Northern Michigan Wildlife Watching: Where to Find Eagles, Elk, and More

An Ecosystem Still Rich in Wildlife

Northern Michigan's combination of large state and national forests, extensive wetlands, clear rivers, and the Great Lakes shoreline creates habitat for a remarkable diversity of wildlife. The region's recovery from the logging era — most of Northern Michigan was clear-cut between 1860 and 1900 — has allowed populations of deer, bear, wolf, eagle, osprey, elk, and dozens of smaller species to rebuild. For patient observers willing to be in the right place at the right time, wildlife encounters here can be extraordinary.

Michigan's Elk Herd: Pigeon River Country

The only wild elk herd east of the Mississippi outside Pennsylvania lives in the Pigeon River Country State Forest east of Gaylord. The herd numbers roughly 900-1,000 animals and is most visible in September and October during the rut, when bulls bugle and compete for cows in meadows along the Pigeon River and its tributaries. Guided elk viewing tours operate from Gaylord area outfitters and are the most reliable way to find the herd. Self-guided viewing is possible on the Pigeon River Road corridor; dawn and dusk are the productive times. The sound of a bugling bull elk in a foggy September morning is genuinely stunning.

Bald Eagles

Bald eagle populations have recovered dramatically since DDT was banned in 1972. Northern Michigan is now home to hundreds of breeding pairs — virtually any large inland lake or river in the region has resident eagles. Torch Lake, Higgins Lake, and the Platte River corridor near Honor are particularly reliable locations. Eagles are most visible from December through March when they concentrate near open water on otherwise frozen lakes. The Traverse City area audubon chapter leads guided eagle-watching field trips in winter.

Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill cranes stage in Northern Michigan's agricultural fields in September and October before their southern migration. Flocks of several hundred can be seen in harvested corn and soybean fields throughout Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties. The birds are large (4 feet tall, 7-foot wingspan) and relatively tolerant of observation from roads. The collective bugling call of a large flock is one of the more extraordinary wildlife sounds in the Midwest.

Lake Michigan Shorebirds and Pelagic Species

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a premier birding destination during fall migration. The lake acts as a barrier that concentrates migrating songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds along the eastern shoreline in September and October. The Point Betsie Lighthouse area near Frankfort is one of the best fall hawk watching sites in the Midwest. Whitefish Point on Lake Superior's south shore, while technically in the Upper Peninsula, is the premier raptor migration site in the Great Lakes region and worth the drive in May.

Northern Michigan Wildlife Tips

Dawn and dusk are the productive hours for most mammal watching. Elk and deer are most active in the first and last hour of daylight. Bears are most visible in berry season (August-September) and near orchard areas in October. Never approach wildlife, particularly elk during the rut when bulls can be aggressive. Binoculars and a telephoto lens of at least 300mm will transform your wildlife observation quality. The Gaylord area events include organized wildlife watching programs through the Pigeon River Country Association throughout the year.