Camp Grayling will lock gates on about 21,600 acres during firearm deer season for drone testing, and Grayling Township wants it to reconsider

GRAYLING, Mich. — Camp Grayling plans to close about 21,600 acres of its training land for drone testing during Michigan’s firearm deer season, and Grayling Township leaders have asked the Michigan National Guard to rethink the timing before hunters arrive.

From about Nov. 7 through Nov. 22, designated gates, roads and trails in the Range 30 complex will be closed, according to a Camp Grayling statement carried by the Crawford County Avalanche and WPBN. That window takes in the Nov. 15 opener, the busiest stretch of the season in the north woods. Camp Grayling said the land is needed for a federal program that tests combat-ready drones, WPBN reported.

The statement put the closure at about 21,633 acres, or 10.8% of the acreage associated with Camp Grayling, and said roughly 89% would not be affected. It also acknowledged that the gates have traditionally stayed open for the opener, and said service members need part of the complex this year.

The township’s objection. In a letter to Camp Grayling, township leaders asked the Guard to look at other locations or options that would keep more land open for the season, WPBN reported. They say they support military readiness but question whether public land has to close during one of the busiest hunting periods of the year.

“And it just doesn’t feel right in closing this off during hunting season,” Township Supervisor Lacey Stephan told the station. “It’s a state land. We share this land and it’s up to us as local officials to do everything we can to make sure that the state’s open and public.”

Township leaders describe the closed ground as state land the public shares with the Guard, and deer camp is a family tradition for many who drive north each November. They told WPBN the timing also raises concerns for the local economy, which leans on opening week. A resident told the station that hunters who planned months ago may not hear about the change until they find a locked gate.

What this means for you. If you hunt in or near the Range 30 area, scout a backup spot now rather than on opening morning, and expect more hunters on the nearby open land. Camp Grayling posted its statement on its Facebook page, and for immediate questions about gate closures it has told the public to call Range Control at 989-344-6156. Our guide to Michigan’s 2026 deer season has the full season dates and this year’s rule changes.

Camp Grayling has not said publicly whether it will change the dates in response to the township’s letter.

Sources:
Camp Grayling statement, “Temporary Range 30 closures during firearm deer season,” as published by the Crawford County Avalanche (dates, gates, tradition), https://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/news/temporary-range-30-closures-during-firearm-deer-season/
WPBN/UpNorthLive, “Grayling Township pushes back on Camp Grayling land closures during deer season,” Oct. 21, 2026 (acreage, drone testing, township letter, Stephan quote), https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/grayling-township-pushes-back-on-camp-grayling-land-closures-during-deer-season-crawford-firearm-hunting-northern-michigan-upnorthlive
Up North Voice, Camp Grayling range notice, August 2026 (Range Control number), https://www.upnorthvoice.com/news/2026/08/camp-grayling-reports-range-activity-temporary-closures/
Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ACRTC_-_Grayling_Air_Gunnery_Range.jpg

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Tags: Up North · Grayling · Camp Grayling · Deer Season · Hunting · Public Land