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Reserved waterfowl drawing

Reserved waterfowl drawing

Table of contents

    • Waterfowl regs home page and glossary of terms
    • Waterfowl management
      • Managing waterfowl
      • Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee
      • Waterfowl monitoring
    • Season dates and bag limits
      • Waterfowl hunting season dates
      • Goose management units
      • Bag limits
    • License types and fees
      • License types and fees by age
      • Hunter education
      • Mentored hunting
      • Apprentice hunting
      • Michigan residents
      • Michigan veterans with disabilities
      • U.S. military personnel
      • Treaty-authorized hunters
      • DNR Sportcard
      • Base license
      • Harvest Information Program
      • Waterfowl license
      • Federal migratory bird hunting stamp
      • Michigan Waterfowl Stamp Program
      • Pure Michigan Hunt
    • Purchasing licenses and stamps
      • Identification requirements
      • Where to buy licenses and stamps
      • Lost licenses and stamps
    • Wetland wonders
      • Managed waterfowl hunt areas
      • Michigan’s Wetland Wonders
      • Veterans preference drawings at managed waterfowl hunt areas
    • Reserved waterfowl drawing
      • Reserved waterfowl hunts
      • Application information
      • Eligible applicants
      • How to apply for a reserved waterfowl hunt
      • Drawing results
    • When and where to hunt
      • Hunting hours
      • Waterfowl hunting zones
      • Safety zones
      • Public lands
      • State lands
      • State parks and recreation areas
      • National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas
      • Local municipalities
      • Waterways
      • Rights of way
      • Trespassing
    • Equipment regulations
      • Hunter orange
      • Elevated platforms and ground blinds
      • Bows, crossbows and firearms
      • Transporting bows, crossbows and firearms
    • Hunting methods
      • Falconry
      • Decoys and calls
      • Baiting
      • Hunting with dogs
      • Commercial hunting guides
    • Wildlife diseases
      • Avian influenza
      • Dioxins
    • Invasive species
      • Aquatic invasive species
      • Nutria
      • Russian boar
    • After the harvest
      • Transporting game animals
      • Migratory bird band reporting
      • Handling and processing migratory bird meat
      • Buying and selling game animals
      • Migratory bird hunter surveys
    • Report all poaching

How does the reserved waterfowl hunt drawing system work?
Hunters are selected for a reserved waterfowl hunt using a random drawing system. In the drawing, Michigan residents and nonresidents are equally eligible for selection. For more information on the reserved waterfowl hunt drawing, visit Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.

Reserved waterfowl hunts

Successful applicants must be accompanied by one to three appropriately licensed hunters. Maximum party size is four hunters, but no more than two adults per party during youth hunts. You cannot change your hunt choice once you are selected. Cash refunds are not permitted. The number of available hunts in 2024 is subject to change.

Location Hunt date Hunt hours Hunts available Hunt number
Harsens Island Oct. 12 a.m. 35 0001
Harsens Island Oct. 12 p.m., youth* 35 0002
Harsens Island Oct. 13 a.m. 35 0003
Harsens Island Oct. 13 p.m. 35 0004
Shiawassee River Oct. 12 a.m. 40 0009
Shiawassee River Oct. 12 p.m., youth* 40 0010
Shiawassee River Oct. 13 a.m. 40 0011
Shiawassee River Oct. 13 p.m. 40 0012
Fish Point Oct. 5 a.m. 35 0017
Fish Point Oct. 5 p.m., youth* 35 0018
Fish Point Oct. 6 a.m. 35 0019
Fish Point Oct. 6 p.m. 35 0020
Nayanquing Point Oct. 5 a.m. 25 0025
Nayanquing Point Oct. 5 p.m., youth* 25 0026
Nayanquing Point Oct. 6 a.m. 25 0027
Nayanquing Point Oct. 6 p.m. 25 0028
Pointe Mouillee Oct. 12 a.m. 21 0033
Pointe Mouillee Oct. 12 p.m., youth* 21 0034
Pointe Mouillee Oct. 13 a.m. 21 0035
Pointe Mouillee Oct. 13 p.m. 21 0036

* Rules for reserved p.m. youth hunts: Anyone may apply. Maximum party size is four hunters, with no more than two adults per party. On the day of the hunt, the hunting parties must have at least one licensed youth 16 years old or younger. A parent or legal guardian may not allow a youth hunter 10-16 years old to participate unless accompanied by a licensed adult meeting all other reserved hunt requirements. Youth hunters under 10 must be accompanied by a qualified Mentored Hunting Program mentor.

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Application information

When is the application period for the 2024 reserved waterfowl hunt drawing?

The application period is Aug. 1-28, 2024.

How much is an application?

An application is $5.

How many reserved waterfowl hunt applications can I purchase?

You can only purchase one reserved waterfowl hunt application per year. You can apply for a specific reserved waterfowl hunt during specific season dates.

Do I need to have a base license or waterfowl license before applying?

No. You can apply prior to obtaining your licenses. To avoid delays at check stations, hunters are urged to purchase all licenses in advance of their reserved hunt.

What identification do I need to purchase an application?

To purchase a reserved waterfowl hunt application in Michigan, you must have one of the following forms of identification:

  • Valid Michigan driver’s license.
  • Valid nonresident driver’s license.
  • State of Michigan ID card (issued by the Secretary of State).
  • DNR Sportcard (issued by any license agent, at Michigan.gov/DNRlicenses or on the DNR Hunt Fish app. If the information on your DNR Sportcard from the previous year is still accurate, you should continue to use it).
Where can I purchase an application?

You can purchase an application from any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRlicenses or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. The app is available for download at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Find a license agent at Michigan.gov/DNRlicenseAgents.

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Eligible applicants

Who is eligible to apply for the drawing?
The following people are eligible to apply for a reserved waterfowl hunt (unless they have an active revocation or are otherwise ineligible):
  • A person who is 9 years old or younger and is licensed under the Mentored Hunting Program.
  • A person who is or will be 10 years old or older and is hunter safety-certified or licensed as an apprentice hunter or licensed under an inclusive mentored license.
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How to apply for a reserved waterfowl hunt

How do I apply for the drawing?
  1. Look at the 2024 reserved waterfowl hunt table and choose the area you want to hunt.
  2. Look at the reserved waterfowl hunt table to find your desired season date and time for the area you chose. Make note of the corresponding hunt number(s) and be sure to select this number when purchasing your application.
  3. Purchase an application for the hunt number(s) you chose (you can select two hunt numbers – first and second choice).
  4. Check your receipt for accuracy and retain it as proof of your application.
What is the difference between “first hunt choice” and “second hunt choice”?
First hunt choices have priority for selection. When applying, you must choose a first hunt choice and may also choose an optional second hunt choice. If you choose a second hunt choice, it will be considered only if licenses remain for that hunt number after all first hunt choices have been awarded for all applicants. There is no guarantee that licenses will be available for second hunt choices for your second hunt number.

The receipt I received is not printed clearly or has an error. What do I do?
You are responsible for obtaining a DNR application receipt that correctly states your customer ID and hunt choice. Do not accept a receipt that is not legible. Check your receipt for accuracy and retain it as proof that you applied. Ensure any application errors are corrected prior to the application deadline. If you submit an invalid application, you will be ineligible for the drawing.

I am having trouble applying. What do I do?
You can call 517-284-9453 for assistance.

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Drawing results

When will drawing results be available?
Drawing results will be available on Sept. 16, 2024.

How do I check my drawing results?
You can check your drawing results online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by calling 517-284-9453. You are responsible for obtaining your drawing results online.

What happens if I am selected in the drawing?
If you are selected in the drawing, you will be eligible to participate in a “day-of” drawing at the location, date and time assigned to you. You are not required to provide proof of a successful application in the reserved waterfowl hunting drawing. Local staff will verify your eligibility on location. Hunting conditions (e.g., water levels, crop conditions) may vary, and hunters are encouraged to call area headquarters for the most up-to-date conditions. Managed waterfowl hunt areas enforce special rules (e.g., shell limits, shot sizes, use of motion-winged decoys). Consult area maps or contact area headquarters for more information.

What can I harvest during the reserved waterfowl hunt?
You can harvest any waterfowl species with an open season during your reserved hunt.

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