Family-Outdoors

The DNR’s 2021 spring waterfowl population surveys show stable to increased numbers of breeding waterfowl, despite below-average wetland conditions. / Photo Credit: iStock/mauribo MADISON, Wis.  – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced an increase in the waterfowl population across most of the state, despite dry winter and spring weather. The DNR’s 2021 spring waterfowl population surveys show stable to increased numbers of breeding waterfowl, despite below-average wetland conditions. Surveys showed an increase in the number of total birds compared to 2019 estimates with increases in wood duck, blue-winged teal and Canada goose numbers. However, there has been a slight dip in mallard numbers. Wisconsin experienced a relatively mild and dry winter followed by below-average precipitation in April and May. As a result, wetland conditions are drier throughout the state. Some areas of the state experienced considerable rainfall in May and June, while other a...

Heading in to the second year of Iowa’s three year special September teal season hunters can expect to find most wetlands in good condition and near record levels of these small fast-flying ducks. “The teal are there, most of our wetlands are holding water, now we hope that the migration happens during the season and the ducks stop over here,” said Orrin Jones, waterfowl biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Teal prefer larger shallow-water marshes with healthy vegetation that supply a steady diet of bugs and seeds to dine on and cover in which to hide. Hunters can improve their chances for success if they set up with the sun at their back or side. That will help with duck identification and provide hunter cover,” Jones said. “It’s extremely difficult to accurately ID a duck while looking into the sun.” Jones advised hunters to be patient. He said the highest activity period for waterfowl is the half hour before  sunrise but shooting hours for the spec...

The 2015 Wisconsin spring waterfowl breeding population survey indicates quality waterfowl production, despite dry conditions experienced during the survey. For all species, population counts showed no significant change from estimates compared to last year. This survey information, along with two other primary sources of information regarding yearly waterfowl breeding conditions, is used to determine the fall season structure for Wisconsin. The full survey report can be found by searching the Department of Natural Resources website,  dnr.wi.gov , for keywords " waterfowl management ." With considerable precipitation in May, wetland conditions improved just in time for brood rearing, and Wisconsin is expected to provide good duck production in 2015. "In 2015, spring weather came much earlier than the previous two years, which is normally a good sign for breeding waterfowl," said Kent Van Horn, DNR waterfowl biologist. "A large proportion of ducks har...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Midwinter Waterfowl Survey The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated 145,200 birds were in the state. Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist, said an estimated 87,700 Canada geese were observed on the Missouri River, and another 30,600 were scattered on Nelson Lake. Lake Sakakawea, declared iced-over on Jan. 6, had no geese on the lake itself. Szymanski said after summarizing the numbers, 118,500 Canada geese and 26,500 mallards were tallied statewide. “Conditions leading up to this year’s survey were highly variable, but lower than average snow conditions resulted in more birds in the state compared to the past couple winters,” Szymanski said. Harsh conditions in mid-November pushed many geese through the Missouri River System, Szymanski said, and essentially all other waters in the state, with the exception of a few places with fast-moving or warm water, were fr...

Looking for a new place to hunt waterfowl this fall? Take a trip to Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area for a quality hunting experience. Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, just north of Linwood on the western shore of the Saginaw Bay, has a family feeling. The hunters there take great pride in this local resource and appreciate the natural beauty and abundant waterfowl in the area. A mix of dabbling and diving ducks, as well as Canada geese, can be found at Nayanquing Point and on the adjoining waters of Saginaw Bay. Mallards are the most commonly harvested duck, with a good number of wood ducks (early in the season) and green-winged teal and widgeon taken as well. Waterfowl hunters who want to hunt at Nayanquing Point must enter the managed hunt drawing. Drawings occur every day of the waterfowl hunting season at  5:30 and 11 a.m.  There are 26 flooded field zones and 40 marsh zones on the area, most with easy walk-in access. Nayanquing Point encompasses 1,50...

Youths in the southern and eastern parts of Oklahoma will be able to get an early jump on duck season this weekend. Youth waterfowl hunting days will be Oct. 18-19 in Waterfowl Zone 2, providing two additional days outside of the regular waterfowl seasons for hunters 15 and younger.    The regular season for ducks, mergansers and coots is already open in the three Panhandle counties. The season will open Oct. 25 in Zone 1, and Nov. 1 in Zone 2. Goose hunting season will open Nov. 1 statewide.    Any youth hunting during the special early waterfowl weekend must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older who is hunter education certified (unless exempt). The adult hunter may not hunt ducks, mergansers or coots, but may participate in other open seasons. All daily bag limits for waterfowl are the same as those for the regular seasons.    Duck population numbers were strong this past breeding season, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 's 2014 Wat...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl season is  Sept. 20-21 . Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide. The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. Exception: the additional two blue-winged teal allowed during the first 16 days of the regular season are not allowed during the youth season. Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Nonresidents from states that do not provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents must purchase the entire nonresident waterfowl license package. In addition, all youth hunters must be Harvest Information Program certified, and youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course...

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated 71,500 birds were in the state. Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist, said an estimated 40,700 Canada geese were observed on the Missouri River, and another 12,000 were scattered on Nelson Lake. Lake Sakakawea, declared iced-over on  Dec. 14 , had no geese on the lake itself. Szymanski said after summarizing the numbers, a total of 52,700 Canada geese and 18,700 mallards were tallied statewide.  “Conditions leading up to this year’s survey were colder than normal, resulting in fewer birds in the state compared to the past couple winters,” Szymanski said. “Most waterfowl were pushed from North Dakota just prior to Thanksgiving, with the exception of those using the Missouri River System.” According to Szymanski, early December cold temperatures and strong winds pushed most Missouri River birds from the state. Conditions remained the s...

Duck season is currently open for Zone 2. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting wildlifedepartment.com .   NORTHWEST    Canton - Zone 1 :  Water level is 12.8 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are poor at the current lake level. Winter wheat around the lake is in fair condition. Row crops have been harvested and are in good condition. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is low. Hunter success for geese is unknown. The northwest portion of the lake is dry, and the only usable boat ramp is at the Canadian Campground day use area. regulations log on to   Fort Supply- Zone 1 : Water level is .59 feet above normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Local winter wheat is in poor condition. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is moderate. Hunter success is good. Goose numbers have decreased considerably over the past week. The lake and sloughs are currently 100% open and clear of ice. SOUTHWEST   Ft. Cobb - Zone 2 : Water level is 5.76 feet...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds waterfowl hunters that some fields are considered baited and off limits to waterfowl hunting.  Due to the wet and cold spring, some farmers were not able to plant a normal crop for harvest. Instead they worked with their insurance companies or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service office to plant a cover crop.  “These cover crops were never intended for harvest and are now being disced, tilled or plowed. The food sources such as oats, which were a common cover crop, are now an attractive food source for ducks and geese,” said Lt. Dean Olson, DNR enforcement district supervisor in Rochester. Olson noted these fields are considered baited and off limits to waterfowl hunting. Federal regulations define a baited area “as any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or other feed...

Bring your young hunter to one of Michigan’s Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas (MWHAs) in November for a memorable hunting experience. Hunters can choose from several dates and locations. Parties with at least one youth will be given priority in the draw at all five MWHAs: Nov. 2 – Fish Point State Wildlife Area (p.m. hunt) in Unionville Nov. 2 – Fennville Farm Unit of the Allegan State Game Area (a.m. hunt) in Fennville Nov. 8 – Harsens Island Managed Hunt Area (p.m. hunt) on Harsens Island Nov. 9 – Shiawassee River State Game Area (p.m. hunt) in St. Charles Nov. 10 – Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (a.m. hunt) in Rockwood Fennville Farm and Pointe Mouillee will host their youth hunts in the morning only. Fish Point, Harsens Island and Shiawassee River will host their youth hunts in the afternoon only. Drawings for morning hunts will occur at 5:30 a.m. and for afternoon hunts at 11 a.m. Harsens Island will draw at 11:30 a.m. Youth priority drawings are available for hunting par...

Waterfowl season is well under way, and the Fish Point Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area recently hosted two of the Pure Michigan Hunt (PMH) winners on opening weekend. Jim Bosscher from McBain chose Fish Point for his Pure Michigan waterfowl hunt. The opening morning of waterfowl season, Bosscher and three of his lucky friends got to pick first among the 35 total parties, or approximately 140 people.  PMH winners not only get to hunt at any of Michigan’s first-class managed waterfowl hunt areas, they also get first pick at selecting their hunting area. Normally hunters are entered into a drawing to find out their order for choosing their hunting location. As an added bonus, PMH winners get to bring three friends with them to enjoy their prime hunting location. “We saw hundreds of ducks and geese,” said Bosscher. “We had plenty of shooting and even got some!” Dave Gittins from Kawkawlin hadn’t duck hunted in many years, although that didn’t slow him down. He grabbed some of his close fri...

COLUMBUS, OH –  Crisp fall air and brilliant fall foliage signal the start of Ohio’s world-class hunting seasons and family traditions that can be carried on for generations. Ohio’s young hunters have many opportunities to learn and improve their outdoors skills during several special youth hunting seasons, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). “Ohio offers great hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women of all ages,” said ODNR Director James Zehringer. “Our youth hunts provide parents a chance to share with their children the excitement of their first hunt.” Waterfowl : Hunters age 15 and younger may hunt waterfowl statewide on Oct. 5-6, and they must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years or older (no more than two youths per adult). More details regarding waterfowl zones, bag limits and licensing requirements can be found in the 2013-2014 Ohio Waterfowl Hunting Seasons publication and on the  2013-2014 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons p...

North Dakota's 2013 fall duck flight is expected to be down significantly from last year, but still similar to the good fall flights of 2007-11. Mike Johnson, game management section leader for the State Game and Fish Department, said the fall flight estimate is a combination of the spring breeding duck survey and the summer brood survey. Results from the breeding duck survey in May indicated the duck index was down 17 percent from 2012, but still exceeded the long-term average by 73 percent. May water conditions were up 17 percent from 2012 and 12 percent above the long-term average. The mid-July waterfowl production survey indicated a duck brood index that was down 48 percent from 2012, but still 27 percent above the long-term average. Average brood size was 7.2 ducklings, up 0.3 from last year. The long‑term average is 7.1 ducklings per brood. The water index in mid-July was up 60 percent from last year and 67 percent above the long-term average. T...

During the first and second week of August, Wisconsin waterfowl hunters and anyone else interested in the management of waterfowl in the state, will have an opportunity to provide input. Hearings will be held August 5th-8th where residents can hear what the DNR plans consist of, and to offer suggestions to DNR officials. One of the primary topics of discussion is always seasons.  Citizens can lend their support to the past organization of Wisconsin waterfowl hunting seasons, or offer suggestions for changes.  Also discussed will be bag limits for various species as well as locations for permitted waterfowl hunting. Hunting - Fishing - Camping Information Nationwide Proposals for state seasons are somewhat dictated by USFWS regulatory restrictions.  After those come out, Wisconsin's proposed waterfowl hunting regulations and seasons will be ready for viewing on August 5th.  For more information on these meetings or to look at proposed waterfowl season info ...

Changes proposed by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission would adjust the start date for the September Canada goose hunting season. The proposed change would move the start date from the first Saturday in September to September 1. In addition, the Commission proposed to modify the boundaries of Units 1 and 2 near the Missouri River. Adjusting boundaries will provide future Canada goose hunting opportunities in Tripp County and portions of Charles Mix County (east of Highway 281 and north of Highway 46) by adding these areas to Unit 2. The season would be open from Sept. 1-30 with a daily limit of 15 Canada geese and possession limit of 30. Nonresidents are not allowed to hunt in the counties of Beadle, Brookings, Hanson, Kingsbury, Lake,      Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner and Union. In addition, the Commission finalized the Youth Waterfowl season with no changes and will run Sept. 21-22. This season is open to both resident ...