Antlerless Archery Hunting on City of Kalamazoo Lands

In response to excessive deer damage on select properties owned by the City of Kalamazoo (City) in the surrounding townships, the City qualified for Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAP) by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The City has established a PILOT antlerless archery hunting program for select properties only. For 2025, the City's property referred to as WPS-37 @ Greer Drive & N. 37th Street in Ross Township will be the first Deer Harvest Area (DHA) to allow antlerless archery hunting. NO FIREARMS are allowed. References to learn more about the City's 2025 Deer Management Plan are provided in the links at the bottom of this page.

Applications are specific to available Deer Management Areas (DMA) each season.

City-allowed Regular Season Hunting dates:

  • Liberty hunt: Sept. 13 - 14, 2025. Open to eligible youth and hunters with disabilities. One antlered deer or antlerless deer per license/permit.
  • Early antlerless firearm: Sept. 20 -21, 2025 (hunters must wear orange)Archery equipment can be used during this season, but NO FIREARMS are allowed.
  • Independence hunt: Oct. 16 - 19, 2025 hunters with disabilities.
  • Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 14, and Dec. 1, 2025 - Jan. 1, 2026 (hunters must wear orange in December - January)

Program Guidelines & Permitting Process

The Archery Hunting Permit Application includes:

  • 2025 Deer Management Area (DMA) Map available for 2025
  • Archery Hunting Overview - Reporting, references, deadlines, meat processing
  • City Permit Application Process - City season hunting dates, application process, hunting package, use & restrictions
  • Hunting & Tree Stand Policy


Download the entire City Hunting Permit Application

NOTE: For 2025, the hunter application/selection process is limited and is CLOSED to the public

Moving forward in 2026 and beyond the hunts are expected to be open to the public. Hunters may only apply once and will be selected by a lottery process. Hunters whose names appear on more than one application will be disqualified. Applicants will be selected for each archery DHA location per season. Applications will be accepted from August 1 to 31. Applications will be processed and awarded starting Sept. 1st or earlier as needed. Applicants will be notified of the lottery results using the hunter's contact information.
Hunters selected to receive a permit (either season) will be required to do the following:
  • Attend a mandatory pre-hunt meeting to receive the City's DMA permit(s) and Hunting Package.
  • Complete and return a liability release form.
  • Read and agree to follow the Archery Hunting Overview rules for hunting.
  • Complete a post-season harvest survey. Failure to complete this survey will result in being excluded from the opportunity for a COK permit in the future.
  • A hunter must possess a public-land antlerless deer license (i.e. base permit and at least one tag) to take a deer on site.
  • Minors under the age of 18 may not apply for the lottery, however lottery winners receive City permits for a group (up to 3 people including minors per application). Both the permit holder and the group participants must have a copy of their permit in their possession while hunting.

Hunting Packet

Includes a City hunting permit, DMAP license (kill tag), liability form, parking pass, tree stand card, harvest data sheets and QR code; maps; and other important information.

Reference Information

QR Codes are provided by the City for easy access to information referenced:

Important Deadlines

  • August 1 to 31 Apply for the City's Archery Hunting Permit each season
  • Sept. 1 Starting this date, City applications will be processed and awarded
  • Sept. 13 to Jan 1 City-allowed Regular Hunting Season
  • January 15 City Deer Harvest Reports Due
  • March 1 Tree Stand Removal Deadline

Contact the City of Kalamazoo

Email talandaj@kalamazoocity.org
Text 269-370-1939
Call anytime 311 (from inside the City) or (269) 337-8000 (if outside the City).