Huyser Hunt surveys: 1 deer taken

One hunter was successful in the 2024 Huyser Farm Archery Hunt, according to surveys returned from the event.

Fifteen hunters were chosen from 31 applicants in September. Each participant received about a two-week period to hunt on the property from Oct. 1 through Nov. 14 then Dec. 1 through Jan. 1, 2025.

The hunt is coordinated by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission and Laketown staff member Brett Grams, facilities operations.

The eight hunters who returned surveys appreciated the chance to hunt on the 102-acre park at 4188 64^th St. and reported few problems.

“I thought everything was planned well,” one participant wrote.

“Appreciate the opportunity,” another wrote.

The seven remaining hunters need to return their surveys or they will not be eligible for the 2025 hunt.

Two of the survey respondents reported being in the same area as another hunter.

“Hunters need to look around and respect each other,” one wrote.

The other suggested putting a map on a board at the park’s entrance where hunters could mark their approximate locations so they would not set up near each other.

One hunter who returned a survey bagged a 100-pound doe in the 2024 hunt. In 2023, four hunters reported getting deer. In 2022, two hunters reported getting deer.

“Just very little deer signs,” one hunter wrote for the 2024 hunt. “I spoke with other hunters, and we all had the same experience. Very little sign of deer at all.”

The 2024 hunt respondents spent an average of 3.6 days hunting.

The 2023 hunt respondents spent an average of 4.3 days hunting.

Survey respondents for the 2022 hunt spent an average of 4.4 days hunting during their about two-week window.

The hunting program began in 2008.

Applications for the 2025 hunt will be available in the fall.

For more information, visit Laketowntwp.org or call (616) 335-3050.