Why Hunters Come to Atlanta
Atlanta is the county seat of Montmorency County and proudly carries the title of Elk Capital of Michigan. It sits on the 45th parallel between Gaylord and Alpena, surrounded by nearly 1,000 square miles of state land, lakes, and blue-ribbon trout streams. For hunters, that means enormous public-land access without leaving the region — elk, whitetail, black bear, turkey, grouse, and woodcock all share this same ground.
The Elk Hunt
Michigan's elk herd is centered in Pigeon River Country State Forest, spanning Cheboygan, Montmorency, and Otsego counties — with Atlanta sitting right in the heart of it. The herd descends from just seven Rocky Mountain elk transplanted from Yellowstone in 1918, after native Michigan elk were wiped out by the late 1800s. Today the herd is managed at roughly 1,150 animals.
Elk tags are some of the hardest to draw in the eastern half of the country. In 2025, a record 47,493 hunters applied for just 260 available licenses through the state's annual drawing. Despite brutal weather — including a historic March 2025 ice storm that left downed trees throughout the woods — hunters still harvested 153 elk that year. One hunter, after 19 consecutive years of applying, finally drew his tag and took a 559-pound bull on state-managed public land just off County Road 622 in Montmorency County, then hung it on the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Elk Pole — a local tradition for successful elk hunters.
Read our full elk viewing guide → for the best times and spots to scout the herd before hunting season.
What Else You Can Hunt
Whitetail Deer
Excellent public-land deer hunting throughout the state forest blocks surrounding Atlanta — hardwood ridges, aspen regen, and cedar lowlands all hold deer.
Black Bear
The mixed hardwood and lowland habitat around Atlanta supports a healthy bear population alongside the elk and deer range.
Turkey & Grouse
Spring and fall turkey seasons draw hunters regionally, and the aspen regen common throughout Montmorency County is prime ruffed grouse habitat.
Small Game
Rabbit, squirrel, and woodcock round out the opportunities across this same public land base.
Public Land Access
Access across the state forest blocks near Atlanta is strong, with designated elk viewing areas, marked trails, and state forest roads open to vehicle and ORV use in many sections. The terrain mixes aspen regeneration and oak/maple ridges with cedar and spruce lowlands and beaver ponds — a true north woods habitat mix that supports the full range of game species in the area.
Use the Michigan DNR's Mi-HUNT mapping tool to identify public land boundaries, cover types, and access points before you head out.
Michigan DNR Hunting Information →
The Elk Festival
If your trip lines up with it, the last full weekend in September brings the annual Elk Festival to downtown Atlanta — parade, live auction, chainsaw carvers, food and craft vendors, and a genuine small-town celebration of the herd that put this place on the map. It's also prime elk-viewing and bugling season, so scouting and festival-going pair naturally.
Base Camp Near the Elk Capital
Our family's vacation home is minutes from Atlanta's state land hunting grounds — large driveway, full RV hookups, and a real home to come back to after a long day in the woods. Sleeps 11.
View the Property & Book →