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Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
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Managed waterfowl hunt areas, or Wetland Wonders, offer first-class waterfowl hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. These areas are managed to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland wildlife. Since the beginning, the areas have been funded by hunting license fees and area use fees, but they are open for anyone to visit, use, and enjoy most of the year.
Are there special rules at managed waterfowl hunt areas?Yes. Special rules are enforced, including shell limits, shot size limits, hunting party size, etc. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders.
What equipment should I bring to a managed waterfowl hunt area?Use of waders, decoys, calls, retrievers, and small boats and motors is recommended.
How do I hunt managed waterfowl hunt areas?Daily drawings are conducted locally for free hunting-zone permits throughout the season (see drawing dates and times below).
Are there special draws for youth at the managed waterfowl areas?Yes. Several areas offer opening-day afternoon youth hunts, as well as other youth priority draws during the season. Opening weekend hunts are by reservation only at several areas.
Are managed waterfowl hunt area drawings ever canceled?Normal managed-area drawings may be canceled late in the season if extreme weather results in low hunter participation. Area managers will post amended check-station hunting rules a minimum of two days prior to any changes. Late in the season, hunters may wish to call area headquarters to verify that drawings will be held.
Do managed waterfowl hunt areas hold waterfowl reserved hunts?Yes. Some units during the highest weekend of duck season are by reservation.
Return to table of contentsThere are seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas located in southern Michigan.
| Area (county, nearest town) | Phone | Youth hunting dates | Drawing dates and times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fennville Farm (Allegan County, Fennville) | 269-561-2258 | Dec. 21 (a.m.) nonreserved Dec. 28 (a.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 12–13 and Dec. 21 – Feb. 15. Drawing at 5:30 a.m. Leftover zones will be reissued until 11 a.m. Permits valid until 4 p.m. Afternoon hunts: No afternoon draws. No drawings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Dec. 21 – Feb. 15. Self-registration available for goose hunting outside of drawing dates from Sept. 1-30 and Nov. 19 – Dec. 8 at the Fennville Farm Unit office. Self-registration available for duck hunting outside of drawing dates at the Fennville Farm Unit office during South Zone duck season. |
| Fish Point (Tuscola County, Unionville) | 989-674-2511 | Oct. 5 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 2 (p.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (Muskegon County, Twin Lake) | 231-788-5055 Call for opening dates | Oct. 26 (a.m. and p.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Tuesdays and Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. Afternoon hunts: Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Hunts continue through November; no longer closed Nov. 15-30. Permits for Tuesday morning drawings are valid until close of shooting hours. |
| Nayanquing Point (Bay County, Linwood) | 989-697-5101 | Oct. 5 (p.m.) reserved Oct. 19 (p.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| Pointe Mouillee (Wayne County, Rockwood) | 734-379-9692 | Oct. 12 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 3 (a.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Sundays, Thursdays and Oct. 12 at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Sundays, Tuesdays and Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Permits for Thursday morning drawings are valid until close of shooting hours. |
| Shiawassee River (Saginaw County, St. Charles) | 989-865-6211 | Oct. 12 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 2 (p.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Daily at 5 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| St. Clair Flats (Harsens Island, St. Clair County, Algonac) | 810-748-9504 | Oct. 12 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 2 (p.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (Saginaw County, Saginaw) | 989-777-5930 | Oct. 26 (a.m.) nonreserved |
Morning hunts: Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:30 a.m. Afternoon hunts: Thursdays at noon. Please go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/shiawassee/visit-us/activities/hunting prior to your hunt to see updates and refuge-specific regulations. There will not be a reserved hunt at Shiawassee NWR for the 2024 season. |
When do the veterans preference drawings take place?
Veterans preference drawings at the following managed waterfowl areas will take place Nov. 10-12, for properly licensed, resident, active-duty U.S. military personnel and veterans. There will not be a veterans preference drawing at Fennville Farm or Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
What documentation do I need to hunt during the veterans preference drawings?
The following documentation, along with a valid Michigan driver's license or voter registration card, will be accepted as proof of status: military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, copy of DD Form 214, enhanced driver's license or documentation from the Veterans Administration regarding disability status. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force National Guard, you may provide a copy of NGB Form 22 or NGB Form 23.
Which parties will be eligible for the veterans preference drawing?
To be eligible for the veterans preference drawings, single hunters must be active-duty military personnel or veterans; party hunters must have at least one member in their party who is active-duty military or a veteran.
