Manager's Updates - State of Michigan

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Fennville Farm Unit Manager’s Update 2013 Season - Week of 10/20 Weather Approximately 3” of rain has fallen over the past week, according to the gauge at the Farm Unit. The rain has helped get some standing water in the Farm impoundments. The weather is sure to push some ducks around. Waterfowl Abundance Goose numbers have increased, probably due to the inclement weather and fields continuing to open up. Wood duck numbers have begun to deplete. Mallard numbers are on the increase with fresh birds showing up at the Farm and Highbanks. They are hitting the smartweed in the Highbanks and starting to feed in some fields on the Farm. Hunting Conditions Crops are looking nice this year and there will be plenty of winter food for the waterfowl on the Farm Unit. The corn hunting strips are looking much better than last year’s drought-stricken stands and hunters should be able to conceal themselves quite well. So far, the lack of rain has prevented us from filling the Zone 7 impoundment but the other Area impoundments are at appropriate levels. Sharecroppers have been harvesting beans as the fields come ready so they will be disking rye in those fields shortly. Hunter Numbers Sounds like we were crawling with pheasant hunters on Sunday for the opener. Success was reported to be good. Duck hunts have been successful as well, according to word of mouth. Waterfowl Harvest Sounds like the harvest is about average at this point. What To Expect This Week Sounds like we may have some rain events coming through this week with snow possibly mixed in. This should get some more ducks into the refuge which would help hunter success. Upcoming Events The Fennville Farm Unit will be open for duck season. All duck hunting is first-come, first-served until November 2nd, when the Allegan Goose Management Unit season opens. November 2nd will be the AM Youth Hunt at the Fennville Farm Unit. The Farm will be open to youth hunters only in all zones. November 3rd will be the regular opener for all hunters. Trapping on the Farm Unit is by permit only. We are trying to continue allowing trapping while preventing negative impacts to our primary function: waterfowl hunting. You may contact the ASGA HQ or Farm Unit to get the permit.
Fennville Farm Unit Manager’s Update 2013 Season - Week of 10/27 Weather The last week has been very wet with 4” at least of heavy, wet snow falling. Monday and Tuesday have been nice weather with milder temperatures. Waterfowl Abundance Goose numbers have remained constant but they are widely spread across the GMU and have not fully congregated at the Farm as of yet. There are some snows mixed in but in low numbers. Wood ducks appear to have mostly left the area, probably during the snowstorm. Mallard numbers are on the increase with fresh birds showing up at the Farm and Highbanks. They are hitting the smartweed in the Highbanks and starting to feed in some fields on the Farm. Hunting pressure on the ducks is still high enough that they are becoming educated quickly but some good hunts have been reported on the Farm and Ottawa Marsh. Hunting Conditions Zone 7 is filled to the maximum allowed by the dikes. We are looking forward to repairing the dikes next summer so that we can flood more of 7A, B, and C. With the nice weather during the beginning of this week the sharecroppers have been in the fields all over, trying desperately to get the beans off before the upcoming rain. This has delayed the rye planting so some fields may not green up as much as desired before the winter hits. Hunter Numbers Duck hunters have been consistent but not in high numbers – 4-8 parties or so in the morning (first-come, first-served). Fewer pheasant hunters are hitting the area and success appears to be down. The snow last week really flattened some of the habitat but it appears to be rebounding. Waterfowl Harvest Sounds like the harvest is about average at this point. What To Expect This Week The managed goose hunt begins this Saturday, November 2, with the YOUTH HUNT. Only youth hunters may shoot. The managed hunt opens for adults on Sunday, November 3. Upcoming Events The Fennville Farm Unit will be open for duck season. All duck hunting is first-come, first-served until November 2nd, when the Allegan Goose Management Unit season opens. November 2nd will be the AM Youth Hunt at the Fennville Farm Unit. The Farm will be open to youth hunters only in all zones. November 3rd will be the regular opener for all hunters.
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Manager's Updates - State of Michigan

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