Michigan’s 2013 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Now Open
It’s time to polish up the shotgun, round up the retriever and don the camouflage – it’s the season for hunting ducks and geese in Michigan! Area wildlife managers are beginning to see a widespread movement of waterfowl in the state, and they predict a good hunting season this year.
Michigan is regionally known for the great diversity and the high quality of its waterfowl hunting opportunities. Try a new location for waterfowl hunting this year, or visit your tried and true spot. A list of all state game areas for trip planning can be found on the DNR’s website at www.michigan.gov/hunting.
“Michigan is unlike other states in that waterfowl hunters have a variety of types of waterfowl hunting, from field-hunting Canada geese, to hunting puddle ducks and wood ducks in marshes and swamps, to hunting diving ducks and sea ducks on big water,” said DNR Waterfowl Specialist Barb Avers. “There aren’t many places where you can get that kind of diversity and not have to drive very far to find it!”
The regular Canada goose season is already under way. Season dates run from Sept. 11 – Dec. 11 in the North Zone; Sept. 21-29 and Oct. 5 – Dec. 26 in the Middle Zone; and Sep. 21-23, Oct. 12 – Dec. 8 and Dec. 28-29 in the South Zone, except in designated goose management units (GMUs). Information on goose seasons in GMUs can be found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/waterfowl.
The late goose season in the South Zone is Jan. 18 – Feb. 15, 2014.
Duck seasons have been split into two segments in all three of state duck-hunting zones this year. Duck hunting is has begun in the North Zone and runs from Sept. 21 – Nov. 10 and Nov. 23 – Dec. 1. In the Middle Zone, duck season is Oct. 5 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 14-15, and in the South Zone, duck season is Oct. 12 – Dec. 8 and Dec. 28-29.
Waterfowl hunting regulations and bag limits can be found in the 2013-2014 Michigan Waterfowl Hunting Digest. Digests are available at DNR Operation Service Centers, wildlife field offices and license agents or you can find them on the web at www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests.
The 2013-14 waterfowl hunting season continues the celebration of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL). The MWL is a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl, wetlands and waterfowl hunting community. For more information about MWL, please visit www.michigan.gov/mwl.
