Featured Managed Waterfowl Area: Harsens Island
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 11/21/2014 12:00 PM EST|
Discover what this longtime waterfowl hunting and wildlife-watching destination has to offer. |
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Waterfowl
Featured Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area: Harsens Island
Harsens Island Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area, on the shores of the St. Clair Flats, is a short ferry ride from Algonac across the St. Clair River. Spanning 3,355 acres, this area has been a destination for waterfowl hunters for many years.
Dabbling and diving ducks, along with Canada geese, are plentiful across the St. Clair Flats. Mallards are the most commonly harvested duck at the Harsens Island Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area, with a good number of black ducks, green-winged teal, wood ducks and pintails being taken as well.“We have a lot to offer at Harsens Island, and our staff goes the extra mile with hunters, especially those who are new to the area,” said DNR wildlife biologist Terry McFadden. “If hunters have not been to Harsens before, we recommend they try an afternoon hunt. We also recommend that hunters show up early so they can talk with staff beforehand and we have a chance to orient them to the area and the managed hunting process."
McFadden explained that hunting a new area is a learning process and – similar to other places – conditions, duck abundance and hunting success can be highly variable. "We can’t promise that we’ll satisfy everyone’s expectations, however we do promise that we’ll do our best to try,” he said.
Waterfowl hunters who wish to hunt Harsens Island must enter the managed hunt drawing. Drawings occur at 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. daily during the hunting season for the morning and afternoon hunts, respectively. If hunters miss a draw, they are allowed to take a leftover spot if available. There are 60 hunting zones comprised of flooded agricultural fields and cattail and emergent marsh zones. Boats with small motors are encouraged to get around the area. Retrievers are recommended. Spinning wing decoys are not allowed at Harsens Island.
Hunters not successful in the managed draw can hunt at other nearby wetland areas – Muscamoot Bay, Goose Bay, Fisher Bay and St. John’s Marsh. The waters of Lake St. Clair are also available for hunting.
Outside the hunting season, Harsens Island is an excellent birding and wildlife-watching spot. Viewers can spot swans, herons and egrets, sandhill cranes, muskrats, mink, deer, bald eagles, osprey and much more!
Being a state game area, Harsens Island is also open for small game hunting and trapping in designated areas during the waterfowl season, with harvest and season dates following state regulations. Deer hunting is by permit only through a draw, similar to the waterfowl hunting draw.
To learn more about Harsens Island and to see a video outlining the Managed Waterfowl Hunt Drawing visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders, or contact the Harsens Island Office at 810-748-9504.
We look forward to seeing you at Harsens Island!
Don't forget that the Wetland Wonders Challenge, sponsored by Consumers Energy, runs until Jan. 31, 2015. Youth and adult hunters that hunt at three Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas (MWHA) can be entered in the contest. Hunt at more than three MWHAs for additional contest entries. Seven winners will be chosen to win ultimate waterfowl hunting prize packages valued at $1,500, including a "golden ticket" that's good for one first-choice pick at an MWHA for the 2015-16 season (non-reserved). Check out www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders for contest terms and conditions.
The Wetland Wonders Challenge is part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL), which is a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan's waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting community. The initiative is a "call to action" to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow. To learn more about the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy, visit www.michigan.gov/mwl or look for MWL on Facebook.