Hunting and Trapping
Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers annual archery deer hunting and biennial managed deer hunting opportunities to manage deer densities at ecologically-sustainable levels within the parks system.
Archery hunting is permitted from Oct. 1-Jan. 31, as Oakland County is part of the Urban Deer Management Zone which extends archery season in specific regions of Michigan.
Beaver trapping is offered on an as-needed basis to prevent beaver damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.
Hunting FAQs
Hunter Safety Classes
Deer – Archery
Public deer archery hunting (with some limitations) is allowed at six Oakland County Parks. At Addison Oaks County Park, hunting is restricted to Addison Oaks-East and at Independence Oaks County Park it is restricted to Independence Oaks- North. Hunting rules are listed in the individual park archery maps below. Oakland County Parks and Recreation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources hunting rules and regulations are strictly enforced. Oakland County Parks are open for standard as well as extended archery seasons as part of the MDNR Urban Deer Management Zone.
DNR Hunting Digests
Addison Oaks East Archery Map
Highland Oaks Archery Map
Independence Oaks North Archery Map
Lyon Oaks Archery Map
Orion Oaks Archery Map
Rose Oaks Archery Map
Please help Oakland County Parks and Recreation track the deer population by reporting the deer you take:
Deer Harvest Report Form
Prevent the spread of oak wilt by not cutting or breaking branches or piercing bark on oak trees. This deadly disease, which is rapidly spreading through Oakland County, infects oaks through any wound on the tree, then spreads underground to adjacent trees. Consider not placing blinds in oak trees to avoid any chance of bark damage.
Deer – Managed Firearms Hunt
Due to logistics concerns and the Lower Peninsula bait ban, the managed firearms hunt at Addison Oaks and Independence Oaks has not been held since 2018. We are currently reevaluating our options for deer management. If volunteer opportunities become available, they will be announced here.
Beaver Trapping
The need for recreational beaver trapping at select Oakland County Parks is determined by lake elevation data, number and location of active dams and lodges within park boundaries, hydrological requirements of rare park wetland communities and impacts of beaver activity on adjacent private parcels and built infrastructure. When a need for trapping is determined, an invitation lottery is initiated.
Beaver Trapping Rules
Beaver Information
Please contact Wildlife Specialist – Natural Resources Sean Zera, with questions or concerns, at 248-520-7231 or zeras@oakgov.com.
Your help is important in keeping Oakland County Parks safe, clean and well maintained. Report park incidents, accidents or vandalism to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at 248-858-4950.