Hoffmaster State Park to close for special managed deer hunt Nov. 20-23

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park will close Friday-Monday, Nov. 20-23, to accommodate a managed deer hunt aimed at reducing local deer populations and the impact on natural resources.

For the safety of all visitors, including walkers, hikers and other visitors, the entire park, including the day-use area and trails, will close during the four-day hunt. The campground is already closed for the season.

This controlled hunt is a science-based wildlife management tool designed to reduce deer

numbers to a healthy, sustainable level, allowing the park's forests and other natural habitats to recover.

Ottawa County Parks and Recreation's Lakeshore Wildlife Management program is coordinating the hunt. Participants were selected through a lottery.

For more information, contact Melissa VanderVelde (DNR) at 231-798-3711 or VanderVeldeM@Michigan.gov or Nealy Molhoek (Ottawa County Parks & Recreation) at 616-558-6992 or nmolhoek@miottawa.org.