Hunting Update: Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas

Michigan's Wetland Wonders are the seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas in the state. These areas, scattered across the southern Lower Peninsula, were created in the 1960s to provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities, and are still managed today to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland wildlife. Since the beginning, the areas have been funded by hunting license fees and area use fees, but they are open for anyone to visit, use and enjoy most of the year.

The 2017 Waterfowl Digest has information about drawing dates and times at Michigan’s Wetland Wonders. We hope you’ll visit at least one this waterfowl season!

Conditions on Managed Waterfowl Areas

Despite extensive flooding in the Saginaw Bay region this spring and summer, Nayanquing Point, Fish Point and Shiawassee River are looking remarkably good heading into the 2017 hunting seasons. Quick action on the part of area staff members, along with great teamwork, got the water off the fields quickly. Still, some fields were not dry enough early enough to plant corn, so those fields were planted with small grains, with sorghum planted for cover.

Hunters may see some fields with less corn cover than in years past. Manager reports for each of the Wetland Wonders, with current field conditions, can be found at mi.gov/wetlandwonders.

Wetland Wonders Challenge

This waterfowl season, hunt at three or more of southern Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, or managed waterfowl hunt areas, and be entered to win a War Eagle boat, motor and trailer! The Wetland Wonders Challenge begins Oct. 14, 2017 and runs through Feb. 15, 2018. Seven lucky winners will be chosen on March 1, 2018.

One grand prize winner will win a War Eagle boat, motor and trailer. Six additional winners will win a duck hunting prize package, with Avian X duck and goose decoys, Zink custom duck and goose calls, a shotgun and additional waterfowl hunting gear. All seven winners will take home a "golden ticket," good for one first-choice pick at a managed waterfowl area drawing (non-reserved) for the 2018-19 waterfowl hunting season.

To be entered for the grand prize drawing, hunters must hunt at three of the seven managed waterfowl areas, but each additional area that you visit gets you an additional contest entry. Hunt all seven managed areas and get five chances to win that boat! 

Visit mi.gov/wetlandwonders for full contest rules. 

Youth Waterfowl Hunts

Bring your young hunter to one of Michigan's Wetland Wonders in October and November for a memorable hunting experience. Hunters can choose from several dates and locations. Parties with at least one youth will be given priority in the draw at all seven Wetland Wonders:

• Oct. 14 and Oct. 28 – Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area (afternoon hunt only both days) in Pinconning
• Oct. 14 and Nov. 5 - Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (afternoon hunt only Oct. 14 and morning hunt only Nov. 5) in Rockwood
• Oct. 28 – Muskegon County Wastewater (morning and afternoon hunts) in Twin Lake
• Nov. 3 - Harsens Island Managed Hunt Area (afternoon hunt only) on Harsens Island
• Nov. 4 - Shiawassee River State Game Area (afternoon hunt only) in St. Charles
• Nov. 5 - Fish Point State Wildlife Area (afternoon hunt only) in Unionville
• Nov. 11 and Dec. 30 - Fennville Farm Unit of the Allegan State Game Area (morning hunt only Nov. 11 and afternoon hunt only Dec. 30) in Fennville

Drawings will occur at 5:30 a.m. for the youth morning hunts and at 11 a.m. (11:30 a.m. at Harsens Island) for the youth afternoon hunts.

Youth priority drawings are available for hunting parties with at least one youth (16 and younger) and up to two adults (maximum party size is four). Youth hunters 9 years old and younger must be accompanied by a qualified Mentored Youth Hunting Program mentor.

All youth participating in these priority hunts must be properly licensed to hunt. Youth up to the age of 9 need only a mentored youth hunting license to hunt waterfowl. Youth 10-15 years of age need a junior base license only, and youth ages 16 and up need a junior base license, a waterfowl license with Harvest Information Program survey questions answered and a federal duck stamp.

Veterans Preference Hunts

Veterans preference drawings will take place on Nov. 11 or 12 for properly licensed resident active-duty U.S. military personnel and veterans. The following documentation, along with a valid Michigan driver’s license or voter registration card, will be accepted as proof of status: military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, copy of DD Form 214, enhanced driver’s license or documentation from the Veterans Administration regarding disability status. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force National Guard, you may provide a copy of NGB Form 22 or NGB Form 23.

To be eligible for the veterans preference draw, single hunters must be active-duty military personnel or veterans; party hunters must have at least one member in their party that is active-duty military or a veteran. The daily limits and species restrictions are the same as those allowed in the regular waterfowl hunting season. Participants must also possess a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.

• Fish Point – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Harsens Island – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Muskegon County Wastewater – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Nayanquing Point – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Shiawassee River – Nov. 11 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)
• Pointe Mouillee – Nov. 12 (a.m. and p.m. hunts)

Questions?
Call 517-284-WILD (9453)