Kent County leads the state in vehicular deer accidents. In 2023, deer-related incidents made up 26% of all vehicle crashes within the county. Not to mention the damage an out-of-control deer herd does to farmers’ crops.
Our Kent County hunters are great at shooting bucks, but to help bring the herd to a healthier doe:buck ratio, we need to manage the ladies. So Kent County Farm Bureau is pleased to sponsor a DOE POLE. Instead of rewarding the biggest rack, we’re rewarding the heaviest doe.
PRIZES:
| Youth Largest | $1,000 Youth = Individual under the age of 16 accompanied by licensed adult. |
| Largest Overall | $1,000 |
| Best 3 | $5,000 3 Doe tagged as a “class” for this category, think Fishing Tournament. Tags can be from multiple individuals who agree to enter their doe as a group for this category as a “team.” |
ENTRY FEE: $25 or FREE with Donation
If you donate your doe, your entry fee is waived. Processing costs are covered (for up to 78 deer, as of 12/1/25) and a portion of the donations will remain local!
2025 RULES:
- First Score: Deer Dressed Hanging Weight with Skin On
- The dressed hanging weight of your deer is your first score.
- Second Score: Scoring System Based on Location
- Tier 1: Kent County – 20 points
- Tier 2: Boundary County – 10 points
- Tier 3: Anywhere else in the state of Michigan – 5 points
- Total Score:
- First Score + Second Score = Total Score
- Must be Legal Hunting Harvest
- Female deer only will be accepted, no button Bucks.
- Report harvest on the DNR website.
- Provide a screenshot of the check-in page when submitting the deer.
- Why? The data will be used for continuing deer population management analysis by GVSU.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
- Click or tap here to preregister. Note that we have funds to process 78 deer as of 12/1/25 and priority will go to hunters who have pre-registered.
- Bring your deer to one of two locations between December 9 – 12, 4:00 – 7:00PM. Pay the $25 entry fee or declare your intent to donate the doe.
- Cedar Springs: Kent County Road Commission, 11777 White Creek Ave. NE, Cedar Springs
- Kentwood: Kent County Road Commission, 4949 S. Complex Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
- Deer entries will be weighed at the Road Commission and GVSU students will take data for the deer population management study.
- Check leaderboard announcements on Kent County Farm Bureau Facebook page and website starting Saturday, December 13 at 4:00PM.
- On December 13 come to West Walker Sportsman’s Club, 599 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, 2:00-6:00PM.
- Doe intake until 5:30PM
- 6:00PM prizes awarded
- MUST BE PRESENT TO ACCEPT CASH PRIZES
If you are interested in donating funds towards the processing costs, please contact the Kent County Farm Bureau office at (616) 784-1092 or [email protected]
To see what Kent County is doing to manage the deer herd, go here: Deer Management Coalition.
If you have questions about the Doe Pole, please contact the Kent County Farm Bureau office at (616) 784-1092 or [email protected].
Thank you to all our partners in this event:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Kent County
Kent County Road Commission
Grand Valley State University Natural Resources Management & Wildlife Biology Programs
Reeman’s Farm Equipment
Hunters Feeding Michigan
Kent Conservation District