Operational Plan

COMMAND STRUCTURE

Appoint a general manager, cervid operations manager, hospitality and events manager, food-service manager, facilities and forestry lead, and seasonal recreation leads. One manager on duty controls the daily operating mode. Only trained, authorized staff may change gates, animal areas, hunt zones, food controls, or aquatic operations.

SEASONAL CALENDAR

Map the year into exclusive or separated periods for herd work, hunts, deer-immersion camping, events, forestry, and maintenance. Publish closure dates before taking reservations. Hunting activity, guest camping, weddings, contractors, and forestry equipment may not share a risk zone without a documented separation plan.

DAILY CONTROLS

Opening inspection: perimeter fence, gates, escape indicators, animal condition, weather, trails, fire conditions, water systems, and guest areas.

Guest arrival: identity, waiver, orientation, prohibited items, emergency contacts, boundaries, and escort rules.

Closing inspection: guest count, animal and gate check, incident log, waste, food storage, fire check, and next-day handoff.

REGULATORY WORKSTREAMS

Captive cervids: verify registration and comply with MDARD/DNR identification, inventory, movement, fencing, disease surveillance, mortality, escape, and biosecurity requirements.

Campground: confirm zoning and whether development requires licensing under Michigan’s campground program; begin with EGLE’s Starting a Campground guidance:

https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water-and-environmental-health/campgrounds/starting-a-campground

Food service: obtain plan review and licensing through the correct local or state authority under the Michigan Food Law; confirm lawful venison sourcing:

https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/licensing/food/service

Events and lodging: confirm land use, occupancy, fire code, accessibility, liquor, music, signage, parking, sanitation, and temporary-structure requirements.

Aqua park: obtain site-specific zoning, environmental, construction, electrical, health, water-quality, rescue, and public-swimming or amusement determinations before purchase.

Forestry and earthwork: review wetlands, inland lakes and streams, soil erosion, road access, and timber contracts with EGLE, the county, and qualified professionals.

SAFETY AND EMERGENCIES

Maintain written plans for firearm incidents, lost guests, severe weather, fire, medical emergencies, water rescue, animal escape, aggressive animal behavior, food illness, CWD or quarantine, utility failure, and mass notification. Coordinate access points and response maps with local fire, EMS, law enforcement, and hospitals. Use radios and redundant communications where cellular service is weak.

QUALITY SYSTEM

Track fence defects, animal observations, test status, near misses, injuries, complaints, food temperatures, water checks, maintenance, training, staff credentials, guest counts, and corrective actions. Conduct pre-season drills and independent annual reviews.