If the weather cooperates, hunting seasons should be productive throughout Michigan this fall. Most game species are on an upward trend or stable on a statewide basis. That's the word from wildlife biologists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Part I of this exclusive small-game preview by the DNR Wildlife Division covers upland game birds, rabbits and squirrels and ducks and geese.

For the 2006 hunting seasons, turkey hunting should be excellent and ruffed grouse appear to be at the beginning of an upward slope in their population cycle. Prospects for getting the bag limit for woodcock and pheasant also is a definite possibility for those who know where to hunt.

Small-game hunters also will find plenty of rabbits and squirrels, and duck populations have been relatively stable for the past several years, except Michigan mallards which have been on a decline. Reports from northern Ontario indicate goose production of migrants was better than average and regular goose seasons this fall should be improved, although the local population of giant Canada geese continues to supply most of the annual harvest.

All in all, the stage is set for a very good hunting season. Please make it a safe one.

Ruffed Grouse

Season: Sept. 15-Nov. 14. After the firearm deer season ends, the grouse season reopens from Dec. 1-Jan. 1 in the Lower Peninsula. The bag limit for grouse is five per day/10 in possession in Zones 1 and 2, and three per day/six in possession in Zone 3.

Outlook: The ruffed grouse population is most likely in the beginning of an upward slope of the population cycle. Thus, we expect about the same number or more grouse to be harvested this fall. The population was at the low end of its cycle last year and may be starting a recovery. Previous peak years were 1975, 1981, 1989 and 1999. Hunters should note that increased or decreased abundance of birds at a regional scale does not ensure the same trend locally. Areas of good habitat will continue to provide the best grouse hunting opportunities. Grouse are most abundant in the Upper Peninsula, followed by the northern and southern Lower Peninsula. Young, dense aspen stands with an understory of fruit bearing shrubs provide some of the best habitat for ruffed grouse. Grouse and woodcock hunters are reminded to assist the DNR in monitoring grouse and woodcock populations by providing information about their hunts. The cooperator form can be found on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Woodcock

Season: Sept. 23-Nov. 6. The bag limit will be three woodcock per day/six in possession.

Outlook: Woodcock hunters may expect a season similar to last year. Hunters could take up to 140,000 woodcock this fall. Although good numbers of grouse and woodcock can be found in all parts of Michigan, the highest densities are located in the northern two-thirds of the state. The west end of the Upper Peninsula should have good numbers of birds during the early season. The best spots may be in thicker, younger cover along streams and the edges of swampland. During mid-October, migrating woodcock may be found in Alpena, Montmorency, Otsego and Roscommon counties. Woodcock are a migratory game bird, so hunters are reminded to have the Harvest Information Program (HIP) endorsement printed on their small game license. See the 2006 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide for details.

Pheasants

Season: Oct. 10-31 in the Upper Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula runs from Oct. 20-Nov. 14. The bag limit is two male pheasants per day/four in possession. The late pheasant season in part of Zone 3 will be open from Dec. 1-Jan. 1 with a bag limit of two male pheasants/four in possession.

Outlook: The pheasant population is expected to be similar to last year. Birds came through the winter in good shape due to mild winter conditions. Some of the best pheasant habitat is located on private lands. Hunters are encouraged to contact private landowners prior to the fall hunting season to gain access to these areas. Counties with some of the highest pheasant numbers include Ingham, Ionia, Hillsdale, Huron, Lenawee, Livingston, Montcalm and Tuscola. Idle fields and warm season grasses adjacent to agriculture lands are prime areas to look for pheasants. Late season hunters should concentrate their efforts in cattail and shrub wetlands near picked corn and bean fields.

Quail

Season: Oct. 20-Nov. 14. Quail can be hunted only in Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Montcalm, Oakland, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. All other counties are closed to quail hunting. The bag limit is five per day/10 in possession.

Outlook: Although patchy in distribution and abundance, quail can be found throughout southern Michigan. Expect to find an improved quail population from last year due to mild winter conditions, lack of severe ice storms and improved spring nesting conditions. It is projected that hunters could take an estimated 3,000 quail this fall.

Wild Turkey

Season: Oct. 2-Nov. 14 in 11 hunt units in portions of the Lower Peninsula and three hunt units in the Upper Peninsula. Some units will be open for fall turkey hunting only on private lands. The bag limit is one bird (either sex). Any licenses that remain as of Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. (EDT) will be available for purchase over the counter by individuals who did not apply for a fall turkey license.

Outlook: Turkey numbers should be excellent in areas open for fall hunting. Mild winter weather resulted in good survival and spring nesting conditions, and should produce a good crop of young birds. Over 30,000 leftover fall turkey licenses are available to people who did not participate in the lottery drawing. Interested turkey hunters may purchase these licenses over the counter until the quota is met. The leftover licenses will go on sale Sept. 18. Visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan/dnr for more information.

Rabbits

Season: Cottontail rabbits and varying or snowshoe hare can be hunted from Sept. 15-March 31, statewide. Hunters may take a limit of five per day and 10 in combined possession.

Outlook: Cottontail populations are good throughout their range. Rabbits are the most popular small game animal; the annual harvest is about 500,000 rabbits each year. The abundance of cottontails and their skill at evading hunting beagles and shotgun pellets make hunting them very sporting. Hunters typically harvest about 17,000 to 19,000 snowshoe hare per year. Snowshoe hare populations are presently down somewhat due to cyclic population fluctuations. However, population levels appear to be slowly improving. Declining habitat continues to be a concern in some portions of their range.

Squirrels

Season: Sept.15-March 1. Hunters can bag up to five per day and have 10 in combined possession.

Outlook: Squirrels are at moderate to high levels throughout their range. Hunters generally can expect another good year for squirrel hunting throughout most of their range, but may find squirrel numbers down locally in marginal habitat.

Ducks

Season: Starting Dates: North (Upper Peninsula) and Middle (northern Lower Peninsula) zones -- Sept. 30; South Zone (southern Lower Peninsula) -- Oct.7. Consult the 2006 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Guide for exact dates and daily limits. A youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be Sept. 16-17 statewide for licensed youths 10 to 15. Be sure to get your kids involved with this great opportunity. See the Waterfowl Hunting Guide for details.

Outlook: Duck populations in the mid-continent prairie and parkland regions increased about 14% from last year, and are 9% above the long-term average. However, mallard populations in the Great Lakes states (Mich., Wis. and Minn.) decreased from last year. Habitat conditions at the waterfowl management areas continue to look good. Hunters should make a preseason check of local ponds and marshes for waterfowl concentrations. River bayous and isolated ponds will harbor wood ducks early in the season. Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are great areas to hunt diving ducks. Look for these areas to be hot spots again in 2006, as well as Saginaw Bay and the St. Marys River System in the eastern Upper Peninsula. The best time to hunt scaups, redheads and canvasbacks is between Oct. 15 and Nov. 20. Special restrictions are in effect for these species. See the Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Guide for details.

Geese

Season: The regular goose season in the Upper Peninsula MVP (Mississippi Valley Population) Unit is Sept. 18-Nov. 6. In the Lower Peninsula MVP Zone, the regular season is Sept. 30-Oct. 29 and Nov. 23-Dec. 12. In the Lower Peninsula SJBP (Southern James Bay Population) Zone, the regular season is Oct. 7-16 and Nov. 23-12. Consult the map of the 2006 Goose Management Units in the Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Guide. In the South Zone the late Canada goose season will be Dec. 31-Jan. 29, excluding local goose management units (GMUs). See the 2006 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Guide for bag limits and GMU harvest quotas. The guide also has information on hunting opportunities in the managed waterfowl hunt areas.

Outlook: Michigan's Canada goose harvest is derived from primarily three flocks, including the Mississippi Valley Population, the Southern James Bay population and local giant Canada geese. All three populations are up from last year's estimates. Spring population estimates and brood production of the migratory Canada geese were above average. Michigan's local population of giant Canada geese now supplies more than 70% of the state's total Canada goose harvest. The early September hunts (Sept. 1-10 in the North Zone and Sept. 1-15 in the Middle and South zones) and the 30-day late season help control these local flocks through recreational hunting.