deer management unit · Michigan Department of Natural Resources
DMU 054 Mecosta County
Michigan, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About DMU 054 Mecosta County
DMU 054 Mecosta County is a deer management unit in Michigan, United States, set by Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 1,480 km² (571 mi²). The town of Big Rapids is inside it.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Michigan Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for White-tailed deer.
- Unit code
- 054
- Area
- 1,480 km²
- Area (miles)
- 571 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 87 km² of public or protected land inside it, 6% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| MIDNR Wildlife Division | 53 | 4% |
| Forest Service Region 09 Eastern | 14 | under 1% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 12 | under 1% |
| County of Mecosta | 2.5 | under 1% |
| County Road Commission | 2.4 | under 1% |
| Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) | 1.3 | under 1% |
| Village of Mecosta | 0.4 | under 1% |
| City of Big Rapids | 0.4 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 1.0 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Michigan Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Dec 4, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | firearm source |
| White-tailed deer | Dec 7, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | antlerless, firearm source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
- DMU 018 Clare County
- DMU 037 Isabella County
- DMU 059 Montcalm County
- DMU 062 Newaygo County
- DMU 067 Osceola County
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Zone 2 (hunting zone)
- Zone 3 (hunting zone)
- DMU 354 Lakeview unit (Mecosta - Montcalm) (deer management unit (multi-county/special))
- DMU 359 Mecosta-Montcalm core CWD area (deer management unit (multi-county/special))
- DMU 486 Southern Lower Peninsula multicounty unit (deer management unit (multi-county/special))
- Baldwin BMU (bear management unit)
- Bobcat unit G (bobcat hunting unit)
- Gladwin BMU (bear management unit)
- Unit I (fall turkey management unit)
- Middle Zone (waterfowl hunt zone)
- Unit NM (spring turkey management unit)
- South Zone (waterfowl hunt zone)
What HuntGrid shows for DMU 054 Mecosta County
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is DMU 054 Mecosta County (deer management unit)?
About 1,480 km² (571 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Michigan Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in DMU 054 Mecosta County?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 87 km² of public or protected land, 6% of the unit; the largest share is managed by MIDNR Wildlife Division. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for DMU 054 Mecosta County?
This page lists 2 seasons a person has checked against Michigan Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to DMU 054 Mecosta County?
In the same unit system: DMU 018 Clare County, DMU 037 Isabella County, DMU 059 Montcalm County, DMU 062 Newaygo County and DMU 067 Osceola County.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Licence: Michigan DNR open data (public record; no restrictions on use, reproduction or distribution; as-is). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.