Skip to main content
Manager's update

Manager's update

Week in review

Dec. 2–8

Weather

The cold finally showed up, but it came quickly and harshly, basically making hunting opportunities futile. Ice began to form as early as last Sunday, and got thicker as the week went on as cold nights and low 30s days were the norm the entire week. Strong west winds were also present all week, reaching up to 50 mph on Thursday, which pushed Lake Erie out and left tributaries barren of water. This combination of ice and strong wind made opportunities few and far between for hunting for the week.

Waterfowl abundance

Numbers dropped to the season low on the area, with roughly 1000 birds or less utilizing the little bit of water they kept open in the refuge. Mallards, black ducks, and shovelers were the most abundant species.

Hunting conditions

  • Long Pond (2–10): Marsh unit. Another great year of healthy vegetation throughout the unit, with open small pockets and larger openings throughout. Water depth is between knee and waist deep throughout the unit, allowing for walk in hunting and small boat use. The bottom is much more firm than last year, but it is still a marsh with submerged cattail mounds, so caution will be needed. The rollers for this unit are accessible, but will require pulling the boat on dry land some distance before reaching them.
  • Nelson (11–14): Cropped unit. All zones are partially flooded currently as to not expose all seed yet. Water is concentrated at the east end of each zone, but gradually approaching the west end. Corn grew well, standing at 6 ft tall in most areas. Buckwheat is present but sparse in some spots due to wet conditions around planting time.
  • Walpatich (15, 19, 21): Cropped units. Corn grew well standing around 6 ft. Buckwheat production is also marginal but still providing food. Water is concentrated in the lower areas of the units currently, but will be added to throughout the season.
  • Walpatich (16–18, 20, 22): Marsh/moist soil units. 16 is not cropped this year but will provide shallow water hunting and cattail cover. 17, 18, 20, 22 are cattail marsh units with plenty of good cover. All zones had good vegetation response and openings were maintained to provide open water. Water depth ranges from ankle–waist deep.
  • Brancheau (23–25) managed by USFWS: Located about 5 miles south of Pointe Mouillee. This unit, per the order of USFWS, has been removed from the draw for 2024.
  • Vermet: Public hunting unit. This unit will look much different than previous years. With the restored use of the big pump on the game area, the main focus for its use was to draw down the Vermet Unit to encourage vegetation growth. Vegetation response was good, but still in an immature stage so cover will be limited. Water levels will be significantly lower than previous years to not stunt the immature vegetation, which will require a small boat and mud motor in most of the unit. The lower water level should also encourage more dabbler use as well. It is recommended to use the middle causeway (launch at Roberts Rd, south end of Humphries Unit) rollers for this unit rather than the north causeway because of the sediment deposit forming in front of the north causeway rollers.
  • Humphries: Public hunting unit. West end has awesome shallow water habitat, while east end is deep with cattail mats. Walk in hunting along the west, while a boat will be needed for the east. Water levels should be somewhat lower than previous years.
  • Bad Creek/Cripple Point Units: Public hunting units. Walk–in units. Units were maintained for openings, but shallower water than previous years. Most water will be concentrated to the east end of the units.

Hunter numbers

  • Week hunter trips: 45
  • Season hunter Trips: 1224
  • Draw sizes: Tuesday (p.m.) had 14 parties, Thursday (all day) had 5 parties, Sunday (a.m.) had 8 parties, and Sunday (p.m.) had 12 parties. All draws were affected by the icy conditions.

Waterfowl harvest

Week total

  • Ducks: 19
  • Geese: 0
  • Top species: Mallard (12)
  • Ducks/hunter trip: 0.42

Season total

  • Ducks: 1273
  • Geese: 52
  • Top species: Mallard (706), Wood duck (224), Green-winged teal (84)
  • Ducks/hunter trip: 1.04

What to expect this week

This is the end of the regular season. There is no draw for the 2-day split.

Upcoming events

There is no draw for the 2-day split on Dec. 28,29. All units (aside from the old shooting range and residence area) are open for all use and occupancy beginning Dec.16. 

Other comments

Trapping permits are available at the Pointe Mouillee office for the 2024–2025 trapping season.