“A huge thank you to everyone who came out and joined us for the 2025 Southern Mecosta Whitetail Management Association (SMWMA) Youth Deer Pole! We had 12 successful youth hunters and were thrilled to see so many other youth and families attend. We’re grateful for the continued support from our community and SMWMA members—it’s because of you that events like this are possible. This year, we were also proud to provide a $1,000 sponsorship to Central Michigan Goldstars. Several great prizes were given away, including a charter fishing trip with Dan and Patsy Gettings—congratulations to Weston Wanless on winning that adventure! Thank you again to everyone who makes the Youth Deer Pole such a special tradition.”  -Lakeview, Michigan

SMWMA one of, if not, the largest Cooperative in the state of Michigan comprising over 15,000 acres and 5 different townships. SMWMA promotes Quality Deer Management. The concept of allowing smaller bucks to grow and mature in the Southern Mecosta and Northern Montcalm counties. They also work with the local DNR to protect our valuable resource of Whitetail deer. Their goal is to include as many hunted acres of privately owned land to be designated as “Southern Mecosta Whitetail Management” properties.

SMWMA hold 6 annual events

-Coyote, small game and fish contest in February

-Beards & Bone contest March-May

-Fundraiser Reverse Raffle August

-3D archery shoot in September

-Youth Deer pole in September

-Buck Pole in November.

Over their 12 years they have done various things for the hunting community including holding a Disabled Veterans Hunt, Sponsoring DNR fly overs looking for violators, and paid for the National Archery organization to be taught in Lakeview Schools.