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September 29 – October 5, 2025
Temperatures remained above average for the week leading into the Middle Zone duck opener on October 4. Lower 70s and sun turned to 80s and sun, along with south winds. North wind days have been few and far between, as well as any measurable precipitation. Opening day, October 4, saw temperatures hovering around 90 in the afternoon, with Sunday, October 5, at 88 and a stiff southerly wind. Cooler temperatures in the forecast are welcomed by both hunters and ducks alike.
The refuge count on Friday, October 3, proved tough, as a hot sun and little wind had birds seeking shade and shelter in the refuge, and they weren't too keen on moving. Duck numbers were estimated at 2,500, with goose numbers at 650. Wood ducks, teal, pintails, wigeon, and gadwall were the primary puddle duck species, with a lot of ringnecks making up the vast majority of diving ducks.
For opening weekend, we had a total of 393 hunter trips. For the opening weekend reserved hunts, we had 29/35 for October 4 a.m., 21/35 for October 4 (youth) p.m., 24/35 for October 5 a.m., and 27/35 for October 5 p.m. We were able to fill all available leftovers in all draws except the October 4 youth priority drawing, where there were no eligible parties present to take any leftovers.
A slow-moving cold front is moving southeast across the state, ushering in cooler temperatures and the potential for some precipitation as well. Monday’s forecast of mid-80s and a stiff south breeze will be replaced Tuesday by north winds and mid-60s. As the full moon wanes and temperatures drop, coupled with the north wind, look for hunting to improve as the first week of the 2025 season gets rolling.
Saginaw Bay, as well as the entire watershed of the Upper Midwest, is either in drought stages or, in some cases, severe drought. As water levels continue to recede this fall, be sure to have a plan in place when you go out on the bay or Great Lakes, and be sure of where you are navigating, as many hunters are discovering sand flats where there was once water, boulders, and other hazards. While the lower water levels of the Wiscoggin Drain have been challenging at times for pumping water into our zones and fields, staff have been extremely attentive to northerly wind days and have capitalized on running pumps around the clock to ensure we can provide as much water and quality hunting as possible this season.
