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GEMS · Upper Peninsula
Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS): where, what and how to hunt
A hunter's summary of Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) in Mackinac County: units and limits, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: naql (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
Strickler GEMS: the record card
Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) counts as a Grouse Enhanced Management Site, and it lies in Mackinac County. Its home region at the DNR is the Upper Peninsula Region. The DNR GEMS program sets the rules on site. By acreage (2,166) it ranks 15th in a group of 19 grouse sites. Roughly 9 miles east of Naubinway.
- Where to find it, per the GEMS layer: approximately 8 miles east of Naubinway and 7 miles west of Epoufette.
- GPS for the kiosk: 46.1281, -85.2896.
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 Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
Who can hunt Strickler GEMS, and on what terms
Entry terms, Strickler GEMS
Grouse Enhanced Management Sites such as Strickler GEMS are built for walk-in bird hunting: park at the lot, read the kiosk and follow the trails. State seasons apply, under the landowner's rules.
Michigan rules that follow you to Strickler GEMS
- The DNR stand rule for public land: portable, ID affixed, Sept. 1 to March 1, no nails, screws or bolts.
- From Sept. 1 to the end of deer season blinds are allowed; constructed blinds need ID and are prohibited on game areas, parks and recreation areas in Zone 3.
- From mid-August to the end of April, a hunter orange outer layer is the law in daylight; camouflage counts if half of it is orange. Turkey and waterfowl hunters are exempt.
- Harvest reporting is required for deer and turkey inside 72 hours; failing to report is a civil infraction.
- Firearm hunters keep 150 yards from occupied dwellings, cabins and farm buildings.
- Planting a food plot on public land is not legal.
- Upper Peninsula deer baiting is legal Sept. 15 to Jan. 1, up to 2 gallons scattered over a 10-by-10-foot area.
- On public land, bear bait goes on the ground, never in a container.
- The Nov. 15-30 ORV closure hours apply on this public land.
Strickler GEMS: licenses to carry
Buy in the Hunt Fish app, at an agent or on eLicense. Every hunter needs the base license; antlerless licenses (up to 10) obey the county or DMU use limit.
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.
Strickler GEMS and nearby public ground
Strickler GEMS at the big pin; the nearest 10 public places around it. Between them the nearby tracts list 1,154,674 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 2,777 | 20 mi | west |
| Dollarville Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 3,013 | 22 mi | northwest |
| Sault Ste. Marie | Ranger district | 243,502 | 23 mi | northeast |
| Beaver Islands | Research area | 43,438 | 24 mi | southwest |
| St. Ignace | Ranger district | 152,925 | 25 mi | east |
| Sault Ste. Marie Forest Management Unit | Forest unit | 334,295 | 25 mi | east |
| Newberry Forest Management Unit | Forest unit | 359,596 | 27 mi | north |
| Halifax | GEMS | 2,718 | 31 mi | north |
| Wilderness | State park | 11,159 | 32 mi | southeast |
| O'Neal Lake Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 1,251 | 33 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.
Strickler GEMS deer units, bear units and zones
It is Zone 1 ground in the Upper Peninsula. DMU 351 no longer exists in 2026; the layer label is a leftover. DMU 249: use limit 0. For bear the unit is Newberry; its 2026 hunt 0016 quota is 200. For turkeys it is unit M (spring) and M (fall); the 2027 spring calendar has not been printed. Waterfowl: North Zone, regular duck season Sep 26-Nov 22 and Nov 28-Nov 29.
The deer units around Strickler GEMS
| DMU | Unit name | Antlerless status | Antlerless use limit | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 249 | Trout lake unit | Open | Closed | No APR |
Strickler GEMS bear units
| Bear unit | Hunts | Quota | Points (res.) | 2025 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newberry | 3 hunts | 880 | 9–10 | 334 |
Strickler GEMS turkey units
| Unit | Reported harvest | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spring M | 1,254 | All of unit, 2026 |
| Fall M | 124 | Unit-wide, fall 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.
Game you can hunt at Strickler GEMS
The agency's game list for Strickler GEMS reads ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
Any other game open in Mackinac County is legal here within the 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.
Strickler GEMS openers and closers in one table
Private ground and public ground share these dates in Strickler GEMS; a state park, refuge or national lakeshore can set its own limits.
| Animal | Segment | Area | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Newberry BMU | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 2 | Newberry BMU | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 3 | Newberry 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 | |
| Sharp-tailed grouse | Fall | Eastern UP unit | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| 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.
Lodging, fuel and a processor near Strickler GEMS
Pick a town for the night, then a processor for the deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naubinway | Mackinac | 8.7 mi | – | 45,158 |
| Newberry | Luce | 20 mi | 1,390 | 112,544 |
| St. James | Charlevoix | 29 mi | – | 36,798 |
| St. Ignace | Mackinac | 31 mi | 2,331 | 39,314 |
Each county here has its own page: Mackinac County.
Who handles a deer from Strickler GEMS
Office phone numbers that handle Strickler GEMS
Licenses and questions for Mackinac County go through DNR Newberry 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.
What hunters reported from the county around Strickler GEMS
2025 in Mackinac County: 698 antlered, 88 antlerless, 786 in all. The reporting era peaked at 835 in 2022 and bottomed at 713 in 2023. Season to date (Oct. 22, 2026): 62 deer. The DNR sampled 51 deer from Mackinac County in 2025, with 0 CWD positives. With mandatory reporting new in 2026, Mackinac County logged 18 spring turkeys. These are county or unit totals, not Strickler GEMS alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Mackinac County harvest table
| Season | Antlered | Does and fawns | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 41 | 21 | 62 |
| 2025 | 698 | 88 | 786 |
| 2024 | 699 | 76 | 775 |
| 2023 | 540 | 173 | 713 |
| 2022 | 626 | 209 | 835 |
Reported by DMU, Strickler GEMS
| DMU | Antlered | Antlerless | 2025 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 249 | 361 | 41 | 402 |
CWD samples, Mackinac County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51 | 0 |
| 2024 | 58 | 0 |
Turkeys reported in Mackinac County
| Figure | Turkeys |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 reported | 18 |
| Fall 2026 | 2 |
| Fall 2025 survey | 13 |
| Fall 2025 hunters | 19 |
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.
Nearest ranges to Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
From Strickler Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS), Voyer Lake Shooting Range is the closest range on DNR land (94 miles). Clubs inside 30 miles are included.
Offers archery, 3D archery
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Strickler GEMS hunting-hour table for key season dates
Use the column for the hunting-time zone that covers Strickler GEMS on the DNR map. Zone D is the far western Upper Peninsula.
| 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.
Strickler GEMS: quick answers
How much ground does Strickler GEMS hold?
The figure used here is 2,166 acres.
Which town makes a good base for a Strickler GEMS hunt?
Mackinac County; Naubinway, the nearest town we cover, is 9 miles away.
What do hunters come to Strickler GEMS for?
Ruffed grouse and woodcock, plus any other season open in the county.
What deer rules apply on Strickler GEMS?
It lies in DMU 249.
How do I get a bear license for Strickler GEMS?
Bear unit: Newberry. Draw a Newberry license with preference points (2025: 9–10 points for residents).
Which unit do I pick for turkeys at Strickler GEMS?
The fall license ($15) is for unit none; spring hunts follow unit M.
What are the waterfowl rules at Strickler GEMS?
It is North Zone ground. Waterfowl hunters need the state waterfowl license, HIP and a federal stamp.
Is it legal to bait deer on Strickler GEMS?
Bait is allowed with limits. The DNR list of counties with a CWD-positive wild deer does not include this one.
Do turkey hunters wear orange at Strickler GEMS?
A hunter orange cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear, visible from all sides, from Aug. 15 to April 30.
Do I register a bear from Strickler GEMS?
Bears go to a DNR registration station within 72 hours for sealing.
When can stands go up at Strickler GEMS?
No: nothing may penetrate the bark on public land.
What does a license for Strickler GEMS cost?
Base license, then deer ($20 single, $40 combo) or other species licenses.
What makes Strickler GEMS a GEMS?
No, all hunting is open under state seasons, though it is managed for grouse and woodcock.
Strickler GEMS: what to confirm
Gates, refuges and open zones at Strickler GEMS are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
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: acryptozoo (CC BY 2.0); Intermountain Region US Forest Service (Public domain).