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Bergland base, Ontonagon County
Hunting from Bergland, Michigan
How close Bergland sits to state game areas, state forest and federal land, which DMUs and units cover Ontonagon County, what hunters report there each year and where to bring a deer.
Photo: View from Bessemer Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest), 9.0 mi from Bergland. Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bergland is a unincorporated community (a Census-designated place) in Ontonagon County, in the Upper Peninsula; the county seat is Ontonagon. It was picked as the base town for Bergland Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest), whose nearest boundary is less than a mile out from the town point. 3 public properties reach within 10 miles, together about 77,415 mapped acres. For the shortest drive, begin with Bergland Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest), with its nearest line less than a mile out.
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer; public acreage and boundary distances within 10 miles are a GIS measure over the DNR wildlife property, park hunting-land and state forest layers and the USFS, USFWS and NPS boundaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Bergland public hunting land, closest edge first
Land reaching the 10-mile ring around Bergland comes first. A base-area tag marks the land this town was chosen for.
The largest piece in the ring is Bessemer Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) at 158,909 acres. There is no state game area inside 10 miles of Bergland. Federal land in the ring: Bergland Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) and Bessemer Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest). Norwich Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) is a Grouse Enhanced Management Site within reach.
| Land | Bearing | Kind | Run by | Boundary | Middle | Acreage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergland Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) 0.4 mi to Bergland Base area | N | Ranger district | US Forest Service | 0.4 mi | 1.1 mi | 147,640 | deer, bear |
| Norwich Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) 8.2 mi to Bergland | E | GEMS grouse site | DNR GEMS | 8.2 mi | 7.9 mi | 4,400 | ruffed grouse, woodcock |
| Bessemer Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) 9.0 mi to Bergland | SW | Ranger district | US Forest Service | 9.0 mi | 14 mi | 158,909 | deer, bear |
| Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 15 mi to Bergland | NW | State park | DNR Parks | outside ring | 15 mi | 59,561 | Partly closed |
| Blue Bill Creek Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) 19 mi to Bergland | S | GEMS grouse site | DNR GEMS | outside ring | 19 mi | 9,491 | ruffed grouse, woodcock |
| Mosinee Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) 24 mi to Bergland | SW | GEMS grouse site | DNR GEMS | outside ring | 24 mi | 1,212 | ruffed grouse, woodcock |
| Watersmeet Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) 27 mi to Bergland | SE | Ranger district | US Forest Service | outside ring | 27 mi | 195,088 | deer, bear |
| Ontonagon Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) 30 mi to Bergland | E | Ranger district | US Forest Service | outside ring | 30 mi | 144,587 | deer, bear |
| Baraga Forest Management Unit (State Forest) 32 mi to Bergland | E | State forest unit | DNR Forest | outside ring | 32 mi | 142,356 | deer, bear |
| Kenton Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest) 38 mi to Bergland | E | Ranger district | US Forest Service | outside ring | 38 mi | 211,314 | deer, bear |
Lands, acreage and notes from DNR property lists, DNR GIS acreage and federal hunting pages (lands.json); boundary distances inside 10 miles from places.json; centre distances are straight lines from the Census point for Bergland. Checked October 22, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Drawing units that cover Bergland
Turkey rows are the spring 2026 hunts and fall 2026 season; the DNR has not released spring 2027.
For bear, Bergland hunters apply for the Bergland unit (the county also touches Baraga and Amasa). In 2024 about 43% of Bergland BMU bear hunters took a bear. Spring turkey near Bergland is unit M; the table shows the spring 2026 hunts, since 2027 dates are not out yet. Fall turkey hunt 0402 in unit M runs Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 with a quota of 2,200 licenses.
| BMU | Periods | 2026 licenses | Draw points | 2024 registered | 2025 prelim* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergland BMU | 3 | 835 | 3–4 | 252 | 247 |
| Baraga BMU | 3 | 1,570 | 3–4 | 352 | 349 |
| Amasa BMU | 3 | 510 | 5–6 | 179 | 205 |
| Unit | Hunt | Dates | Quota | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring unit M | 0110 | April 18 – May 31 | 6,000 | Spring 2026 |
| Fall unit M | 0402 | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 2,200 | Fall 2026 |
Units from counties.json (DNR layers); bear hunts, quotas and points from the DNR 2026 bear summary; registered bears and the 2024 survey from the DNR bear data and bear harvest reports; turkey hunts from the DNR spring turkey summary and fall turkey summary; small game units from the small game, waterfowl and fur harvester summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Taking a Bergland deer to the processor
Counts cover 15 and 35 mile circles around Bergland; each group shows the nearest few businesses.
| Category | Count, 15 mi | Count, 35 mi | First stop | How far | Located in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxidermy | 0 | 2 | Greig's Taxidermy & Tackle | 22 mi NE | Ontonagon |
| Guide services | 0 | 1 | North Country Bird Dog Ranch | 16 mi SW | Marenisco |
| Gun and archery stores | 1 | 10 | Steve's Sporting Goods | at town E | Bergland |
Taxidermy
Guide services
Gun and archery stores
Processors from the DNR Hunters Feeding Michigan list, DNR deer sample sites and Yellow Pages; shops from the DNR license agent map (license-only counters left out) and Yellow Pages; preserves from the DNR game bird preserve directory and Yellow Pages; taxidermists from Yellow Pages (the DNR taxidermy permit list is not public). Checked October 22, 2026; hours were not checked.
Deer units and disease rules for Bergland
Units, antler point rules, antlerless use limits and 2025 reported harvest for the DMUs covering Bergland, with CWD, TB and baiting status.
Ontonagon County lies entirely in Zone 1 for deer. Ontonagon County units 027, 066 and 131 are all closed to antlerless use.
| Unit | Unit type | Antler point rule | Antlerless licenses usable | Reported 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 066 (Ontonagon unit) | Upper peninsula unit | None | Closed | 392 |
| DMU 027 (Watersmeet unit) | Upper peninsula unit | None | Closed | 507 |
| DMU 131 (Twin lakes unit) | Upper peninsula unit | None | Closed | 343 |
Ontonagon County sits outside the CWD management zone. Ontonagon County was a focus county in 2025: 7 tested, 0 positive. In the UP, deer may be baited Sept. 15 through Jan. 1 with no more than 2 gallons, spread out.
Zones and units from counties.json (DNR layers) and the Wildlife Conservation Order; use limits, CWD areas, TB area and baiting from the DNR 2026 deer regulation summary; county CWD tests from DNR CWD testing data; donation testing from the DNR deer donation page; DMU harvest from the DNR harvest report summary. Checked October 22, 2026.
First and last days near Bergland
Bergland 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 | 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 1 | Bergland 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 2 | Bergland 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 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 3 | Bergland 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.
Reported game from Ontonagon County
Reported deer by license year for Ontonagon County, then the first year of mandatory turkey reports.
Ontonagon County hunters reported 712 deer in 2025, 625 of them antlered. It was the 77th highest county total in 2025. Compare 1,002 in 2022. So far in 2026 (season to date on Oct 22, 2026), 67 deer have been reported.
Turkey reporting became mandatory in 2026: Ontonagon County shows 55 spring birds and 8 fall birds so far. 24% of fall 2025 turkey hunters in Ontonagon County took a bird, per the DNR survey.
Deer and 2026 turkey from the DNR harvest report summary (2026 is season to date, retrieved October 22, 2026); fall 2025 turkey survey from the DNR wildlife publications (Report 3754). Checked October 22, 2026.
Reaching the DNR from Bergland
For licenses, drawings and disease questions, start with the DNR customer service center closest to Bergland. Wildlife field offices keep short hours.
DNR Baraga Customer Service Center, about 54 mi out
Ottawa National Forest Ontonagon Ranger District, 22 mi NE
Ottawa National Forest Bessemer Ranger Station and Supervisor's Office, 22 mi W
From the DNR customer service center page and the federal office pages listed in services.json, checked October 22, 2026.
Range time near Bergland
Lake Superior Sportsman's Club sits 23 miles from Bergland.
Shoots: rifle, handgun, archery, trap, shotgun
Shoots: trap, sporting clays, 5-stand, rifle, handgun
Shoots: trap, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery
About 99 miles to Skoglund-Erickson Shooting Range, the nearest range on DNR land. See it
Straight-line miles from the town center; ranges checked October 22, 2026.
Bergland legal hunting light
Use the column for the hunting-time zone that covers Bergland 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.
Bergland hunters ask
Which state or federal hunting land sits nearest Bergland, Michigan?
That would be Bergland Ranger District (Ottawa National Forest), with its nearest line less than a mile out. After that, Norwich Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) is the next public land from Bergland.
How many public acres lie in a 10-mile circle around Bergland?
Mapped public land inside 10 miles adds up to about 77,415 acres. 0 of them are DNR game or wildlife areas.
Which DMUs apply around Bergland?
Start with DMU 066 (Ontonagon unit); DMU 027 and DMU 131 overlap it.
Is antlerless deer hunting open near Bergland?
No; every unit here is closed to universal antlerless use.
Is Ontonagon County in a Michigan CWD area?
Not according to the DNR list. Limited UP baiting is legal, 2 gallons per site.
Can I hunt black bear near Bergland?
Bear hunting here follows the Bergland BMU. Its 2026 hunts carry 835 licenses, drawn by preference points. 2025 registrations, preliminary: 247.
What turkey unit covers Ontonagon County?
Spring turkey unit M covers the town. Fall birds: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14. 2026 reports so far: 63.
When does Michigan deer camp open for Bergland hunters?
Michigan’s firearm deer season: Nov 15 to Nov 30, 2026. A three-day muzzleloader hunt runs Dec 4 to Dec 6, 2026.
When does legal light start at Bergland on Nov. 15?
The DNR deer table gives 6:53 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. for Zone A on the opener, with B to D offsets of 6 to 18 minutes.
Where can a Bergland hunter take a deer for processing?
Christnsen Dnald Cstm Btchring in Iron River sits about 55 miles from Bergland. 0 processing listings lie inside 35 miles of Bergland.
Which taxidermy studio is closest to Bergland?
Greig's Taxidermy & Tackle in Ontonagon is closest to Bergland. 0 taxidermy listings sit inside 15 miles of Bergland and 2 inside 35.
Where do Bergland hunters buy a Michigan license?
Through eLicense or the Hunt Fish app, or at an agent, with the base license first. For a counter sale, Lake Gogebic Outpost sits at town from Bergland. For counter help, the DNR Baraga Customer Service Center sits 54 miles from Bergland.
Answers drawn from the sources listed in each section above; harvest reporting and the antlered deer limit from the DNR 2026 deer regulation summary. Checked October 22, 2026.
Packing up in Bergland
The DNR can change dates and units by order. Re-check eLicense and the Ontonagon County page before the trip.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); NWCouncil (CC BY 2.0); chumlee10 (CC BY-SA 2.0); Wanderer 86 (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0); fidelis_o (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0).