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Eaton County · State game area
Potterville State Game Area public hunting, 2026-27
Potterville State Game Area, 445 acres in Eaton County: deer units and zones, area rules, county harvest and the land nearby.
Photo: Joetography LLC (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Potterville State Game Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Potterville State Game Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What the records say about Potterville State Game Area
On the map Potterville State Game Area sits in Eaton County. On paper it is a DNR state game area. That puts it in southwest Michigan, the DNR Southwest Lower Peninsula Region. Stewardship falls to the DNR Wildlife Division. Measured at 445 acres, it lands 59th of the 95 state game areas we cover. The DNR page gives 444 acres, a little off the mapped total. The DNR area list (180 rows) includes it. Charlotte is the closest town we cover, about 5 miles away; the area lies northeast of it.
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 Potterville State Game Area
Public tracts within a drive of Potterville State Game Area
Besides Potterville State Game Area, the map carries 10 public tracts within driving range. The neighbors add 16,202 acres between them.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Interstate | State game area | 122 | 5.1 mi | northeast |
| Windsor Township | State game area | 328 | 6.2 mi | northeast |
| Grand River Gale Road | State game area | 143 | 14 mi | southeast |
| Portland | State game area | 2,625 | 15 mi | northwest |
| Tamarack Lake | State game area | 266 | 15 mi | northwest |
| Muskrat Lake | State game area | 207 | 22 mi | northeast |
| Rose Lake | State wildlife area | 4,089 | 23 mi | northeast |
| Dansville | State game area | 5,003 | 25 mi | east |
| Grand River | State game area | 1,023 | 26 mi | northwest |
| Sleepy Hollow | State park | 2,396 | 28 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.
What Potterville State Game Area asks of hunters
Potterville State Game Area access terms
Like other DNR game and wildlife land, Potterville State Game Area takes hunters and trappers during open seasons. Signs mark the refuges, safety zones and closed areas; portable, labelled stands and blinds are the rule.
The statewide fine print, applied to Potterville State Game Area
- Tree stands on public land are portable only, go up no earlier than Sept. 1 and come down by March 1, carry the owner's name and address or license or Sportcard number, and use no nails, screws, bolts or screw-in steps.
- Ground blinds may stand from Sept. 1 to the end of the deer seasons; portable blinds come out daily, and constructed blinds need ID and are barred on Zone 3 game areas, parks and recreation areas.
- Orange season runs Aug. 15 to April 30. Exempt: archery deer and bear, turkey, falconry and migratory birds other than woodcock.
- Use the Hunt Fish app or the DNR harvest report page within 72 hours for deer and turkey.
- Safety zone: 450 feet from any occupied building for firearm hunting.
- Public land: no food plots.
- No deer bait: the Lower Peninsula ban covers it.
- Firearm season ORV limits apply: no riding 7-11 a.m. or 2-5 p.m. from Nov. 15 to 30.
What licenses Potterville State Game Area needs
The base license covers small game; deer hunters pick a single or combo license at purchase, and universal antlerless licenses follow the use limit where you hunt.
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.
What hunters chase at Potterville State Game Area
Nothing narrows the game at Potterville State Game Area: the county season rows and zone units below are the guide.
For Eaton County the regulation summaries carry 44 dated hunting rows covering 22 species, among them White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, Ruffed grouse, Woodcock and Pheasant.
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.
Zones and units that take in Potterville State Game Area
The DNR zone line puts it in Zone 3. This ground was in the Limited Firearm Deer Zone, which no longer exists in 2026; rifles are legal across the Lower Peninsula. Antlerless use limit, Eaton County: 5. Eaton County is on the list for the early (Sept. 12-13) and late (Dec. 7-Jan. 1) antlerless firearm seasons. Spring unit ZZ, fall unit I. Spring 2026 dates were the last ones published. Duck dates follow the South Zone: Oct 17-Dec 13 and Dec 26-Dec 27. Wild deer with CWD have been recorded in Eaton County.
Antlerless rules near Potterville State Game Area
| Deer unit | Name | Antlerless | Limit per hunter | Point rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 486 | Southern Lower Peninsula multicounty | – | County limit | None |
| DMU 023 | Eaton county | Open | 5 | None |
| DMU 419 | CWD Management Zone | – | County limit | None |
Bear permits for Potterville State Game Area
| BMU | Hunts | 2026 quota | Points (2025) | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dansville | No bear season | – | – | – |
Spring and fall units for Potterville State Game Area
| Turkey unit | Birds reported | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spring ZZ | 13,292 | Spring 2026, unit |
| Fall I | 822 | Whole unit, in progress |
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.
Every hunt that reaches Potterville State Game Area
For Potterville State Game Area, 44 segments cover deer, small game, waterfowl and furbearers this license year.
| Species | Hunt type | Zone or unit | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 3 | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | December | Zone 3 | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Fall | Open quail county | 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 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 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 | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 2 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 4 | South Zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 2 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 4 | South Zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| 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.
Eaton County harvest near Potterville State Game Area
Deer reported in Eaton County for 2025: 5,870. The reporting era peaked at 5,870 in 2025 and bottomed at 4,774 in 2023. The starred 2026 bar (781) is partial. 364 spring turkeys were reported in Eaton County in 2026. No harvest is published for Potterville State Game Area itself, so county and DMU totals are the finest level.
Reported deer around Potterville State Game Area
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Sum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 339 | 442 | 781 |
| 2025 | 2,866 | 3,004 | 5,870 |
| 2024 | 2,886 | 2,884 | 5,770 |
| 2023 | 2,607 | 2,167 | 4,774 |
| 2022 | 2,792 | 1,995 | 4,787 |
Unit totals near Potterville State Game Area
| Unit | Antlered | Antlerless | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 023 | 2,866 | 3,003 | 5,869 |
Eaton County turkey table
| Measure | Birds |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | 364 |
| Fall so far | 7 |
| Fall 2025 estimate | 28 |
| Hunters, fall 2025 | 165 |
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.
Potterville State Game Area: nearby towns and businesses
Covered towns come first, measured straight-line, then shops, processors and DNR desks.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | Eaton | 5.4 mi | 9,301 | 98 |
| Mulliken | Eaton | 11 mi | 550 | 2,585 |
| Lansing | Ingham | 12 mi | 114,336 | 1,375 |
| Portland | Ionia | 17 mi | 3,770 | 3,443 |
County write-ups on this site: Eaton County.
Butcher shops and taxidermists for Potterville State Game Area trips
Agency offices closest to Potterville State Game Area
The DNR list names Barry Wildlife Office as the local office for Potterville State Game Area.
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.
Sighting in before Potterville State Game Area
Dansville Shooting Range, 22 miles off, is the DNR range nearest Potterville State Game Area. Club ranges within 30 miles follow.
Disciplines: rifle, handgun
Disciplines: trap, rifle, archery, 3D archery, cowboy action
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Trials, classes and dinners near Potterville State Game Area
1 upcoming event on the property or within about 10 miles of it (NWTF banquet). Read October 22, 2026.
Still to come
| Dates | Name | Miles | Place | Link | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2027 | Eaton County Strutting Toms NWTF Banquet / NWTF banquet | 5 | Charlotte (Eaton Co.) | Event details | Source |
Legal shooting light at Potterville State Game Area
Deer hunters at Potterville State Game Area get legal light from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, read from the DNR table for the date.
| 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.
Potterville State Game Area questions with data-backed answers
Which DMU numbers apply on Potterville State Game Area?
Deer unit 486, 023 and 419. The Eaton County use limit is 5.
What game does Potterville State Game Area hold, per the DNR?
Any species in an open season, as long as you follow the area rules.
Which turkey units cover Potterville State Game Area?
Fall unit I; spring 2027 dates are not out yet.
Which bear management unit holds Potterville State Game Area?
Bear Management Unit Dansville. No bear season exists in Dansville BMU.
Does the deer baiting rule allow bait at Potterville State Game Area?
No: the Lower Peninsula ban covers it. Free-ranging deer from Eaton County have tested positive since 2015.
What are the waterfowl rules at Potterville State Game Area?
Use the South Zone dates. Bring non-toxic shot and a plugged gun.
How do I report a deer from Potterville State Game Area?
Within 72 hours, online or in the Hunt Fish app; keep the confirmation number.
Is hunter orange required on Potterville State Game Area?
Aug. 15 through April 30, in daylight shooting hours.
Which Michigan licenses do I need for Potterville State Game Area?
eLicense or the Hunt Fish app sells everything needed; nonresidents pay $151 for the base license.
Are screw-in steps allowed on Potterville State Game Area?
Yes: name and address, license or Sportcard number.
Who writes the rules for Potterville State Game Area?
The DNR Wildlife Division treats it as a DNR state game area.
What other state or federal land is near Potterville State Game Area?
The closest alternatives are Lake Interstate State Game Area (5 miles), Windsor Township State Game Area (6 miles) and Grand River Gale Road State Game Area (14 miles).
Where do Potterville State Game Area hunters stay?
Eaton County holds it, 5 miles from Charlotte.
Potterville State Game Area: what to confirm
Refuges, closures and drawing schedules at Potterville State Game Area can change during the season; the agency page and Mi-HUNT have the current picture.
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: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain).