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Nov.17-Nov. 23
The weather this week starts mild in the upper 40s to near 50 through midweek, showing signs of being a little more “ducky” with some stronger winds and possible colder temperatures starting Thursday through the end of the week and season.
The refuge count on Wednesday, November 19, was estimated to be approximately 17,000 ducks and 1,500 geese. The predominant species last week were mallards, pintails, gadwall, black ducks, and shovelers. We have seen a decent increase in divers using the refuge over the last couple of weeks, observing mainly redheads and ringnecks with a nice mix of multiple other species.
The amount of mute swans remains consistent around 25–30. We had substantially fewer tundra swans in the refuge at the time of our count, but there were multiple fields close by with probably close to 2,500 that were already out feeding or loafing for the day. There is also still a good number of sandhill cranes in and around the area, and Canada goose numbers had also increased.
1–3: 4–6' corn on average. Zone 3 corn had the most deer/goose damage and has spotty areas. Water levels: 4–16"
4–8: Marsh zones with blinds. Water varies from 6–18"
9–13: Corn heights are 6–7' on average throughout the field. Water levels are between 6–20"
14–19: Corn heights 6–7'. Water is currently at 6–20" throughout.
20–32: Corn heights are 5–7' on average, most of the deer damage in this field is in the southern half of zone 22 and a little bit of the north end of 21. Water levels are currently at 4–20"
39–44: Marsh habitat, pond is around 6–12"
45–49: Corn 6–7 ft. in zones 45–48. Zone 49 heavily damaged but has a blind. Water 4–20 in.
50–56: Corn 4–6 ft. Water 4–16 in.
58–63: Corn 4–6 ft. Water 4–16 in.
64–69: Corn 4–6 ft. Water 4–16 in., lowest on west side of zones 64–65.
70–77: Corn 6–8 ft. Entire field is dry.
Zones with marginal cover: 3 (spotty), north end of 21, south end of 22, 49.
We had a sharp decline in participation last week, seeing even lower numbers than the previous week. We had a total of 347 hunter trips. Our highest draw size was 30 on Sunday morning, and our lowest was two parties on Tuesday morning.
Last week was our lowest harvest of the season, with 86 ducks and 5 geese taken for an average of 0.25 ducks per hunter trip. There are still plenty of birds in the refuge and surrounding areas, but they are well educated and content where they are safe.
Ducks: 6,406
Geese: 415
Hunter trips: 7,017
Ducks per hunter trip: 0.91
It is unlikely we will see new birds arrive before the end of the season. Birds are here, but they have had no reason to move with the recent weather. It looks like the anticipated Thanksgiving cold snap will arrive Monday, when we are closed. We are hoping for a strong finish with some wind and possible precipitation Thursday through the weekend.
Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving): The check station will close at 12 p.m.
Nov. 30: First pheasant/muzzleloader deer drawing at 12 p.m. for Dec. 1–7.
Dec. 7: Second muzzleloader deer/pheasant drawing at 12 p.m. for Dec. 8–12.
Dec. 13–14: Zone 3 waterfowl split. Drawings/conditions weather dependent; updates forthcoming.
Dec. 15–Jan. 1: Late antlerless and pheasant hunting will be self-registration. Call (989) 674-2511 or follow posted instructions in the building.
