The Kent County Deer Management Coalition was established in 2024 to conduct a countywide assessment of the deer populations and offer management strategies that enhance public safety while maintaining a healthy herd. The recommendations can be found here.
Deer Damage Shooting Permits are available for agricultural landowners and their authorized designees. This is one valuable tool to manage the deer herd in Kent County. The form can be found here.
Where do I Send the Completed Permit Form?
Completed forms can be sent to Amy Swainston at swainstona@michigan.gov
Alternatively, completed forms can be mailed to:
Amy Swainston - Admin. Assistant: Fisheries, Park & Recreation, and Wildlife Divisions
Michigan DNR - Plainwell Customer Service Center
621 N. 10th Street, Plainwell, MI 49080
Need Help Filling Out the Permit Form?
Kent County Road Commission personnel are willing to assist in filing paperwork on a landowner's behalf, but will need the necessary information from the landowner to do so. Please contact Jerry Byrne at (616) 242-6960 between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM for assistance.
Need a Hunter?
If you are an agricultural landowner, but need hunters to hunt your land, vetted and insured hunters are available through The Michigan Chapter of the National Deer Association and the Gun Lake Tribal Community to harvest unwanted deer. Call Jerry Byrne at the Kent County Road Commission to be connected with these organizations (616) 242-6960.
Want to Donate?
If you have a harvested deer you want to donate, the Kent County Road Commission will have a refrigerated trailer available from late February to early March and will facilitate processing a donation. The Hunters Feeding Michigan organization manages processing and distribution of harvested deer. Feeding America West Michigan would be one of the recipients. Monetary donations are also accepted to help pay for testing and processing of deer for public food distribution.
Questions?
Amy Swainston at DNR, direct: (269)-685-6853 office: (269) 685-6853 swainstona@michigan.gov
Jerry Byrne, KCRC Managing Director, (616) 242-6960 jbyrne@kentcountyroads.net