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Roscommon County, Michigan
Hunting on Bear Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area: units and rules
DMU 072, bear and turkey units, closures, licenses and the nearest towns and services.
Photo: Joetography LLC (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Bear Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area
Bear Creek Flooding WMA, the essentials
Bear Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area is a DNR wildlife management area (a flooding or marsh unit) in Roscommon County. Wildlife Division region: Northern Lower Peninsula Region. The rules on site come from the DNR Wildlife Division. Size ranking: 42nd of 72 wildlife management areas, with 942 acres. On the DNR page it shows as 960 acres. The state list of game and wildlife areas carries it. From Houghton Lake it is about 6 miles southwest.
From the source page (MI DNR Wildlife Property Boundary GIS Acres field); region from the DNR wildlife region layer. Checked October 22, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Bear Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area
Bear Creek Flooding WMA pinned among its neighbors
The bold pin marks Bear Creek Flooding WMA, ringed by 10 other public tracts. Neighboring public acres on the map: 29,250.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wraco Lodge Lake Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 2,018 | 3.2 mi | east |
| Houghton Lake | Research area | 12,131 | 4.4 mi | north |
| Townline Creek Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 662 | 6.8 mi | southeast |
| Houghton Lake Flats South Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 991 | 8.3 mi | north |
| Dead Stream Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 1,024 | 9.5 mi | north |
| Houghton Lake Flats North Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 838 | 10 mi | north |
| Old Fur Farm Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 2,063 | 10 mi | south |
| Denton Creek Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 805 | 14 mi | east |
| Backus Creek | GEMS | 4,339 | 15 mi | northeast |
| Backus Creek | State game area | 4,379 | 15 mi | northeast |
Points from the DNR wildlife, GEMS, parks, forest, USFS, USFWS and NPS layers (MI DNR Wildlife Property Boundary GIS (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Access, rules and licenses for Bear Creek Flooding WMA
Bear Creek Flooding WMA: open to whom
Built around a flooding or waterfowl marsh, Bear Creek Flooding WMA sits in or beside state forest land. Hunting and trapping follow the state seasons; posted refuges and closed areas are the exceptions.
Stands, orange and reporting at Bear Creek Flooding WMA
- On public ground a tree stand must be portable and labelled, may stand from Sept. 1 to March 1, and may not penetrate the bark.
- Ground blinds: Sept. 1 through the deer seasons, no cutting of plants, and no constructed blinds on Zone 3 game areas, parks or recreation areas.
- Hunter orange is required from Aug. 15 to April 30 while taking game in daylight hours; archery deer and bear hunters, turkey hunters and migratory bird hunters other than woodcock are exempt.
- Mandatory harvest reporting: 72 hours for deer and turkey, by app or online.
- No firearm hunting within 150 yards (450 feet) of an occupied building without the occupant's written permission.
- No food plots or artificial gardens on public land.
- Baiting deer is illegal here under the Lower Peninsula ban.
- Bear bait here must be placed on the ground without containers.
- From Nov. 15 to 30, no ORV or snowmobile use 7-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. on land open to public hunting, with listed exceptions.
The license bill for Bear Creek Flooding WMA
Licenses sell through DNR eLicense, license agents and the Hunt Fish app; the base license comes first. Universal antlerless licenses are capped at 10 a year and limited by county or UP DMU.
Access from the source page; public-land stand, blind, safety-zone and food-plot rules from the DNR deer regulations summary; hunter orange from MCL 324.40116; prices from the 2026 license fee tables. Checked October 22, 2026.
Which animals Bear Creek Flooding WMA offers
The agency names no particular game for Bear Creek Flooding WMA; read every open season as applying within its rules.
Read the Roscommon County dates: 43 rows and 24 species, including White-tailed deer, Black bear, Elk and Wild turkey.
Species from the source (The DNR list gives no species for this area; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations.); bag limits from the DNR regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Bear Creek Flooding WMA by zone and unit
For hunting and trapping it lies in Zone 2 (Northern Lower Peninsula). In Roscommon County a hunter may use up to 3 universal antlerless licenses. The early and late antlerless firearm seasons reach Roscommon County. In the Red Oak BMU, 685 licenses go out for hunt 0020; residents needed 9–10 points in 2025. The DNR turkey layer gives spring unit NN and fall unit I; no spring 2027 dates are out. For ducks use the Middle Zone splits, Oct 3-Nov 29 and Dec 12-Dec 13. Elk: unit X, by resident drawing.
DMU details for Bear Creek Flooding WMA
| DMU | Name | Status | Use limit | Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 072 | Roscommon county | Open | 3 | No |
Bear hunting units at Bear Creek Flooding WMA
| Unit | Hunts | License quota | Points 2025 | Registered 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | 1 hunt | 685 | 9–10 | 282 |
Bear Creek Flooding WMA: spring and fall turkey units
| Unit | Birds | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spring NN | 4,156 | Whole unit, spring 2026 |
| Fall I | 822 | Fall 2026, unit |
Zones from the DNR 2026 zone layers as recorded in lands.json; DMU status and APR from the Wildlife Conservation Order; use limits from the 2026 deer summary; BMU hunts and quotas from the 2026 bear summary and bear registration data; turkey from the DNR turkey harvest report; CWD lists from the DNR CWD rules. Checked October 22, 2026.
What is open in Bear Creek Flooding WMA this season
Archery and the Nov. 15 rifle opener are statewide, but bear units, fall turkey units, waterfowl zones and bobcat units decide the rest for Bear Creek Flooding WMA.
| 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) | Red Oak BMU | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Period 1, archery | Red Oak BMU | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| Elk | Hunt period 1 | Elk unit X | Sep 23, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Elk | Hunt period 2 | Elk unit X | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 15, 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.
Bear Creek Flooding WMA: reported deer, turkeys and CWD tests nearby
Hunters reported 1,993 deer in Roscommon County in 2025: 1,043 antlered and 950 antlerless. High year: 2022 at 2,917; low year: 2025 at 1,993. 2026 so far: 314 deer reported, season in progress. Roscommon County hunters reported 139 spring turkeys in 2026, the first year of mandatory turkey reporting. Harvest and CWD figures describe the county as a whole.
Roscommon County deer by year
| Year | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 160 | 154 | 314 |
| 2025 | 1,043 | 950 | 1,993 |
| 2024 | 1,159 | 1,042 | 2,201 |
| 2023 | 1,091 | 922 | 2,013 |
| 2022 | 1,510 | 1,407 | 2,917 |
DMU harvest around Bear Creek Flooding WMA
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 072 | 1,043 | 950 | 1,993 |
Turkey numbers near Bear Creek Flooding WMA
| Measure | Turkeys |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | 139 |
| Fall 2026, partial | 7 |
| 2025 fall survey | 37 |
| Hunters (2025) | 203 |
Deer from the DNR Harvest Report Summary (mandatory reporting; 2026 season to date); CWD from the DNR CWD testing data; turkeys from the turkey harvest report and the 2025 fall survey. Checked October 22, 2026.
Where to stay and shop on a Bear Creek Flooding WMA hunt
Start with a town, then line up a cooler, a processor and a mount.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Lake | Roscommon | 6.2 mi | – | 116,869 |
| Prudenville | Roscommon | 9.6 mi | – | 111,047 |
| Harrison | Clare | 16 mi | 2,170 | 24,872 |
| Marion | Osceola | 18 mi | 798 | 25,815 |
County-level pages to read next: Roscommon County.
Where Bear Creek Flooding WMA hunters get a deer cut or mounted
Bear Creek Flooding WMA: the nearest agency desks
Houghton Lake Wildlife Office handles Bear Creek Flooding WMA, per the DNR list.
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 22, 2026. Call ahead.
Range time before hunting Bear Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area
Supply Road Shooting Range (Grand Traverse County) is the closest DNR range, 39 miles away. Two closer club ranges follow.
Shoots: rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery, 3D archery
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Bear Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area on the Michigan events calendar
DU dinner: 1 upcoming event on site or a few miles away.
Coming up
| On | Event | Miles away | Where held | Sign-up | Found at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 4, 2026 | Houghton Lake Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet / DU dinner | 6 | Lakeside Conference Center in Houghton Lake (Roscommon Co.) | Buy tickets | Source |
Opening and closing minutes for Bear Creek Flooding WMA by zone
The DNR hunting-time map splits the state into Zones A to D from east to west. Each step west adds 6 minutes to the Zone A times below.
| Date | Season point | Zone A | Zone B | Zone C | Zone D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Bear Creek Flooding WMA FAQ for 2026-27
Is there a fall turkey season at Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Spring unit NN, fall unit I.
What duck dates apply at Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
The Middle Zone. Lead shot is not legal for waterfowl.
Can I scatter bait for deer on Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
No bait or feed for deer. This county has no positive wild deer on the DNR list.
Does the Aug. 15 to April 30 orange rule cover Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Yes from Aug. 15 to April 30 while taking game, with exceptions for archery deer and bear, turkey and most migratory birds.
When must I report a turkey from Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Turkeys: within 72 hours, online or app (mandatory from 2026).
Can I leave a tree stand at Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Portable blinds come out daily; constructed blinds need ID and are barred on Zone 3 game areas and parks.
Which licenses work on Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
No special permit for most of it; the base license and the species license are enough.
Is there a second spot near Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Try Wraco Lodge Lake Flooding State Wildlife Management Area (3 miles), Houghton Lake State Wildlife Research Area (4 miles) and Townline Creek Flooding Wildlife Management Area (7 miles), measured in a straight line.
What kind of public ground is Bear Creek Flooding WMA on paper?
It is a DNR wildlife management area (a flooding or marsh unit), run by the DNR Wildlife Division.
Is Bear Creek Flooding WMA large enough for a full day afield?
About 942 acres.
Which covered town is closest to Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Base in Houghton Lake, 6 miles away; it lies in Roscommon County.
Does Bear Creek Flooding WMA publish a species list?
The record lists none, which means all open seasons, within the area rules.
How many antlerless licenses can I use at Bear Creek Flooding WMA?
Units: 072. Up to 3 universal antlerless licenses may be used in Roscommon County.
Heading to Bear Creek Flooding WMA? Read this first
Print the Bear Creek Flooding WMA map, carry your licenses, and check the agency page the week you go.
Sources for this page: Michigan DNR: state wildlife game areas list · DNR GIS; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: A. Drauglis (CC BY-SA 2.0); bgautrea (CC BY-SA 2.0).