Waterfowl
Hunting Closures
In Grand Traverse County, Boardman Lake and those waters of the Boardman River lying north of Airport Road and south of the 8th Street Bridge are closed to waterfowl hunting.
In Roscommon County, Mud Lake, Lake St. Helen and the South Branch of the Au Sable River connecting these two lakes are closed to public waterfowl hunting.
There are also other closed areas in the state. Each is posted to alert hunters that they are off limits to hunting.
Float Hunting
Hunting and trapping are exclusive rights of landowners bordering the
waterway and their invited guests. Float hunters need permission to enter lands
protected by the Recreational Trespass Act. You may float hunt public lands open
to hunting.
Non-Toxic Shot Rules
Use of non-toxic shot is required statewide for all waterfowl hunting.
When you hunt to take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, rails or snipe
anywhere in the state of Michigan during the waterfowl season, you may not
possess or use shotshells loaded with a material other than non-toxic steel,
bismuth, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten matix or other shot
determined by the USFWS to be non-toxic. Waterfowl hunters using muzzleloaders
must also use USFWS approved non-toxic shot. Shells loaded with lead shot may be
used to hunt other small game species, including woodcock. NOTE: Check area rules for non-toxic shot regulations for non-waterfowl hunting on managed waterfowl areas.
Marine Safety Laws
All marine safety laws must be observed while using a boat to hunt waterfowl. Please also practice those common sense safety habits which could save your life in an emergency.
Safety Zones Around Buildings
Safety zones are defined as all areas within 450 feet of an occupied
dwelling, house, cabin, residence, or any barn or other building used in a farm
operation. No person may hunt, or discharge a firearm within a safety zone or
shoot at any wild animal or wild bird while the bird or animal is within a
safety zone, without the permission of the owner or occupant of such safety
zone. This applies to all hunters, including waterfowl hunters on lakes,
streams, or rivers. The safety zone does not apply to target shooting or other
non-hunting activities.
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