GLADSTONE, MI-- The opening day of firearm deer season is just about here, and the National Forest Service is warning hunters about setting up permanent blinds on forest land.
Officials with the Hiawatha National Forest say there’s a growing concern about the growing incidence of illegal abandoned blinds.
To prevent safety hazards, environmental hazards, and hunter conflicts on National Forest land, officials say blinds should be temporary and portable. Hunting platforms cannot be attached to a tree with nails, screws, or bolts; the name, address, and phone number of the owner must be posted on the blind or stand; and the structures must be removed by January 1, 2017.
Failure to comply with the rules could result in fines, removal, destruction, impoundment, and/or seizure of equipment.
