1. All hunting on the HSC will follow the rules established by the Michigan DNR or the Federal Wildlife Service unless they are superseded by rules established by the Board of Governors.
2. All hunters are required to have a valid and appropriate hunting license from the state of Michigan and all hunters born after January 1, 1960 who have not had a previous hunting license must complete a hunter safety course to hunt on HSC property. Youth hunters possessing a Mentored Youth License or an Apprentice Hunting License, may hunt on HSC property prior to taking a hunter safety course, however, they must follow the same “accompanied by” requirements as the State of Michigan regulations states.
3. All members, spouse and eligible family members that hunt, fish, or trap must register with the Club Office and purchase a Sportsman’s Button for identification purposes. Any time that a state license is required for said activity, then a HSC Sportsman’s Button must be purchased. The Sportsman’s Button must be worn while participating in the previously mentioned activities. A copy of these regulations will be provided at the time of purchase. The Board of Governors will determine the cost of the Sportsman’s Buttons.
4. Only members in good standing, their spouse, and minor children/step children under age 21 are permitted to hunt large and small game on HSC property.
5. Grandchildren/step grandchildren between 12 years of age and no older than 16 of members in good standing may ONLY hunt small game on HSC property. They must be accompanied one on one in the field by their grandparent (who is the member in good standing). They will not be permitted to hunt small game during regular firearm deer season, November 15 – November 30.
6. Children/ stepchildren16 and younger of members in good standing must present their age appropriate State of Michigan Hunting License to the Club Office and purchase a HSC Sportsman’s button to be worn in the field while hunting.
7. Children/stepchildren under the age of 10, who do not possess an age appropriate State of Michigan Hunting License may be on Club property during rifle deer season. They must be pre-registered with the Chairman of Fish, Game, and Fowl prior to November 10th. Any who are pre-registered are not required to purchase a HSC Sportsman’s button but are required to meet hunter orange clothing requirements.
8. No guests are allowed on HSC property during rifle deer season.
9. Members are not permitted to create trails in the woods by cutting trees or brush or by laying materials of any kind on the forest floor or in wetland areas. (Handicap use of ATV covered by ORV rules D) Trees may be trimmed for sight distance but not cut.
10. Members are not allowed to create personal food plots on HSC property. Any member wishing to help with food plots should contact the Manager or Fish, Game and Fowl Committee.
11. All deer or bear harvested on HSC property must be registered in the Club Office/Maintenance Building.
12. It is not legal to shoot spike horned bucks on the main property of the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club. Legal bucks must have one branched antler with two points one inch or longer.
13. No member, spouse or eligible family member will be allowed to harvest a doe unless the BOG approves such harvest. This pertains to rifle and muzzle loading season only.
14. HSC Members can hunt the third bear hunting season with member owned dogs on the entire HSC, except lands located West of the Millecoquins River and North of H40. HSC Members can also use member owned dogs to hunt bobcats and coyotes in this same location beginning December 15th of each year.
15. Beaver trapping on 3 Mile Creek and O’Neil Creek is restricted. No beaver trapping on 3 Mile Creek and O’Neil Creek, other trapping is allowed, following Michigan DNR trapping rules, regulations, and season dates.
16. Blinds
- Members hunting from permanent blinds, portable blinds, tree stands, and brush blinds (exclusive) are subject to the following. The total allowed per member is three however, you may never have more than one permanent, one brush (exclusive), or one portable installed at one time. All blinds/stands must have an identification (i.d.) plate attached to the exterior of the blind.
- Members must purchase the i.d. plates at the club office. All plates will exhibit an assigned number that is exclusive to the member. The numbers assigned will be confidential. All blinds must have a current year sticker to show that it is an active blind.
- The permanent blind i.d. plate (the plate with only numbers on it, 001) may be used for any hunting blind/stand.
- The portable blind id. plate (the plate with a P on it, P001) may be used only on portable blinds.
- The tree stand id. plate (the plate with a T on it, T 001) may be used only on tree stands.
- Brush blinds without id. plates attached may be used by anyone.
- Any tree stand or portable blind that is taken into the woods with the hunter and removed when the hunter leaves does not require an id. plate.
- Tree Stands for bow hunting must be of a portable nature. No large lag bolts or spikes can be put into trees. Removable screw steps are permissible. Manufactured stands are permissible but may not be free standing.
- Permanent blinds may be constructed of natural material and/or manufactured commercially.
- Only Plexiglas may be used for windows.
- Blinds shall not be visible from or located within 100 feet of a maintained trail or food plot.
- Blinds may be constructed on a raised platform no more than 4 feet off the ground.
- Blinds may not exceed 6 foot by 8 foot in size.
- Any blind/stand not meeting the above criteria found on HSC property will be removed or destroyed by HSC staff. The cost of this removal will be assessed to the member involved.
- Permanent blinds may not be place or relocated after November 1st of each year
- All members hunting bear over bait shall have a number plate at each bait station, no member shall have more than 3 bait stations on HSC property. Bear plates shall be placed, secured to one of the following locations: The blind, the stand, or the bait station itself. Fifteen days after the close of bear season, all barrels, bait containers, and any trash that is not natural will be removed from HSC property, and all number bear plates are to be returned to the HSC office.
QUALITY GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT
(QGMU) Regulations
1. All activities at the Quality Game Management Unit (QGMU) including but not limited to small game hunting, fishing, berry picking, bear hunting, hiking, archery, and muzzleloader deer hunting are considered open activities.
2. Members may participate in any of these activities by signing in at the registration shack located at the QGMU Gate prior to entering the property.
3. Use of all hunting areas is on a first come, first serve basis, except for the first five days of firearm deer season. There are currently 5 available hunting areas for use. A map of the hunting areas will be posted at the registration shack and available at the HSC Office.
The following rules apply when hunting in the Quality Game Management Unit (QGMU):
1. ALL HSC rules still apply to the QGMU unless superseded by special QGMU rules.
2. No hunting within 450 feet of the house or barns of the QGMU.
3. Members may hunt the property with any legal method but should be courteous to others. Within each hunting area are blinds owned and maintained by HSC and may be utilized on a first come, first come basis, except for the first five days of firearm deer season. Please indicate your location by placing a thumb tack on the map located in the Registration Shack so others will know where you are. ORV/ATV may be used to access your hunting area. (consult general ATV/ORV rules) Keep in mind sportsmanship when using your orv/atv as to not to disturb your fellow hunters.
4. Registration of a hunting area may occur each day after 5:00 AM. No pre-registration is allowed. Everyone must sign out when leaving for the day.
5. Baiting: No deer baiting is allowed prior to November 13.
6. Hunters with a valid bear hunting license may leave a portable blind (tree stand or popup) at their hunting spot but only during the bear hunting season that they may legally take a bear. Also, the hunter must notify the HSC Office the day that they place their blind and the day that they remove it. Bear baiting plates are required.
7. QGMU Hunting Regulations for harvesting deer are the same as the HSC Common Property (January 2020). Legal bucks must have one branched antler with two points one inch or longer.
8. During early archery season, portable blinds or tree stands can be in one place for a period not to exceed four (4) days Please be a courteous hunter and use the location map at the registration shack. Any unattended blinds or tree stands may be confiscated.
9. Hunting during the first five days of firearm deer season in the QGMU is by lottery only. Five hunters will be drawn with three alternates. The drawn hunter will be assigned an area and is permitted to hunt in that area for the first five days of firearm deer season. Members who are drawn this year will not be eligible for the next year. Lottery registration will begin August 27 and continue until the drawing on the first Monday of October.
10. A map is provided showing the locations of the five hunting areas and those blinds included in each area. Portable blinds may be used within a hunter’s assigned area during the lottery time (first five days of firearm deer season)
11. The member that was drawn in the lottery must be present during the hunt. If you leave early, please inform the HSC Office. One additional non-hunting member of your choice may accompany the hunter, but they must be an HSC member in good standing and may not hunt.
12. After the first five days of firearm deer season, the remainder of firearm deer season is still limited to a maximum of 5 members at any one time on a first come, first serve basis. Each member must indicate the area they will be hunting at the registration shack. Each member must stay in their own designated area except when traveling to and from his vehicle.
13. The handicap blind (indicated on the map) is reserved for handicapped hunters only. To qualify as handicapped, a hunter must have either a state handicapped certificate issued by the Secretary of State or the DNR. The five-day drawing requirement is still applicable. After the first five days the handicapped blind can only be used by hunters who qualify as handicapped on a first come, first serve basis.