Manager's Updates - State of Michigan
Manager's Updates - State of Michigan
Manager's Updates - State of Michigan
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Fennville Farm Unit Manager’s Update<br />
2013 Season - Week <strong>of</strong> 11/03<br />
Weather<br />
Well, we’ve had a fair bit <strong>of</strong> rain over the last week and a ½ but it seems to have helped the hunt by<br />
moving the birds around. Looks like we have some clear weather for a few days, possible snow, and<br />
rain in the forecast.<br />
Waterfowl Abundance<br />
As with last week, goose numbers have remained constant but they are widely spread across the<br />
GMU and have not fully congregated at the Farm refuge. There are some snows mixed in but in low<br />
numbers. I’ve had some reports <strong>of</strong> new birds in the area and heading south toward the area so I<br />
expect estimates to rise over the next couple weeks. Even though the numbers aren’t as high as one<br />
would like we are still seeing a decent harvest rate because the birds that are here aren’t fully educated<br />
and they have been moving on and <strong>of</strong>f the Farm giving hunters a shot as they come and go.<br />
I have had multiple reports <strong>of</strong> new ducks. Lots <strong>of</strong> orange feet on greenheads and other various<br />
species that we don’t normally hold in high numbers have been reported (gadwall, widgeon, pintail,<br />
shoveler). The duck numbers have been increasing.<br />
Hunting Conditions<br />
The fields and drives are wet so be aware as you go out to your zone. Otherwise, conditions are<br />
good at all the posts. Do not drive down to 7D – very wet – one hunter buried his truck down there on<br />
Sunday and had to get a tow truck.<br />
Hunter Numbers<br />
There were 25 youth hunters on Youth Day and they harvested 16 birds. I saw quite a few happy<br />
faces.<br />
Hunter numbers have been average for weekdays and probably we were a little lower than normal for<br />
opening day for the adults (we had 59 parties Sunday, 12 Monday, 24 Tuesday for the afternoon, and<br />
12 Wednesday). As <strong>of</strong> noon yesterday we had harvested 79 geese and 8 ducks through the hunt<br />
(remember that duck hunters that come in 1st come – 1st served do not have to report ducks, you<br />
can hunt ducks 1st come – 1st served in any zone on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun. after 3:00 pm).<br />
We are already on pace to have a better hunt than last year – the best hunting days <strong>of</strong> the year are<br />
yet to come.<br />
Waterfowl Harvest<br />
Sounds like the harvest is about average at this point: 79 birds. So we are probably averaging about<br />
3 birds for every 10 hunter trips (the long term average is about 2.5 birds per 10 hunter trips).<br />
What To Expect This Week<br />
Nothing out <strong>of</strong> the ordinary, just come and hunt. We may have trappers trying to enter zones on Nov.<br />
10 so help spread the word that trapping for muskrats, mink, and raccoons is closed on the Farm Unit<br />
during the managed hunt.