Part of Camp Grayling to close for drone testing during firearm deer season

The training center was designated in August as one of four U.S. Army premier test ranges for drone development in the country. More than 21,000 acres of public land in Northern Michigan will be closed during the first week of the state’s popular firearm deer season due to a military drone testing program, Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center announced. (Matthew Miller, mlive.com/TNS) GRAYLING, Mich. (Tribune News Service) — More than 21,000 acres of public land in Northern Michigan will be closed during the first week of the state’s popular firearm deer season due to a military drone testing program, Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center announced. Local officials are pushing back, and asking that the closure be reconsidered, WPBN/WGTU reports.

Camp Grayling announced the closure via social media on Monday. “We recognize how important firearm deer season is to Michigan hunters, families, and communities,” the post says. “While we have traditionally kept our gates open during the hunting opener, our service members require access to a portion of our training complex during this period.” For the safety of the public, designated gates, roads and trails within the Camp Grayling Range 30 Complex temporarily close for the drone testing program. The training center was designated in August as one of four U.S. Army premier test ranges for drone development in