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GEMS, the Upper Peninsula
Hazel Swamp Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) for deer, birds and more
2,377 acres of GEMS in Houghton County, with 2026-27 units, use limits, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: rharrison (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Hazel Swamp Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
Key facts on Hazel Swamp GEMS
Hazel Swamp Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) belongs with the grouse sites of Houghton County. The DNR Wildlife Division counts it in its Upper Peninsula Region, which covers the Upper Peninsula. The DNR GEMS program manages the ground. Its 2,377 acres make it the 14th largest of 19 grouse sites in our Michigan list. The nearest covered town is Pelkie, around 4 miles off as the crow flies.
- Getting there: approximately 15 miles northwest of Baraga, north of M38.
- Start at the kiosk (46.8378, -88.7222).
From the source page (MI DNR GEMS Site Boundaries GIS acres field); region from the DNR wildlife region layer. Checked October 22, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hazel Swamp Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
Access, closures and licenses on Hazel Swamp GEMS
Access rules for Hazel Swamp GEMS
The GEMS layout at Hazel Swamp GEMS is a parking area, a kiosk with area notes and a trail network. Any open state season can be hunted under the manager's rules.
Michigan rules that travel with you onto Hazel Swamp GEMS
- Put a portable stand up after Aug. 31 and take it down by March 1; label it with your ID, and skip screw-in steps, nails and bolts.
- Blinds go up from Sept. 1. Constructed blinds carry ID and are banned on state game areas, parks and recreation areas in Zone 3; no cutting vegetation for any blind.
- Between Aug. 15 and April 30 take game in hunter orange (pink is an approved color); turkey and duck hunters do not need it.
- Deer and turkeys must be reported within 72 hours (or before the animal changes hands) through the DNR website or the Hunt Fish app.
- A 150-yard safety zone surrounds every occupied building.
- The DNR bars food plots on public land.
- Deer baiting here follows the Upper Peninsula rule: Sept. 15 to Jan. 1, 2 gallons, spread out.
- No man-made containers for bear bait on public or Commercial Forest land.
- No ORV riding on public hunting land in the morning and late afternoon hours of Nov. 15-30.
Licenses and prices for Hazel Swamp GEMS
A base license plus the species license is the Michigan formula. Universal antlerless licenses are sold over the counter, up to 10, with use limits by county and 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.
Where Hazel Swamp GEMS sits among the state and federal tracts
Hazel Swamp GEMS is the big pin, with 10 neighbors around it. Add them up and the neighbors hold 532,118 acres.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pike Lake Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 130 | 5.7 mi | west |
| Sturgeon River Sloughs | Flooding or WMA | 8,964 | 13 mi | northeast |
| Baraga Plains | Flooding or WMA | 13,361 | 15 mi | southeast |
| Ontonagon | Ranger district | 144,587 | 16 mi | southwest |
| Baraga Forest Management Unit | Forest unit | 142,356 | 18 mi | southwest |
| Kenton | Ranger district | 211,314 | 23 mi | south |
| F.J. McLain | State park | 182 | 28 mi | north |
| Nestoria Creek Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 124 | 29 mi | southeast |
| Net River Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 298 | 29 mi | south |
| Craig Lake | State park | 10,802 | 32 mi | southeast |
Points from the DNR wildlife, GEMS, parks, forest, USFS, USFWS and NPS layers (MI DNR GEMS boundary GIS (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Unit lines at Hazel Swamp GEMS
Zone on the DNR map: Zone 1. DMU 131 is closed to universal antlerless licenses in 2026. The Baraga unit's first hunt period (Sept. 9 – Oct. 21) has a 2026 quota of 305 licenses. Spring turkey falls under unit M and fall turkey under unit M. The 2027 spring dates are still to come. Regular duck splits here: Sep 26-Nov 22 and Nov 28-Nov 29.
Hazel Swamp GEMS deer units
| Unit | Name | Antlerless | Licenses usable | Antler points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 131 | Twin lakes unit | Closed | Closed | None |
Hazel Swamp GEMS: bear management units
| BMU | Periods | Quota | Points needed | Bears taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baraga | 3 hunts | 1,570 | 3–4 | 349 |
Turkey units at Hazel Swamp GEMS
| Unit | Harvest | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Spring M | 1,254 | Unit-wide, spring 2026 |
| Fall M | 124 | All of unit, partial |
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.
Hazel Swamp GEMS: the game on record
The source names ruffed grouse and woodcock for Hazel Swamp GEMS.
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
The list is not a limit: every season open in Houghton County applies here within the area rules.
Species from the source (GEMS are DNR grouse (and woodcock) hunting sites; other open seasons also apply.); bag limits from the DNR regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Hazel Swamp GEMS season dates for 2026-27
22 species and 40 dated segments apply in Hazel Swamp GEMS; the last column checks each against today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Muzzleloader | Upper Peninsula | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 | Amasa BMU | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 | Baraga BMU | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 2 | Amasa BMU | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 2 | Baraga BMU | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 3 | Amasa BMU | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 3 | Baraga BMU | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall unit M | 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 | |
| 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 | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | North Zone | Nov 28, 2026 | Nov 29, 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 | North Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | North Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 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 A | Jan 1, 2027 | Mar 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.
Hazel Swamp GEMS trip planning: towns and services
Each town below has its own hunting page on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelkie | Baraga | 4.1 mi | – | 50,417 |
| Baraga | Baraga | 12 mi | 1,795 | 24,970 |
| L'Anse | Baraga | 14 mi | 1,916 | 21,523 |
| Chassell | Houghton | 16 mi | – | 13,681 |
Go wider with the county pages: Houghton County.
Hazel Swamp GEMS: businesses in the area
Hazel Swamp GEMS: the nearest agency desks
Houghton County is served by DNR Baraga Customer Service Center.
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.
Deer, turkeys and CWD around Hazel Swamp GEMS
Last full license year (2025) Houghton County gave up 830 reported deer. Since mandatory reporting began in 2022 the yearly count has ranged from 697 (2023) to 1,007 (2022). The 2026 bar is season to date (78 deer by Oct. 22). In 2025 the DNR tested 57 Houghton County deer; 0 were positive. Houghton County: 105 spring birds reported in 2026. Harvest and CWD figures describe the county as a whole.
Deer table, Houghton County
| License year | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 41 | 37 | 78 |
| 2025 | 587 | 243 | 830 |
| 2024 | 810 | 132 | 942 |
| 2023 | 578 | 119 | 697 |
| 2022 | 885 | 122 | 1,007 |
2025 deer by unit near Hazel Swamp GEMS
| Unit | Antlered | Antlerless | Total 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 131 | 273 | 70 | 343 |
Wild deer checked for CWD in Houghton County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 57 | 0 |
| 2024 | 71 | 0 |
Houghton County turkeys
| Figure | Number |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 birds | 105 |
| Fall 2026 so far | 13 |
| Fall 2025 (survey) | 48 |
| Fall 2025 hunters | 212 |
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 shoot near Hazel Swamp Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
Nearest DNR range: Skoglund-Erickson Shooting Range, roughly 64 miles from Hazel Swamp Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS). Nearer club ranges are shown as well.
Lines: handgun, rifle, shotgun, archery
Lines: trap, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery
Lines: trap, 5-stand, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
DNR hunting hours for Hazel Swamp GEMS
Michigan deer hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. The DNR prints one Zone A table and adds 6, 12 or 18 minutes for Zones B, C and D.
| When | Event | A zone | B zone | C zone | D zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hunter questions on Hazel Swamp GEMS
What do baiting and CWD rules mean for Hazel Swamp GEMS?
UP baiting is legal Sept. 15-Jan. 1, 2 gallons. Not a CWD county.
Which waterfowl zone covers Hazel Swamp GEMS?
North Zone splits apply. Carry non-toxic shot for ducks and geese.
Do I take a Hazel Swamp GEMS deer to a check station?
Check stations are fewer now; mandatory online or app reporting within 72 hours is the rule.
Which months need orange at Hazel Swamp GEMS?
No: turkey hunters are exempt from the orange rule.
Do I need permission to hunt Hazel Swamp GEMS?
A Michigan base license ($11 resident) plus the species license.
How long can a blind stay on Hazel Swamp GEMS?
Portable stands only, from Sept. 1 to March 1, labelled with your ID.
What public ground borders or neighbors Hazel Swamp GEMS?
The three nearest are Pike Lake Flooding Wildlife Management Area (6 miles), Sturgeon River Sloughs Wildlife Management Area (13 miles) and Baraga Plains State Wildlife Management Area (15 miles).
Is Hazel Swamp GEMS only for grouse?
Young forest managed for ruffed grouse and woodcock, with walk-in access.
How big is Hazel Swamp GEMS on the map?
2,377 acres, per MI DNR GEMS Site Boundaries GIS acres field.
Whose land is Hazel Swamp GEMS?
The DNR GEMS program oversees this Grouse Enhanced Management Site.
Which quarry does Hazel Swamp GEMS list?
2 groups on the list: ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Which county holds most of Hazel Swamp GEMS?
Pelkie is closest (4 miles); the ground is in Houghton County.
Which BMU do I apply for to hunt Hazel Swamp GEMS?
It is in the Baraga BMU. Apply May 1-June 1 in the bear drawing for the Baraga unit.
Hazel Swamp GEMS: the last checklist
One last look before the drive: the Hazel Swamp GEMS map, your licenses in the Hunt Fish app and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: Michigan DNR: where · DNR GIS; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: YellowstoneNPS (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain).