Manager's update

Week in review

Nov. 25 – Dec. 1

Weather

Nighttime temperatures were in the mid-20s with highs reaching the low 40s.

Waterfowl abundance

Refuge counts for ducks and geese have hit rock bottom. There were a few mallards, black ducks, pintails, redheads and geese in the refuge.

Hunting conditions

• Hunting zones 1–3 currently has 7–9ft tall corn. Water levels vary between 12–24 inches in zones 1–3.
• Marsh zones 4–8 all have camouflaged blinds. Water levels vary between 12–20 inches.
• The corn height in zones 9–13 varies between 8–9ft tall and should provide ample food for migrating waterfowl. Water levels in zones 9–12 vary from 12–36 inches.
• Corn heights in 14–19 vary from 7.5–8ft. The corn in zones 15, 17 and 19 seems to be brittle. Water levels vary from 12–30 inches.
• The corn in zones 20–32 varies in height from 6.5–8ft. Zones 22–23, 26, 29 and 31–32 have blinds that hunters can utilize. Hunters can expect to see 12–36 inches of water in 20–30 and 32.
• Currently, the corn in zones 45–49 is 7–8ft tall. Zones 48 and 49 have camouflaged blinds if hunters want to get out of the water. Water depths in zones 45–49 vary from 12–36 inches.
• Currently, the corn in zones 50–56 is 7–8ft tall. These zones currently have 12–15 inches of water.
• The corn cover in 58–69 has reached 6.5–8ft tall. Hunters can expect to see 8–24 inches of water.
• The corn in the 70s is 7–8ft tall and should produce good cover and food for migrating waterfowl this fall. There are two (2) 60ft strips of corn that extend the length of the field. These strips will provide hunters with plenty of cover to hide and ample food for waterfowl throughout the season.
• Buckwheat, barley, winter wheat and moist soil plants are around most hunting zones and will provide a food source for waterfowl throughout the hunting season.

Hunter numbers

The highest draw that we had this week was 28 parties. We had a total of 774 hunters this week.

Waterfowl harvest

Total harvest for the week of 11/25/24 thru 12/01/24 was 364 ducks and 12 geese (0.47 ducks/hunter trip). Since 9/1/24 hunters harvested 6234 ducks and 407 geese in 7084 hunter trips (0.94 waterfowl/hunter trip).

What to expect this week

High temperatures are supposed to reach the upper 30s and drop to around 15 at night. Hunters should expect to break ice. Currently rain/snow showers are predicted for Saturday and Sunday.

Upcoming events

• We will be doing drawings for the two day split on Dec. 14th and 15th at 5:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
• Trapping permits are issued by appointment (all trapping rules apply).
• Drawing for muzzleloader deer/pheasant hunting will take place at 12 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8th and 15.
  • Dec. 1 — drawing permit will be valid from Dec. 2nd thru 8th.
  • Dec. 8 — drawing permit will be valid from Dec. 9 thru 13 and
  • Dec. 15 — drawing permit will be valid from Dec. 16 thru Dec. 29
• Self Registration– Dec. 30 thru January 31 (See page 6 and 9 in the Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations Summary)

Other comments

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