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Recreation area · Southeast Lower Peninsula
Hunting Proud Lake Recreation Area in 2026-27
What we could verify about Proud Lake Recreation Area: acreage, units, area rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: Don Henise (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Proud Lake Recreation Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Proud Lake Recreation Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 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.
Proud Lake Recreation Area at a glance
Look for Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County; the record files it as a state recreation area. For DNR purposes it falls in the Southeast Lower Peninsula Region. Management rests with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. Out of 22 recreation areas, its 2,433 acres put it in place 17. Roughly 3 miles northwest of Wolverine Lake.
- Park hunting layer acres: 1,185 open, 1,249 open-restricted and 600 closed.
From the source page (MI DNR Parks Hunting Land Boundary GIS Acres, polygons marked Open or Open-Restricted); region from the DNR wildlife region layer. Checked October 22, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Proud Lake Recreation Area
Quarry and limits at Proud Lake Recreation Area
Proud Lake Recreation Area carries no game list of its own. Any season open where it lies is fair game, within the area rules.
Oakland County seasons cover White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, Ruffed grouse, Woodcock and Pheasant and more: 22 species in 44 rows.
Park restrictions listed in the rules band can still narrow weapons or areas.
Species from the source (The park hunting layer does not list species; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations unless a restriction is listed.); bag limits from the DNR regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Units and limits for Proud Lake Recreation Area
Hunting zone: Zone 3, in the Southern Lower Peninsula. The zone layer still draws the old Limited Firearm Deer Zone over it, but that zone was eliminated for 2026: every legal firearm may now be used across the Lower Peninsula. The universal antlerless use limit for Oakland County is 5. Antlerless firearm hunting in Oakland County includes the September and December-January seasons. Turkey units: ZZ in spring, I in fall (spring 2027 dates not yet set). South Zone ducks: Oct 17-Dec 13 and Dec 26-Dec 27.
Proud Lake Recreation Area: DMUs and antlerless limits
| Unit | Name | Antlerless | Use limit | Antler rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 486 | Southern Lower Peninsula multicounty | – | By county | None |
| DMU 499 | Urban deer management zone | – | – | None |
| DMU 063 | Oakland county | Open | 5 | None |
BMUs over Proud Lake Recreation Area
| BMU | Hunts | Quota 2026 | Points | 2025 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dansville | No bear hunt | – | – | – |
Turkey hunting units over Proud Lake Recreation Area
| Unit | Reported | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spring ZZ | 13,292 | Unit total 2026 |
| Fall I | 822 | Unit total, to date |
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.
Map: Proud Lake Recreation Area and the public tracts around it
Smaller pins show 10 nearby public tracts around Proud Lake Recreation Area. Acres across them: 36,703.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland | Recreation area | 4,458 | 4.9 mi | northwest |
| Pontiac Lake | Recreation area | 3,757 | 8.2 mi | north |
| Island Lake | Recreation area | 4,112 | 11 mi | southwest |
| Davisburg | State wildlife area | 110 | 12 mi | north |
| Brighton | Recreation area | 4,568 | 16 mi | west |
| Holly | Recreation area | 8,084 | 18 mi | north |
| Seven Lakes | State park | 1,481 | 18 mi | northwest |
| Holly Wildlife Unit of Holly | Wildlife unit | 3,224 | 19 mi | north |
| Bald Mountain | Recreation area | 4,519 | 20 mi | northeast |
| Oak Grove | State game area | 2,390 | 23 mi | northwest |
Points from the DNR wildlife, GEMS, parks, forest, USFS, USFWS and NPS layers (MI DNR Parks Hunting Land Boundary GIS (centroid of hunting-open polygons) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside))). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Proud Lake Recreation Area: what is allowed
How access works at Proud Lake Recreation Area
Hunt and trap only the open parts on the DNR park hunting map, buy the Recreation Passport for your vehicle, and respect the 450-foot zone around occupied buildings. Recreation areas are open unless the DNR closes a piece.
- Standard 450' Safety Zones apply around occupied buildings (not shown). No trapping within 50' of mowed portions of developed areas.
- Local Controls: No Centerfire Rifles or Rimfire Rifles.
- No take after 8 am from 9/1 – Labor Day.
- Local Controls: No Firearms except shotguns with shot not larger than No. 2.
- Early goose hunting is allowed in some open zones, 9/1 – 9/15.
Proud Lake Recreation Area: what the regulation summaries require
- Stands may be placed from Sept. 1 and must be gone by March 1. Portable models only, ID attached, no screw-in steps.
- Blind rule on public land: portable ones removed daily, dead-material ones need no label, constructed ones need ID and are out on Zone 3 game areas and parks.
- Wear a hunter orange cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear from Aug. 15 through April 30; bowhunters in archery seasons, turkey hunters and most migratory bird hunters are exempt.
- Within 72 hours of recovering a deer or turkey, report it on the DNR site or the Hunt Fish app.
- The 450-foot (150-yard) safety zone around occupied buildings applies.
- Food plots are not allowed on public ground.
- Deer baiting and feeding are banned across the Lower Peninsula, this area included.
The license bill for Proud Lake Recreation Area
Start with the base license, then add the deer, turkey, waterfowl or pheasant license you need, on eLicense or in the Hunt Fish app. Universal antlerless use is limited by county or UP unit.
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.
Proud Lake Recreation Area hunting calendar
Proud Lake Recreation Area rows run from the September Liberty Hunt and bear periods through the late coyote, fox and bobcat dates.
| Game | Hunt | Unit | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Reported deer and turkeys near Proud Lake Recreation Area
The 2025 reported total for Oakland County was 3,783 deer (2,226 antlered). 2025 was the busiest year on the chart (3,783 deer), 2024 the leanest (2,973). License year 2026 is still running; 780 deer reported by Oct. 22. 239 tested and 0 positive: Oakland County in 2022. Spring 2026 turkey reports for Oakland County: 275 birds. These numbers cover the country around Proud Lake Recreation Area, not the property alone.
Deer reported near Proud Lake Recreation Area
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 422 | 358 | 780 |
| 2025 | 2,226 | 1,557 | 3,783 |
| 2024 | 1,678 | 1,295 | 2,973 |
| 2023 | 1,911 | 1,311 | 3,222 |
| 2022 | 2,054 | 1,388 | 3,442 |
Proud Lake Recreation Area: deer units, 2025
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 063 | 2,226 | 1,557 | 3,783 |
Oakland County CWD by year
| Year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 239 | 0 |
Oakland County turkey harvest
| Item | Birds |
|---|---|
| Spring reported | 275 |
| Fall to date | 33 |
| Fall 2025 | 73 |
| Fall hunters | 399 |
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.
Base camps, butchers and DNR desks around Proud Lake Recreation Area
Towns first; the services after them are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverine Lake | Oakland | 2.6 mi | 4,504 | 10,764 |
| Walled Lake | Oakland | 3.7 mi | 7,413 | 8,335 |
| Milford | Oakland | 3.8 mi | 6,554 | 13,717 |
| Novi | Oakland | 6.8 mi | 67,675 | 3,026 |
County pages that cover this ground: Oakland County.
Processors, mounts and gun counters near Proud Lake Recreation Area
Local DNR and federal offices for Proud Lake Recreation Area
For Oakland County, the DNR points to DNR Detroit 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.
When the hunting day opens and closes at Proud Lake Recreation Area
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.
Hunting events at or near Proud Lake Recreation Area
Rows marked On site use this property as the venue; the rest are within about 10 miles. 2 upcoming events in all.
Dates ahead
| Date | Event | Mi | Where | Sign up | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2026 | West Oakland, Ducks Unlimited, Sportsman's Night Out / DU dinner | 5 | White Lake Inn in White Lake (Oakland Co.) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Feb 25–28, 2027 | Outdoorama – Ultimate Hunting Show Detroit 2027 / Outdoor show | 7 | Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi (Oakland Co.) | Event details | Source |
Proud Lake Recreation Area: ranges nearby
Drive about 8 miles to Island Lake Shooting Range for a DNR range. The next cards are clubs nearby.
Set up for archery, 3D archery
Set up for trap, shotgun
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Proud Lake Recreation Area hunting questions, short answers
Is Proud Lake Recreation Area large enough for a full day afield?
Acreage on record: 2,433.
Which division or agency runs Proud Lake Recreation Area?
It is a state recreation area, run by the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.
Are some animals off limits at Proud Lake Recreation Area?
The record lists none, which means all open seasons, within the area rules.
Which town makes a good base for a Proud Lake Recreation Area hunt?
Oakland County, roughly 3 miles from Wolverine Lake.
Is there a bear season at Proud Lake Recreation Area?
Dansville for bear. Dansville BMU has no bear season.
Which deer units take in Proud Lake Recreation Area?
DMU 486, 499 and 063. Oakland County caps antlerless use at 5.
Is Proud Lake Recreation Area in the North, Middle or South Zone?
South Zone for ducks and geese. Shotguns hold 3 shells and fire non-toxic shot.
Is Proud Lake Recreation Area in a spring turkey unit?
Spring ZZ and fall I.
Can bowhunters skip orange at Proud Lake Recreation Area?
Hunter pink is an approved alternative; the rule runs Aug. 15 to April 30.
Is Proud Lake Recreation Area under the Lower Peninsula baiting ban?
Deer bait is illegal here. The county has no CWD positives on the DNR list.
What are the blind rules at Proud Lake Recreation Area?
From Sept. 1; they must be gone by March 1.
How many hours do I have to report a Proud Lake Recreation Area deer?
Within 72 hours of recovery or before the animal changes hands.
Is Proud Lake Recreation Area open to hunting at all?
The open zones on the park hunting map. 600 acres are closed.
Proud Lake Recreation Area wrap-up
Print the Proud Lake Recreation Area map, carry your licenses, and check the agency page the week you go.
Sources for this page: DNR GIS · Michigan DNR: rules; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: rkramer62 (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).