A ground blind means a structure, enclosure or any material, natural or manufactured, placed on the ground to assist in concealing or disguising the user or occupant for the purpose of taking an animal. Any ground blind on public land that does not meet the requirements of either Type 1, 2 or 3 described below is an illegal ground blind.

Exception: See the 2011-2012 Waterfowl Hunting Digest for regulations on waterfowl hunting blinds.

Only the following types of ground blinds are legal on public land:

Type 1 (Portable Ground Blind). This blind must be clearly portable and removed at the end of each day's hunt. Fasteners, if used to attach or anchor the blind, cannot penetrate the cambium of a tree and also must be removed daily. No identification is required. These blinds may be used for legal hunting on public land, including all state game areas, state parks and state recreation areas in Zone 3.

Type 2 (Dead Natural Materials Ground Blind). This blind must be constructed exclusively of dead natural materials found in the area of the blind except that a hunter may add netting, cloth, plastic or other materials for concealment or protection from the weather if these materials are not permanently fastened to the blind and are removed at the end of each day's hunt.

These items can be tied to the blind but cannot be stapled, nailed, glued or fastened in any permanent manner. No identification is required. Fasteners (nails, screws, etc.) cannot be used in construction. These blinds may be used for legal hunting on public land, including all state game areas, state parks and state recreation areas in Zone 3.

Type 3 (Constructed Ground Blind). This includes all other blinds not meeting the requirements of either Type 1 or Type 2, including portable ground blinds if not removed daily. Bear hunters may place constructed ground blinds on state lands in bear management units open to bear hunting for which they have a bear license beginning Aug. 10 in Zone 1 units and beginning Aug. 17 in Zone 2 units. Blinds must be removed within five days of a bear being harvested, or within five days of the end of the bear season for which the hunter has a license.

Constructed ground blinds on all Zone 1 and Zone 2 public lands for deer hunting shall remain legal from Nov. 6 to the end of the annual deer season. In addition to criminal penalties, any constructed blind found on public land prior to Nov. 6 or after the end of the annual deer season will be considered abandoned.

The name and address of the person placing a constructed ground blind on public land must be permanently attached, etched, engraved or painted on the blind. These blinds are not legal on state game areas, state parks and state recreation areas in Zone 3. Fasteners, if used to anchor or attach the blind, cannot penetrate the cambium of a tree and must be removed with the blind.

Note: If a person's Type 3 ground blind has been permitted to be placed on land administered by a local public agency (city, township, county), the local agency will establish the length of time that a blind may be placed on its property.

Hunters with disabilities - Please see special ground blind rules on public lands.