Michigan Waterfowl Digest: Duck and Goose season begins in most areas of Michigan on September 1. This article offers strategies for late-season goose and duck hunting. Read on for information on wetlands sanctuaries in Michigan. Wetland sanctuaries are areas with a natural habitat that is available to waterfowl. You can find the wetlands you want to hunt by comparing map resources online. In addition, you’ll find out how to find the best hunting opportunities near you.
Wyoming Bison Seasons – 5 highlights about Wyoming Bison Seasons
Duck season begins September 1 in most of the state.
The outlook for the fall duck hunting season is good. The continental duck population is down slightly this year but is still 32 percent above the long-term average. Minor inland flooding should help wood ducks and puddle ducks. Diving ducks are expected to be plentiful in the Great Lakes and should be in significant numbers in the fall.
The season is divided into two zones: the west and the east. The west zone begins November 6 and ends December 15. The season for ducks and geese is open through December 9. In the north, the seasons for Canada geese and speckle bellies are available from September 1 to October 15. In both zones, the daily bag limit is five.
Goose season changes in Michigan
The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended changes to Canada goose and cackling goose seasons, and the Service has been concerned with AP Canada geese for several years. This adjustment is proportionate to their population status to maximize their hunting prospects. The number of AP Canada geese has decreased from 118,000 to 34,000 breeding pairs since 1988. This drop has been caused by heavy harvest pressure and poor productivity.
Beginning in 2021, the state will open the migratory goose and waterfowl hunting seasons. Early goose and teal will be included in the 60-day regular goose season. The Northern and Southern zones will open on September 25, and the new Open Water Zone will open on October 16. The season is also shorter this year, and the state expects fewer birds in the spring than in previous years. As with most conditions, Minnesota regulates goose and waterfowl hunting seasons.
Strategies for late-season duck and goose hunting
If you are in the midst of a fall turkey hunt or are trying to find an edge on your late-season goose and duck hunting, there are several strategies you can try. First, you can consider hunting the birds that migrate to a new area during the late season. These birds are often spooky and will gather in large flocks, so you must change your tactics accordingly. Second, you can use your decoy spread to lure the birds out of their dens. If you find these birds successfully, you will be rewarded with the best shooting of the year.
While field hunting is one of the most popular options for late-season goose and duck hunting, not everyone has access to private land and a boat. However, rivers are often viable water sources during the coldest months, and you can usually find large concentrations of geese on them. You can also use a boat blind to set up blinds where the birds are concentrated. Always scout your hunting area thoroughly, and plan your trip to coincide with the most favorable weather.
Wetland sanctuaries
Wetland sanctuaries are a valuable part of the Michigan ecosystem. They provide essential habitats to many terrestrial and aquatic species and help recharge groundwater supplies. Many species find refuge in wetlands for spawning and nesting. Wetland habitats support anchor sandy shorelines and are valuable recreation sites during high water periods. They also provide clean water for humans and wildlife. If you’re considering visiting wetlands in Michigan, consider making it a priority to see what you can learn about these unique places.
The Great Lakes are a prime example of wetlands. Wetlands are fecund habitats that provide essential food and habitat for animals. Many limnologists consider wetlands to be biological supersystems comparable to rainforests. It means that wetlands offer various services at no cost to humans. These services make wetlands essential to the health of the Great Lakes. In Michigan, there are more than 3,000 wetlands, many protected and maintained by local governments and nonprofit organizations.
Kirtland’s warbler population on the brink of extinction
In the 1970s, the Kirtland’s warbler was nearly extinct, but conservation efforts and volunteers have brought this species back. Unlike many endangered species, this warbler nests in various habitats, including forests, lakes, and wetlands throughout the northern Midwest and Ontario. In 2019, the species was taken off the Endangered Species List.
Fires are essential for the survival of Kirtland’s warblers, as they open up pinecones, release their seeds, and create new areas where jackpines can grow into a suitable breeding habitat. Unfortunately, as European settlers grew in numbers, fires became less frequent. Also, land clearings tended to kill off the trees that support nesting sites, reducing the number of singers in the area. Also, a different bird now replaces the warbler’s eggs.
They offer open water for roosting and the availability of green grass for feeding.
Both H’ and J’ cranes need access to open water and lush grass for feeding to reproduce successfully. The ideal environments for the ducks and geese are open wetlands, a mixture of grassland and wooded regions, and an abundance of lush greenery. Essential characteristics of habitats for both species are open water, accessible green grass, and enough nesting cover.
Open water, green grass, and grassy fields are essential for breeding migrant ducks, and they prefer wetlands with open water for roosting. The Michigan Waterfowl Digest suggests areas with open water and green grass for feeding. These areas are also suitable for starlings, often leaving spaces for parasitic eggs.
Michigan Waterfowl Identification – How to Spot Common and Uncommon Species
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to identify some of Michigan’s most beautiful birds, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll learn how to identify common and uncommon species and discover why they’re essential to the ecosystem. You’ll also find out what to look for while bird watching in Michigan, including some helpful tips. Read on to discover how to identify common waterfowl in Michigan.
One of the giant birds in the state is the trumpeter swan, native to the upper peninsula. The smaller trumpeter swan inhabits the lower arm and northern Lake Huron, but both species are easily spotted. Look for its distinctive call and white plumage to identify these birds. They can also be aggressive when mating, so you should be sure to avoid them unless they’re actively fighting.
Mallards are another easy-to-identify duck species. Their distinctive, spoon-shaped bill is used to dig for food, and they have over 100 lamellae inside their accounts. Male mallards, in particular, have black noses and asymmetrical white cheek patches. Both the skulls and the eyes of the females are dark brown. The color of their bodies seems like a mix between grey and black. These ducks usually gather in flocks of thousands in the winter. If you’re unsure which species you see, try putting up a decoy. You’ll be amazed by how much fun they can be.
Male wood ducks can be hard to distinguish from females, especially when not breeding. Females are more vocal, but both have distinctive blue bills. Look for their long, slender tails and bib-like necks. They’re easy to mistake for other species in Michigan, so make sure you learn to identify these two varieties. The best way to enjoy your time out on the water and remember these beautiful birds will be to learn how to spot them.
See Also: Waterfowl – State of Michigan
Michigan Waterfowl Digest 2022
The trumpeter swan is Michigan’s official and largest bird in North America. The upper peninsula, the lower arm, and northern Lake Huron are all home to this magnificent bird. Its blue bill and bib-like collar make it easy to identify. It isn’t very nice when mating, so you should avoid it if you see it during that time.
In Michigan, the minor game season runs from April 17 through June 7. The little game season includes both late-season goose and duck hunting. There are public and private lands throughout the state that are suitable for waterfowl hunting. In Michigan, wetlands sanctuaries are designated areas where waterfowl can breed naturally. Using map resources online, you can find these areas in your area.
The regular goose hunting season starts September 1 in most of the state. The northern and middle zones run from September 1 through December 16. The southern zone begins from October 9 to December 5, 2021, and from January 1 to Feb. 5-14, 2022. The Allegan County Goose Management Unit has different seasons, from September 1 through November 6-13 and December 18 to February 13, 2022.
Early Goose Season in Michigan
Early Goose Season is the first half of Michigan’s fall duck and goose hunting season. Throughout the state, hunters can hunt up to five Canadian geese daily. The season typically lasts until the middle of December, though the northern zone extends the season until October 21. To go bird hunting in Michigan, you must have a hunting license and Michigan waterfowl stamp. If you aren’t sure how to get one, check out the Michigan Waterfowl Digest, which will provide detailed information.
While most early goose hunting is done on private property, there are some instances when it’s possible to access public land. In these cases, you should be courteous to the landowner and wear clean clothes. In many cases, they’ll permit you quickly. If you’re on public land, however, make sure you check with the DNR.
If you’re hoping to hunt geese in the early season, you can set up decoys in advance. These decoys will lure the birds out of their dens. Using lifelike decoys is best to attract the birds into easy gun range. Also, try setting up decoys in a large spread to entice the birds into a comfortable shooting position.
Preparing yourself well is the best way to make the most of early-season goose hunting in Michigan. It’s essential to have the right gear, a good pair of waders, and a good hunting camouflage. You should also clean your gun well before starting the hunt.
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Even though a duck's critical organs—aside from his head—ride primarily underwater, it is lawful to shoot one while it is on the water.
Michigan is your waterfowl hunting destination, whether on the open sea or one of our tens of thousands of inland lakes and marshes. There are several opportunities to fill your bag thanks to the 15 DNR-managed public waterfowl management areas and suitable quality wetlands on game areas spread throughout southern Michigan.
Given that the shot will spread, I advise you to aim low on the bird (waterline). It will boost your chances of firing a fatal amount of photos at the duck. Shooting at flying birds is preferable since it is more straightforward than hitting a duck or goose in an unguarded region or breaking a wing.
According to Michigan's hunting regulations, semi-automatic rifles and shotguns can only hold six rounds in their magazines. These magazine restrictions do not diminish the hunting or recreational shooting experiences, and the sportsmanship and safety of each are likely improved.
The Michigan Wetland Wonders, a collection of seven controlled waterfowl hunting places covering about 29,000 acres in lower Michigan, are some of the best public hunting grounds. These include Muskegon County Wastewater, Fennville Farm Unit, Shiawassee River, Harsens Island, and Pointe Mouillee.
In Michigan, long-tailed ducks and scoters were hunted by an estimated 2,565 485 persons in 2018. Most of these hunters (78.8%) went out for fewer than four days, 17.7% went out for five to ten days, and 4.4% went out for more than ten days.
Can I go goose hunting? Yes, there are goose hunting seasons in various parts of Michigan from September 1 through early February. Some of these seasons are designed to go after local geese.
There is a long tradition of floating for ducks on Michigan's largest tributaries. I've had beautiful trips on the Tittabawassee, Chippewa, Shiawassee, Grand, and Kalamazoo rivers. Finding rivers that pass through public lands, such as the Manistee, Pere Marquette, AuSable, and others, where duck hunting is permitted is difficult.
A light goose aggregate daily bag limit includes snow geese, blue-phase snow geese, and Ross's geese. The bag limit for light geese is 20 in any combination for the whole goose season. For light geese, the possession restriction is three times the daily restriction.
Snipe hunting seasons vary significantly from state to state. For instance, Michigan begins on September 1 and ends on November 9.