Last Week in Review
October 19 — October 26, 2026
Weather
Nighttime temperatures were in the mid-40s to low 50s, with daytime highs averaging from the upper 50s to the mid-60s. Once again, winds were mostly light and variable throughout the week, with no significant weather events.
Waterfowl Abundance
Refuge duck counts increased this week but remain low at around 10,725. Observed species included mainly mallards, a few wood ducks and teal, along with quite a few wigeon, black ducks and pintails. Goose numbers remained steady this week, but we are also seeing an increase in the number of swans arriving.
Hunting Conditions
All available decoy openings have been mowed. Flooding has been completed in zones 1-3, 9-13, the 20s, the teens, the 40s and zones 50-69. Slightly higher Saginaw Bay water levels have helped bring most zones to just below full pool before the season.
Zones 1-3 currently have corn that is 7-8 feet tall. Flooding has reached full pool levels.
Marsh zones 4-8 all have water and camouflaged blinds. Water levels range from 12-24 inches.
Corn height in zones 9-13 ranges from 7-9 feet. These zones reached full pool on 10/10/2026.
Corn in zones 14-19 is very short. The crop is extremely stunted, reaching only 2-3 feet at best, and is already falling over. Corn in zones 15 and 17 is completely gone, leaving no cover. Water levels are good throughout zones 14-19.
Corn in zones 20-32 ranges from 5-8 feet tall. Zones 22-23, 26, 29 and 31-32 have blinds available for hunters. Significant deer damage is present in zones 28, 29 and 30-32, with some damage also occurring in the usual areas along the northern edge of the field. Water levels reached full pool on 10/6/2026.
Corn in zones 45-48 ranges from 6-8 feet tall. The exception is the far northern end of zone 49, where significant deer damage has left little to no corn. Zones 48 and 49 have camouflaged blinds available for hunters who prefer to hunt out of the water. Flooding in the 40s reached full pool on 10/10/2026.
Corn in zones 50-56 currently ranges from 5-8 feet tall. Sharecropping was completed on 10/1/2026, and flooding began immediately afterward. The entire field reached full pool, and flooding ceased on 10/10/2026. New access for zones 50-51 was created in the zone 49 parking lot.
Corn cover in zones 58-69 has reached 5-8 feet tall. Sharecropping and flooding are complete in these zones. Zone 65 is shallow but huntable, with water extending from the northern end to about three-quarters of the way south.
Corn in the 70s is 7-8 feet tall and should provide good cover and food for migrating waterfowl this fall. The beans have been harvested and shallow-disked. Rye has been planted as a cover crop and is beginning to grow.
Buckwheat, barley and moist-soil plants are present around most hunting zones and will provide a food source for waterfowl throughout the hunting season.
Hunter Numbers
Hunter numbers now total 3,570, with a total harvest of 3,634 ducks and 307 geese. This week saw a high of 43 parties on Sunday morning and a low of 13 parties on both Monday and Wednesday mornings. Despite the lack of favorable duck hunting weather, we are still harvesting enough birds to keep us going, averaging 1.10 birds per hunter.
Waterfowl Harvest
Harvest numbers from goose and teal season, along with the youth and veterans hunt, resulted in 127 ducks and 141 geese harvested. As of 10/26/2026, the season totals are 3,634 ducks and 307 geese. A wide variety of species have been harvested so far this season, including significant numbers of pintails and green-winged teal, along with mallards, wood ducks, wigeon and gadwall. Several diving duck species have also been harvested, including ring-necked ducks, scaup, redheads and even a few goldeneyes.
What to Expect This Week
High temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-60s, with overnight lows ranging from the mid-40s to the low 50s Tuesday through Sunday. There is potential for rain and more favorable winds Thursday, Sunday and Monday. Hopefully, the forecast holds true, as we need some good weather days to get those birds moving again and bring in some fresh birds.
Upcoming Events
- Pheasant season runs from Oct. 20 through Nov. 14.
- Oct. 24: The afternoon drawing is a youth preference hunt.
- Nov. 11: A veterans preference hunt will be held for both drawings.
- Nov. 29 at noon: A drawing will be held for deer and pheasant hunting. Only one person per party will be allowed to enter, and the permit will be valid from Nov. 30 through Dec. 6.
- Dec. 12-13: The two-day waterfowl split will take place. Whether the hunt will use a drawing or self-registration will depend on weather conditions, with a decision made at least one week in advance. Stay tuned for more details.
- Dec. 14: Trapping permits will be available by appointment only. Please call the office to schedule an appointment with staff.
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