2019 waterfowl hunting season update
During this special early season, blue-winged and green-winged teal are the only ducks that can be harvested. Hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset, and the bag limit is six teal. Hunters are strongly encouraged to study their duck identification skills for early teal season. Don’t shoot if you aren’t sure of your target.
Canada geese, white-fronted geese (or specklebellies) and brant are part of a dark goose aggregate daily bag limit. From Sept. 1-30, the dark goose aggregate daily bag limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is five, only one of which can be a brant. After Sept. 30, the daily limit for dark geese is five, only three of which can be Canada geese and one of which can be a brant.
An aggregate bag limit is also in place for light geese, including snow, blue and Ross’s geese. Hunters may harvest 20 light geese per day during goose seasons.
- North Zone – Sept. 1 - Dec. 16.
- Middle Zone – Sept. 1-30 and Oct. 5 - Dec. 20.
- South Zone – Sept. 1-30, Oct. 12 - Dec. 8, Dec. 28-29 and Jan. 25 - Feb.10, 2020.
- Allegan County GMU – Sept. 1-30, Nov. 2-12, Nov. 21 - Dec. 8 and Dec. 14 - Jan. 30, 2020.
- Muskegon County GMU – Oct. 19 - Dec. 21.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be Sept. 21-22 statewide for properly licensed youth 16 years old and younger. Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and moorhens may be harvested; accompanying adults are not permitted to harvest these species during the hunt unless hunting during the September portion of the Canada goose hunting season. The daily limits and species restrictions are the same as those allowed in the regular waterfowl hunting season. Youth 16 years old also must have a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.
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Duck hunting regulations and bag limits can be found in the 2019 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Digest. Digests are available at DNR Customer Service Centers, wildlife field offices and license agents or on the web at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
- North Zone – Sept. 28 - Nov. 24 and Nov. 30 - Dec. 1.
- Middle Zone – Oct. 5 - Dec. 1 and Dec. 14-15.
- South Zone – Oct. 12 - Dec. 8 and Dec. 28-29.
This fall, why not check out one of Michigan’s Wetland Wonders? These include the seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County).
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-dependent wildlife. Since the beginning, these areas have been funded by hunting license fees, but they are open for anyone to visit, use and enjoy most of the year.
Scout ahead: Rain impacted crop growth at some Wetland Wonders
Several of lower Michigan’s Wetland Wonders have been impacted by the weather conditions during the growing season. Due to heavy rainfall through mid-summer, crop growth was slowed or not successfully established in hunting units. In some areas, small grain crops were planted in addition to the naturally occurring moist-soil plants to provide cover. Hunters are encouraged to scout their hunting areas prior to their planned hunt to assess the current conditions.
The Southeast Region managed waterfowl hunt areas, or Wetland Wonders, will be hosting open houses in October. It's a great way to meet the staff, take a driving tour of the area and learn how the managed hunt drawings work – perfect for experienced waterfowl hunters and those who may not have hunted these areas before. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and familiarize yourself with these locations before the regular waterfowl season opens.
All open houses will start at 6 p.m.
- Oct. 2 – Crow Island State Game Area, 1888 River Road, Saginaw
- Oct. 8 – Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, 1570 N. Tower Beach Road, Pinconning
- Oct. 9 – Fish Point State Game Area, 7750 Ringle Road, Unionville
- Oct. 9 – St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, 3857 Columbine Road, Harsens Island
- Oct. 10 – Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37025 Mouillee Road, Rockwood
- Oct. 10 – Shiawassee River State Game Area, 225 East Spruce St., St. Charles
A project at the Maple River State Game Area may impact hunting opportunities in Unit B for the early goose and teal hunting seasons. Water levels in the unit will be lowered for several weeks while the staff works to reestablish openings in the cattails at the north end of the unit, providing future hunting opportunities. Significant rainfall and high water levels throughout the summer delayed the project to late August. As a result, water will not be pumped back into the unit prior to the early hunting seasons. We anticipate the water will be raised back to normal levels before the October duck season. While the project is ongoing, hunters should scout the area ahead of time and plan their hunts accordingly. Unit B is located directly east of U.S. 127.
For more information, contact the Rose Lake Field Office at 517-641-4092.
The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, has introduced the 2019 Michigan duck stamp print. This year’s stamp features a pair of northern pintails by wildlife artist Paul Bridgford.
The MDHA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetland conservation. Proceeds from stamp sales will be used to fund MDHA projects, with 10 percent used to match DNR funding for purchasing wetlands.
To learn more about the waterfowl stamp program and how you can support conservation efforts in Michigan through the purchase of collector’s-edition waterfowl stamps and prints, see the Michigan Waterfowl Stamp Program webpage.
The stamp is a voluntary purchase and does not replace the state waterfowl hunting license.
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Invasive plants and animals like phragmites, European frogbit and zebra mussels can cause significant harm to wildlife habitat, reduce hunting opportunities and damage equipment.
Invasive species often are spread unintentionally. Microscopic organisms and aquatic vegetation readily attach to equipment, and without proper steps to remove them, are unknowingly transported from one lake, river or wetland to another. Watch this video for reminders about how to help prevent the spread of invasive species and protect waterfowl habitat.
Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453).
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