Camp Grayling Drone Testing Closes Michigan Hunting Grounds

Northern Michigan’s tracts of public hunting grounds are facing an operational collision this November. As the U.S. military ramps up a federal defense push known as Drone Dominance, more than 20,000 acres inside Camp Grayling will be closed off to the public, FOX 2 reported.

The temporary shuttering affects over 10 percent of the total space within the Michigan National Guard-operated complex. The restrictions hit during the state’s firearm deer hunting season, which runs from November 15–30. The military testing itself is scheduled to run from November 7 to 22 at the Range 30 Complex.

Evaluating Tens of Thousands of Combat-Ready Drones

The U.S. Department of Defense selected Camp Grayling as one of four sites for military testing geared toward internal research, development, and rapid experimentation. Private industries have been invited to reserve space at the complex to evaluate new aerial systems.

This $1 billion effort is designed to pivot the U.S. military so it’s prepared for a new kind of warfare. In conflicts like in Ukraine, drones have become one of the newest forms of defense.

Soldiers stationed at the Northern Michigan facility will test drones from 17 different defense companies. The overarching goal is evaluating tens of thousands of combat-ready systems before they are tested and delivered to soldiers fighting abroad.

A Direct Clash With Michigan’s Firearm Deer Season

The overlapping schedules present a logistical issue for sportsmen across the region. The 21,633-acre restricted zone represents approximately 10.8 percent of the space within Camp Grayling, encompassing access roads including N Down River Rd, Stephan Bridge Rd, Bucks E-W Truck Trail and Jones Lake Road.

Because the blocked-off acreage is publicly owned land, it is accessible to any hunter with a permit. That accessibility is valuable given that much of Michigan’s hunting takes place on private land, requiring hunters to pay for access. Now, the National Guard is urging hunters to find another spot.

The Michigan National Guard issued an advisory to anyone intending to use the affected range.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of Michigan’s hunting community while this event supports the arming of new systems for America’s warfighters.”

With access roads blocked and active testing zones marked off by the U.S. Army and Air Force, hunters are being advised to find another spot.