Pigeon River Discovery Center Hosts a Presentation About President Carter’s 1986 Grouse Hunting Trip to Northern Michigan with retired PRC Unit Manager Ned Caveney
Thursday, August 14 – 7-9 pm – Pigeon River Discovery Center, Vanderbilt
As part of its 2025 Community Event Series, the Pigeon River Discovery Center is proud to welcome retired PRC Unit Manager Ned Caveny, who will share his story about the autumn 1986 grouse hunting trip with Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. The free presentation will take place from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, at the Pigeon River Discovery Center, 9984 Twin Lakes Rd, Vanderbilt.
Caveney began working for the Michigan DNR in 1966 and was hired in 1974 as the first area forester of the Pigeon River Country State Forest. He had been grouse hunting in the area since his years as a forestry student at Michigan State University. Ned’s extensive knowledge of the local landscape made him the perfect person to lead Carter and fellow hunters, including Michigan-born MSU alumnus Jack Crockford, who was a friend of Ned’s who also worked for the Georgia Game and Fish Commission during Carter’s time as president.
It was a common interest in hunting that brought these men (and a handful of others, including the Secret Service) to the Pigeon River Country in search of the elusive ruffed grouse.
During this visual presentation, attendees will hear first-hand from Ned about the experience and the chain of events that led the President to northern Michigan where he bagged his first grouse.
This presentation is FREE (donations are accepted) and registration is required: https://pigeonriverdiscoverycenter.org/event/president-carter-in-the-pigeon-river-country/
