- Details
(Provided by MDNR)
Earlier this year, the Michigan DNR staff took to the sky in small aircraft to observe and count ducks, geese and swans on southern Michigan waterways.
DNR Wildlife Division staff observed 148,521 ducks, 49,840 geese and 5,103 swans in 2017s survey.
In the 2016 survey, 157,028 ducks, 33,468 geese and 5,896 swans were observed. Goose observations increased in 2017, while duck observations were down about 5 percent and swan observations down 13 percent.
- Details
By Louie Stout
Michiana waterfowl hunters still have time to harvest geese in Michigan this season.
The DNR encourages hunters to pursue this delicious, locally sourced game and to pass the tradition of goose hunting on to a new generation of hunters.
Indiana's North Zone remains open through Feb. 12. Michigan's South Zone late Canada goose season continues through Feb. 11, with a couple of exceptions.
The Muskegon County Wastewater System Goose Management Unit is not open for late season goose hunting.† The Allegan County Goose Management Unit is open for late-season goose hunting through Feb. 12. The Fennville Farm Unit at Allegan State Game Area holds drawings for goose hunting zones on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
- Details
By Louie Stout
Goose Hunting Opportunities Continue for Michiana HuntersMichiana waterfowl hunters still have time to harvest geese in Michigan this season.
The DNR encourages hunters to pursue this delicious, locally sourced game and to pass the tradition of goose hunting on to a new generation of hunters.
Indiana’s North Zone remains open through Feb. 12. Michigan’s South Zone late Canada goose season continues through Feb. 11, with a couple of exceptions.
The Muskegon County Wastewater System Goose Management Unit is not open for late season goose hunting. The Allegan County Goose Management Unit is open for late-season goose hunting through Feb. 12. The Fennville Farm Unit at Allegan State Game Area holds drawings for goose hunting zones on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
- Details
(Provided by MDNR)
Poachers who killed nearly 60 ducks received stiff sentences.
Poachers who killed nearly 60 ducks received stiff sentences.
Four Ottawa County men ticketed recently for poaching nearly 60 wild ducks from a private agricultural pond near the Grand River watershed were sentenced this week in district court.
Tyler John Meerman, 24, of Conklin, Colson Thomas Modderman, 22, of Wyoming, Justin Allen Beckman, 20, of Coopersville; and Michael Duane Sorenson III, 20, of Marne pleaded guilty Tuesday and were sentenced the same day in Ottawa County District Court.
The convictions resulted from an Oct. 9 incident, near a popular waterfowl hunting area in Chester Township, which is situated in the northern part of the county. A total of 58 ducks were killed.
"These four individuals used over 200 pounds of corn to illegally entice these ducks in for the kill," said DNR conservation officer Dave Rodgers. "The men were not using decoys or duck calls and therefore were not hunting, but rather, they were poaching."
The use of bait for duck hunting is not allowed. The ducks poached included 35 wood ducks and 23 mallards, including 13 mallard hens.
- Details
(Provided by MDNR)
Muskegon County Wastewater System Offers Excellent WaterfowlingWhen many think of wastewater facilities, they think of smelly, unpleasant areas unfit for humans. Hunters and birders know that Muskegon County Wastewater System is something special. With large storage lagoons and 3,500 acres of agriculture habitat, Muskegon County Wastewater managed waterfowl hunt area produces excellent habitat for both ducks and geese.†
Canada geese are plentiful at the Muskegon County Wastewater and are one of the most harvested species. Opportunities for snow, Rossís and cackling geese sometimes occur. During the regular waterfowl season, hunters commonly take mallards, black ducks and other dabblers.