P.J. Hoffmaster State Park to Hold a Special Deer Hunt

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is seeking help managing its growing deer population. The DNR will hold a special lottery hunt during Michigan’s 2026 firearm deer season.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

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P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, located at 6585 Lake Harbor Road in Norton Shores, stretches along five miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The park offers camping, hiking, and a variety of beach activities.

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I’ve been to Hoffmaster several times because it’s one of my family’s favorite beaches. We usually take one of the trails through the woods to reach the north side of the beach, where there’s a cool sandbar just a short distance offshore.

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I’ve seen plenty of big deer in the woods at Hoffmaster, so it’s easy to see why hunters might be interested in the area. Even while hunting for morels in the park, I’ve come across plenty of signs of deer, including large tracks, old buck rubs on large trees, and well-worn trails that are clearly used by a lot of deer.

Read More: Kent County Program Helps Michigan Deer Hunters Find Land

Those signs suggest the park may benefit from a management hunt.

Special Hunt to Take Place at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced a special managed deer hunt at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park November 20-23. The park will be closed to the public during the hunt, with access limited to hunters selected through a lottery.

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To enter the lottery, hunters must submit their applications by August 31. The DNR has additional information by here.

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👇BELOW: 2025 Michigan Deer Season All Seasons Harvest Report👇