Migration Alert: Michigan Waterfowl Numbers Strong, Weather Uncooperative

Michigan waterfowlers started the season off with a bang, but hunting success has tapered off for many as balmy weather continues. This goes for the entire state, including the Upper Peninsula, where it’s not unusual to see ice on shallower waters by this time of year.

But the news isn’t all bad. Most state and federal waterfowl areas are holding fair numbers of ducks. The birds just haven’t been moving much.

“We’ve had record high temps,” says Joe Robison, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) southeast wildlife supervisor. Robison is based in the heavily used waterfowl migration corridor where the Detroit River flows into Lake Erie. “There are lots of ducks around but no weather to move them. They leave early and come back late.”

The action has been so slow that some waterfowl guides have postponed scheduled trips. Even calendar ducks such as redheads and canvasbacks have been content to loaf offshore on big waters. On a positive note, drought-plagued southwestern Michigan has received much-needed precipitation.

“Conditions are improving across the area with recent rains, but many of the potholes and seasonal wetlands remain dry,” says Mike Richardson, MDNR wildlife technician based at Allegan State Game Area. “New birds have moved in with the last cold front, and geese are plentiful. Mallards are still low in numbers, but there are some fresh birds around, and we’ve seen more gadwalls, wigeon, pintails, and black ducks lately. Wood ducks are still here, although they are slowly moving out. Ring-necked ducks are here in good numbers as well.”

Two bright spots are the St. Mary’s River system in the eastern Upper Peninsula and Saginaw Bay. “In mid-October hunters were harvesting a lot of redheads and cans on certain parts of Saginaw Bay, but people have been wondering where the bluebills are,” says diving duck specialist Ryan Soulard. “It sounds like there are a lot of bluebills in the western basin of Lake Erie. The long-tailed ducks are on Saginaw Bay in good numbers. Find deeper water offshore, and you’ll find the big drakes.”

For the latest reports on waterfowl numbers and hunting success on public waterfowl hunting areas in Michigan, visit the MDNR website: Wetland Wonders.