On the Ground: Volunteers Help Increase Hunting Opportunity in the Gladwin State Game Area

Kristina Kennedy • March 10, 2022

Volunteers help clear brush and downed trees from designated shooting lanes at the March 5th OTG project in Gladwin SGA.

Last Saturday, March 5, 2022, a group of 6 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program (OTG) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in a morning of shooting lane clearing for a new accessible hunting blind located in the Gladwin State Game Area. The ground blind with accessible features was donated by Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors (MiOFO) and is maintained by the MDNR. MiOFO’s mission is to provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for wounded veterans and individuals with health challenges. Their ultimate goal is to coordinate a support network that facilitates recovery through connecting with nature. To learn more about hunting locations with accessible features and special hunting opportunities on state land, click here.

A volunteer clearing tree branches from shooting lanes, giving the accessible hunting blind good views of passing game trails.

The accessible blind is located less than ¼ mile from the State Game Area parking lot off South Rogers Avenue. The blind has viewpoints of multiple game trails and can easily be accessed by track chairs that can be rented for free from the MDNR. These off-road, electronic chairs can handle trails, snow, sand and up to 8 inches of water. To learn more about how to rent track chairs for free through the MDNR, click here.

We were also joined by a camera crew from Outdoor Channel’s Wardens , a TV show that features the daily adventures of MDNR’s conservation officers, statewide wildlife research and habitat work, hunting, fishing, and much more of what Michigan’s natural resources have to offer. Volunteers had the opportunity to participate in interviews regarding their experience with MUCC’s OTG program and the importance of the work they were doing to help expand hunting opportunity on public land. The episode that features the On the Ground program should air next year. For information on how to watch Wardens , click here.

To learn more about MUCC’s award-winning On the Ground program and to register to volunteer at an event near you, please visit  mucc.org/on-the-ground. Our next event will involve building brush piles to improve small game habitat in the Gourdneck State Game Area in Kalamazoo County on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 9am-2pm. This event will be hosted in partnership with the Kalamazoo Conservation District and the MDNR. To learn more about  this event, please visit the registration webpage here.

Recent Posts

On the Ground: Clean Up at Yates Park

By Olivia Triltsch • April 23, 2026
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, MUCC’s OTG program partnered with the Clinton River Watershed Council and Metro-West Steelheaders to host the annual Clinton River clean-up at Yates Park. Volunteers removed about 270 pounds of trash from the riverbanks and the surrounding watershed. Approximately 80.3 acres of fish and wildlife habitat were directly impacted by this project, in addition to improving local outdoor recreational opportunities. Cleaning up the watershed is critical for ensuring safe drinking water, safe recreation, and a clean habitat for fish and wildlife alike.

OTG Volunteers Needed in Crawford County Tree Plantings

By Olivia Triltsch • April 16, 2026
MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) will be in the northern lower peninsula in late spring to improve habitat for wildlife. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 25th, from 8 AM to 12 PM and Saturday, May 3rd, from 9 AM to 2 PM to plant trees across Crawford County. These projects will take place rain or shine, except in the event of severe weather, so please dress accordingly. All registered volunteers will receive lunch and a free appreciation gift for their efforts.

White Oaks vs Red Oaks: Why Does It Matter?

By Olivia Triltsch • April 9, 2026
Oaks are a critical tree species for wildlife in Michigan as they provide food, cover, and long-term habitat in forests, field edges, and public lands. Both red oaks and white oaks are native to Michigan, but there are differences in management between the species, making an impact on conservation and hunting success. The growth patterns are important to understand when planning for land management due to variation in growth, acorn production (mast), and wildlife use.
More Posts