• Michigan allows some hunting on private lands.deer image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
  
  Michigan's Hunting Access Program (HAP) allows the public to hunt on private lands in southern Michigan that have been leased by the state. Access is usually first-come, first-served, so the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advises you plan ahead. The available permits for the first days of the pheasant and firearm deer seasons go quickly.
  
  

Registration and Tags

• A guide is available on the DNR website that lists all HAP lands and the locations at which hunters can pick up daily permits. The Michigan DNR reminds hunters they are guests of the landowners and should register their hunting party at the host's self-registration site each time they arrive to hunt. Each member of a hunting party must carry a yellow hunter tag and return it to the registration area at the end of the day. Any person who is not actively hunting should not register or take a daily permit.
  
  

Respect Private Property

• The DNR encourages hunters to respect the property of the landowner to assure access in the future. It tells hunters to follow the landowner's instructions, know the boundaries of the properties and don't block field access routes or drive on fields without permission. In addition, it tells hunters to clean up their trash and get permission before using bait, tree stands, or blinds. Finally, hunters must obey all state hunting and trapping regulations.
  
  

Other Private Land

• If you want to hunt on other private land, the DNR offers 10 tips on its website to help you make that happen. Under state law, you must get verbal permission from the landowner before hunting on the property, so the DNR advises you ask early and seek permission for just a couple people, rather than a large hunting party. It suggests you leave your gun and dog in the car when approaching a landowner, and offer to share some of your game.