Manager's Updates - State of Michigan

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