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September 27 - October 4, 2026
Nighttime temperatures ranged from the 50s to the 60s, with daytime highs averaging in the 70s. Winds were mostly light and variable throughout the week, with approximately 1 inch of total precipitation.
Refuge duck counts increased this week but remain low. We observed primarily mallards, wood ducks and a notable increase in teal, along with a few American wigeon, black ducks and pintails. Goose numbers remained steady, with a few more flights moving into the area when wind conditions were favorable.
All available decoy openings have been mowed. Flooding has begun in Zones 1-3, 9-13, the teens, the 20s, the 40s and Zones 50-69. Slightly higher Saginaw Bay water levels have helped bring most zones to just below full pool ahead of the season. Expect hunting zones to reach full pool by the second week of the season.
Zones 1-3: Corn is currently 7-8 feet tall. Water levels are essentially at full pool, with water throughout Zones 1, 2 and 3.
Zones 4-8: All marsh zones have water and camouflaged blinds. Water depths range from 6 to 18 inches.
Zones 9-13: Corn heights range from 7 to 9 feet. Water is currently present in Zones 9, 10, 11 and 13. Most of Zone 12 is huntable, though the far southern end has ankle-deep water.
Zones 14-19: Corn growth is severely stunted, with plants only 2-3 feet tall at best. The corn is already falling over. Water coverage is good throughout these zones.
Zones 20-32: Corn heights range from 5 to 8 feet. Zones 22, 23, 26, 29, 31 and 32 have blinds available for hunters. Significant deer damage is present in Zones 28-32, with additional damage in the usual areas along the northern edge of the field. Water levels reached full pool as of Oct. 6.
Zones 45-49: Corn in Zones 45-48 is 6-8 feet tall. The far northern end of Zone 49 has sustained significant deer damage, leaving little to no corn. Zones 48 and 49 have camouflaged blinds for hunters who prefer to hunt outside the water. Flooding in the 40s field is progressing well, with water in all zones and levels only inches below full pool.
Zones 50-56: Corn is currently 5-8 feet tall. Sharecropping was completed Oct. 1 and flooding began immediately afterward. The entire field has sheet water and should be huntable by this weekend. A new access point for Zones 50-51 was created in the Zone 49 parking lot.
Zones 58-69: Corn cover has reached 5-8 feet. Sharecropping is complete and flooding is nearly finished. Zone 65 is currently the only zone that is not huntable.
Zones 70s: Corn is 7-8 feet tall and should provide good cover and food for migrating waterfowl this fall. Soybeans are currently being harvested and sharecropping is nearly complete.
Buckwheat, barley and moist-soil plants are present around most hunting zones and will provide food for waterfowl throughout the hunting season.
Hunting during the remainder of early goose season was slow. The season concluded Sept. 30 with a total harvest of 141 geese.
Opening weekend of duck season saw 32 parties in the opening-morning draw, followed by 10 parties in the leftover draw for the remaining three spots. The afternoon youth draw had 27 parties and filled three leftover spots. On the second day, both draws had 30 parties and the remaining five spots were filled. We ended the weekend with 454 hunters.
Harvest during goose and teal season, along with the youth and veteran hunt, totaled 127 ducks and 141 geese. As of Oct. 4, the cumulative harvest stood at 599 ducks and 164 geese.
High temperatures are forecast to range from the mid-60s to the low 70s Tuesday through Sunday, with a chance of precipitation Sunday.
No upcoming events were reported.
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