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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Extreme cold conditions on Michigans waters are causing some trouble for Michigans waterfowl, according to the Michigan DNR.
The exceptionally cold winter weather of the past few weeks has caused the rivers and waters of the Great Lakes to freeze further into the center, similar to conditions experienced last year.
Large concentrations of ducks like canvasbacks, long-tailed ducks, redheads and scaup are gathering in the remaining areas of open water on the Great Lakes, including western Lake Erie, and on large rivers like the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. With so many ducks in a small area, and a fairly small amount of food, some of these ducks are becoming malnourished.
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Indiana will again offer a late season for Canada geese that targets urban geese.
The season runs Feb. 1-15 in the following counties in northern Indiana: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, St. Joseph, Steuben, Starke, and Whitley.
The bag limit is three Canada geese per day (possession limit 9) while shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Hunters must have an Indiana hunting license, Indiana waterfowl stamp, federal waterfowl stamp, and a HIP number to participate.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Allegan State Game Area: Goose Hunters' ParadiseIf you like hunting geese, the Fennville Farm Unit - a 4,100-acre paradise for goose hunters - is the place to do it.
Fennville is part of the Allegan State Game Area located northwest of Kalamazoo. Purchased by the Michigan DNR from the A.M. Todd Company of Kalamazoo in 1949, the property was originally used to grow peppermint but has since turned into a waterfowl hunter's dream.
Canada geese are the number-one harvested species at Fennville. Opportunities for snow, Rossís and cackling geese sometimes occur. During the regular waterfowl season, hunters commonly take mallards, black ducks and other dabblers.
"The Fennville Farm Unit is a unique area that offers a variety of hunting opportunities," said DNR wildlife technician Mike Richardson. "Waterfowl hunting in particular can be fantastic, with much work being done every year to promote not only goose hunting but duck hunting as well. With easily accessible hunting areas and numbers that can peak at over 12,000 geese and 8,000 ducks, the Fennville Farm Unit is a great place to have a great hunt."
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By Josh Lantz, Traditions Media
Joe Balogs appreciation for organization has been garnered from thousands of trips on the water as a hunting and fishing guide. Waterfowlers are a dedicated bunch who finds wet, cold and windy weather ideal hunting conditions.
Such miserable elements prompt ducks and geese to move more regularly between roosting, feeding and loafing areas while also pushing fresh birds down along their fall migration routes. Sure, itís nasty outside, but youíd better be there if you want a shot at knocking them down.
Our sport is also gear-intensive, requiring long hours of preparation before we even set foot in the field or marsh. Once that abundant gear is readied, it needs to be transported to and from the field in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
Many waterfowlers make things harder than they need to be, inflicting unnecessary pain upon themselves and others in their hunting parties through a lack of organization.
