elk units.
Iosco County falls in the Red Oak BMU and Gladwin BMU; bear licenses are drawn with preference points. The 2024 DNR survey put Red Oak BMU hunter success at 57%. Sand Lake turkey hunters apply in unit NN; the spring 2027 structure is not published yet. Unit I fall turkey: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14, licenses unlimited.
| Unit | Periods | Quota 2026 | Points to draw | Bears, 2024 | Bears, 2025* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak BMU | 1 | 685 | 9–10 | 346 | 282 |
| Gladwin BMU | 1 | 95 | 8–9 | 43 | 33 |
| Turkey unit | Hunt number | Open | License quota | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring unit NN | 0134 | April 18 – May 1 | 18,000 | Spring 2026 |
| Fall unit I | 0401 | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | Unlimited | Fall 2026 |
Units from counties.json (DNR layers); bear hunts, quotas and points from the DNR 2026 bear summary; registered bears and the 2024 survey from the DNR bear data and bear harvest reports; turkey hunts from the DNR spring turkey summary and fall turkey summary; small game units from the small game, waterfowl and fur harvester summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Sand Lake: hunting calendar
Archery and the Nov. 15 rifle opener are statewide, but bear units, fall turkey units, waterfowl zones and bobcat units decide the rest for Sand Lake.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early antlerless firearm | Listed antlerless county | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Liberty Hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, early | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Independence Hunt | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular firearm | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, late | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | December firearm | Lower Peninsula | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late antlerless firearm | Listed antlerless county | Dec 7, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) | Gladwin BMU | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) | Red Oak BMU | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 (archery only) | Gladwin BMU | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 (archery only) | Red Oak BMU | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall unit I | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Fall first part | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Fall second part | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Fall | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Fall | Zone 2 | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Fox and gray squirrel | Private-land season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| Fox and gray squirrel | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Private-land season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Crow | Summer | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Crow | Late winter | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Middle Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Middle Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Veterans days | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Youth weekend | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 1 | Middle Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 2 | Middle Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | Middle Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 2 | Middle Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Management season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Management season | Statewide | Mar 2, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Coyote | Regular hunting | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | Bobcat Unit D | Jan 1, 2027 | Feb 1, 2027 | |
| Feral swine | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Opossum | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Skunk | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Woodchuck | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 hunting regulation summaries (deer, bear, elk, turkey, small game, waterfowl and furbearer editions), checked October 22, 2026.
Sand Lake venison processors, taxidermists and gun shops
The DNR issues taxidermy permits but publishes no list of holders, so taxidermists come from directory listings. Call before you drive. Community Cuts processes donated deer for the DNR program.
| Kind | 15 mi | 35 mi | Closest listing | Distance | In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer cutting | 0 | 3 | Community Cuts | 16 mi SW | Prescott |
| Taxidermists | 3 | 8 | Ausable River Taxidermy | 0.6 mi W | National City |
| Hunting preserves | 0 | 2 | Cherry Creek Farm | 33 mi NW | Mio |
| Hunting shops | 4 | 27 | Dehners Sports Center | 0.4 mi N | National City |
Deer cutting
Taxidermists
Hunting preserves
Hunting shops
Processors from the DNR Hunters Feeding Michigan list, DNR deer sample sites and Yellow Pages; shops from the DNR license agent map (license-only counters left out) and Yellow Pages; preserves from the DNR game bird preserve directory and Yellow Pages; taxidermists from Yellow Pages (the DNR taxidermy permit list is not public). Checked October 22, 2026; hours were not checked.
Sand Lake legal hunting light
Ducks and geese stop at sunset and early teal and woodcock start at sunrise; these deer times are for big game and most small game.
| Date | Moment | Zone A hours | Zone B hours | Zone C hours | Zone D hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:59 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Independence Hunt | 7:15 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Firearm opener | 6:53 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Firearm close | 7:11 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | December hunts | 7:16 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late archery close | 7:31 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 7:37 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:43 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:49 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
Zone A times from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer hunting hours table, zone offsets from the DNR hunting hours map legend, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours for every zone.
Sand Lake area hunting events
Read October 22, 2026. 1 upcoming event fall inside about 30 miles, covering DU sportsman bingo.
On the calendar
| Held | What | Miles away | Where | Register | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Saginaw Bay Chapter "Bingo for Boomsticks" Event / DU sportsman bingo | 28 | Sunrise Community Resource Center in Standish (Arenac Co.) | Buy tickets | Source |
Shooting near Sand Lake
The three closest to Sand Lake, each card with its access rule.
Lines: trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, rifle
Lines: archery, trap, rifle, handgun, shotgun
Lines: trap, archery, muzzleloader, shotgun
About 54 miles to Voyer Lake Shooting Range, the nearest range on DNR land. Hours and rules
Straight-line miles from the town center; ranges checked October 22, 2026.
Sand Lake hunting FAQ
How many bucks can I take near Sand Lake?
Michigan allows two antlered deer a year; DMU 117 allows one. Choose a single deer license or a deer combo license at purchase.
How soon must a deer be reported in Michigan?
Mandatory reporting: 72 hours, online or Hunt Fish app. Report first: DNR testing takes deer heads only with a filed harvest report.
How many deer does Iosco County report?
The 2025 reported total for Iosco County was 2,895. That placed Iosco 45th of 83 counties.
Which public hunting land lies closest to Sand Lake?
Closest is Tawas Ranger District (Huron-Manistee National Forest), which runs right up to town. Second closest to Sand Lake is Gladwin Forest Management Unit (State Forest).
Is Iosco County in the North, Middle or South Zone?
Iosco County is in the Middle Zone. Season dates for each zone are in the table above.
What deer units cover Iosco County?
The county’s units are DMU 035 (Iosco County) and DMU 487 (Northeast Lower Peninsula multi-County).
How many mapped public acres can Sand Lake hunters reach?
Roughly 67,590 acres sit inside 10 miles. Counting land farther out, the table on this page lists 10 places to hunt.
May I bait deer near Sand Lake?
Iosco County: no CWD on record. Baiting and feeding deer are banned across the Lower Peninsula.
What is the antlerless license limit in Iosco County?
The limit for Iosco County is 5. No drawing is needed; a hunter may buy up to 10 a year.
How many turkeys does Iosco County report?
Iosco County is unit NN in spring and I in fall. The fall season is Sept. 15 – Nov. 14. 127 turkeys have been reported from the county in 2026.
Which BMU holds Sand Lake?
Iosco County is in the Red Oak BMU and Gladwin BMU. 685 2026 licenses, by drawing. 282 bears were registered there in 2025 (preliminary).
What time can I shoot on the firearm opener near Sand Lake?
Opening day legal light is 6:53 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. in Zone A, later to the west.
Answers drawn from the sources listed in each section above; harvest reporting and the antlered deer limit from the DNR 2026 deer regulation summary. Checked October 22, 2026.
Sand Lake trip checklist
Before leaving Sand Lake, confirm your DMU, the antlerless use limit and any closed areas on the property you plan to hunt.
Other photos on this page: USDA Forest Service Eastern Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0); USDA Forest Service Eastern Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); GlacierNPS (Public domain); Fyn Kynd (CC BY 2.0); NWCouncil (CC BY 2.0).