Waterfowl Hunting Seasons
Last Updated: Spring 2024
Hunting seasons and bag limits
Zone | Species | Season dates | Daily bag limits | Possession limits | Notes |
North Zone | Ducks | Sept. 30 – Nov. 26 and Dec. 2-3 | 6 | 18 | a, b |
North Zone | Coots | Sept. 30 – Nov. 26 and Dec. 2-3 | 15 | 45 | b |
North Zone | Mergansers | Sept. 30 – Nov. 26 and Dec. 2-3 | 5 | 15 | a, b |
North Zone | Dark goose (Canada, brant and white-fronted) | Sept. 1 – Dec. 16 | 5 | 15 | c |
North Zone | Light goose (snow, blue and Ross’s) | Sept. 1 – Dec. 16 | 20 | 60 | |
Middle Zone | Ducks | Oct. 7 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 16-17 | 6 | 18 | a, b |
Middle Zone | Coots | Oct. 7 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 16-17 | 15 | 45 | b |
Middle Zone | Mergansers | Oct. 7 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 16-17 | 5 | 15 | a, b |
Middle Zone | Dark goose (Canada, brant and white-fronted) | Sept. 1-30 and Oct. 7 – Dec. 22 | 5 | 15 | c |
Middle Zone | Light goose (snow, blue and Ross’s) | Sept. 1-30 and Oct. 7 – Dec. 22 | 20 | 60 | |
South Zone | Ducks | Oct. 14 – Dec. 10 and Dec. 30–31 | 6 | 18 | a, b |
South Zone | Coots | Oct. 14 – Dec. 10 and Dec. 30–31 | 15 | 45 | b |
South Zone | Mergansers | Oct. 14 – Dec. 10 and Dec. 30–31 | 5 | 15 | a,b |
South Zone | Dark goose (Canada, brant and white-fronted) | Sept. 1-30, Oct. 14 – Dec. 10, Dec. 30 – Jan. 7 and Feb. 3-12, excluding some GMUs (see South Zone – local goose management units section) | 5 | 15 | c |
South Zone | Light goose (snow, blue and Ross’s) | Sept. 1-30, Oct. 14 – Dec. 10, Dec. 30 – Jan. 7 and Feb. 3-12, excluding some GMUs (see South Zone – local goose management units section) | 20 | 60 | |
Statewide | Early teal | Sept. 1-15 (see Early teal season section) | 6 | 18 | |
Statewide | Wilson’s snipe | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 | 8 | 24 | b |
Statewide | Virginia rail and sora rail | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 | 25 | 75 | b |
Statewide | Common gallinules | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 | 1 | 3 | b |
a. See Possession limits for ducks, mergansers and geese section.
b. See the Veterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days section and Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend section for requirements.
c. The dark goose aggregate daily bag limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is five, only one of which can be a brant. (Note also applies to the South Zone local GMUs. See the South Zone - local goose management units section.)
Daily and possession limits for ducks, mergansers and geese
What is the daily bag limit for ducks and mergansers?
The daily bag limit is six ducks of any species. There may be no more than four mallards (no more than two of which may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, two black ducks, one pintail, and one or two scaup (depending on season date – see table below). In addition to the duck limit, hunters may take five mergansers, only two of which may be hooded mergansers. The possession limit is three times the daily limit for ducks and mergansers. As part of the total daily limit for ducks as described above, the daily limit for scaup for the zones and dates specified is as follows:
Zone | Dates | Daily limit |
North Zone | Sept. 30 – Nov. 13 | No more than 2 scaup |
North Zone | Nov. 14-26 and Dec. 2-3 | No more than 1 scaup |
Middle Zone | Oct. 7-22 | No more than 1 scaup |
Middle Zone | Oct. 23 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 16-17 | No more than 2 scaup |
South Zone | Oct. 14-29 | No more than 1 scaup |
South Zone | Oct. 30 – Dec. 10 and Dec. 30–31 | No more than 2 scaup |
What is the daily bag limit for dark geese?
Canada geese, white-fronted geese (or speckle bellies) and brant are part of a dark goose aggregate daily bag limit. For the entire goose season, the daily bag limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is five in any combination, only one of which can be a brant. The possession limit is three times the daily limit for dark geese.
What is the daily bag limit for light geese?
Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross’s geese are part of a light goose aggregate daily bag limit. For the entire goose season, the daily bag limit for light geese is 20 in any combination. The possession limit is three times the daily limit for light geese.
South Zone – local goose management units
Season dates differ from the South Zone goose season dates listed in the Hunting seasons and bag limits section for Allegan County and Muskegon County Wastewater System goose management units (GMU).
GMU | Species | Season dates | Daily bag limits | Possession limits | Notes |
Allegan County GMU | Dark goose (Canada, brant and white-fronted) | Sept. 1-30, Nov. 4-12, Nov. 25 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 – Feb. 12 | 5 | 15 | c |
Allegan County GMU | Light goose (snow, blueandRoss’s) | Sept. 1-30, Nov. 4-12, Nov. 25 – Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 – Feb. 12 | 20 | 60 | |
Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU | Dark goose (Canada, brant and white-fronted) | Oct. 17 – Dec. 23 | 5 | 15 | c |
Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU | Light goose (snow, blue and Ross’s) | Oct. 17 – Dec. 23 | 20 | 60 |
c. The dark goose aggregate daily bag limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is five, only one of which can be a brant.
Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU
Allegan County GMU
Fennville Farm Unit of the Allegan State Game Area is closed to goose hunting Sept. 1-30, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday andFriday from Dec. 16 – Feb. 12. The Fennville Farm Unit will be open to goose hunting by self-registration Nov. 4-12 and Nov. 25 –Dec. 3; and open by drawings on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from Dec. 16 – Feb. 12. Drawings are held at 5:30 a.m., with hunting permitted from shooting time in the morning until 4 p.m.Leftover zones will be reissued until 11 a.m.
Early teal season
Which species can be hunted during the early teal season?
Only blue-winged and green-winged teal may be hunted during the early teal season. Hunters are strongly encouraged to refresh their duck identification skills for this season. Do not shoot if you are not sure of your target.
When is the early teal season?
The season runs from Sept. 1-15, statewide.
What is the daily bag limit and possession limit during the early teal season?
The daily bag limit is six teal, and the possession limit is 18 teal.
What are some tips for teal hunting?
Here are a few teal hunting tips:
- Decoys will easily attract teal, so use them to bring birds in closer to aid in identification.
- Pass shooting is not recommended.
- Teal prefer shallow waters and areas along shallow margins of ponds and lakes.
- Look for areas with lots of mud flats and sparse vegetation.
- Avoid forested wetlands, where you are likely to encounter wood ducks.
What time of day can I hunt teal?
Teal can be hunted from sunrise to sunset.
Managed waterfowl hunt areas
What is a managed waterfowl hunt area, and where are they located?
Managed waterfowl hunt areas, or Wetland Wonders, offer first-class waterfowl hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas located in southern Michigan. Daily drawings are conducted locally for free hunting-zone permits throughout the season.
What equipment should I bring to a managed waterfowl hunt area?
Use of waders, decoys, calls, retrievers, and small boats and motors is recommended.
Are there special rules at managed waterfowl hunt areas?
Yes. Special rules are enforced, including shell limits, shot size limits, hunting party size, etc. For more information, visit the Michigan Wetland Wonders page.
Are managed waterfowl hunt area drawings ever canceled?
Normal managed-area drawings may be canceled late in the season if extreme weather results in low hunter participation. Area managers will post amended check-station hunting rules a minimum of two days prior to any changes. Late in the season, hunters may wish to call area headquarters to verify that drawings will be held.
Do managed waterfowl hunt areas hold waterfowl reserved hunts?
Yes. Some hunts during the opening weekend of duck season are by reservation; see the 2023 reserved waterfowl hunt choices section for application information.
Area, county and nearest town | Phone | Youth hunting dates | Drawing dates and times |
Fennville Farm (Allegan County, Fennville) | 269-561-2258 | Dec. 16 (a.m.) nonreserved Dec. 30 (a.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 16 – Feb. 12. Drawing at 5:30 a.m. Leftover zones will be reissued until 11 a.m. Permits valid until 4 p.m. Afternoon hunts: No afternoon draws. Closed: Closed for goose hunting Sept. 1-30. No drawings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Dec. 16 – Feb. 12. Self-registration available for goose hunting outside of drawing dates from Nov. 4-12 and Nov. 25 –Dec. 3 at the Fennville Farm Unit office. Self-registration available for duck hunting outside of drawing dates at the Fennville Farm Unit office during South Zone duck season. |
Fish Point (Tuscola County, Unionville) | 989-674-2511 | Oct. 7 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 4 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) |
Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (Muskegon County, Twin Lake) | 231-788-5055 Call for opening dates | Oct. 28 (a.m. and p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Tuesdays and Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. Afternoon hunts: Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Hunts continue through November; no longer closed Nov. 15-30. Permits for Tuesday morning drawings are valid until close of shooting hours. |
Nayanquing Point (Bay County, Linwood) | 989-697-5101 | Oct. 7 (p.m.) reserved Oct. 28 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) |
Pointe Mouillee (Wayne County, Rockwood) | 734-379-9692 | Oct. 14 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 5 (a.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Sundays,Thursdays and Oct. 14 at 5:30 a.m.(Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Sundays, Tuesdays and Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Permits for Thursday morning drawings are valid until close of shooting hours. |
Shiawassee River (Saginaw County, St. Charles) | 989-865-6211 | Oct. 14 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 4 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) |
St. Clair Flats(Harsens Island, St.Clair County, Algonac) | 810-748-9504 | Oct. 14 (p.m.) reserved Nov. 3 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt first and second weekend of duck season.) |
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (Saginaw County, Saginaw) | 989-777-5930 | Oct. 28 (a.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:30 a.m. Afternoon hunts: Thursdays at noon Note: Please go to the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge page prior to your hunt to see updates and refuge-specific regulations. There will not be a reserved hunt at Shiawassee NWR for the 2023 season. |
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend
When is the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend?
The Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be Sept. 16-17, statewide, for properly licensed youth 16 years old and younger.
Which licenses do I need to hunt the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend?
You will need a base license, an apprentice base license or a mentored youth license. If you are 16 years old, you also need to have a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.
I am a youth waterfowl hunter under 16 years old. Do I have to hunt with an adult?
Yes. If you are 10-16 years old, you must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone 18 years old or older designated by your parent or guardian. If you are under 10 years old, you must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older, and the adult must meet all the provisions of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.
I am a youth waterfowl hunter hunting with an apprentice license. Do I have to hunt with an adult?
Yes. Youth who are hunting with a base apprentice license must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older who has a nonapprentice base license and a waterfowl license.
What can I hunt during the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend?
Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and common gallinules may be harvested; accompanying adults are not permitted to harvestthese species during the hunt unless hunting during the September portion of the Canada goose hunting season. The daily limits and species restrictions are the same as those allowed in the regular waterfowl hunting season.
When will these days take place?
The Veterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days will take place statewide Sept. 16-17, concurrentlywith the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend.
What documentation do I need to hunt?
Participating veterans and active-duty U.S military personnel are required to have documentation afield and must present it upon request of a Michigan conservation officer, tribal conservation officer or any law enforcement officer. The following documentation will be accepted as proof of status: military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, copy of DD Form 214, enhanced driver’s license or documentation from the Veterans Administration regarding disability status.
Which licenses do I need to hunt?
You must have a base license, a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.
What can I hunt during the Veterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days?
Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and common gallinules may be harvested. The daily limits and species restrictions are the same as those allowed in the regular waterfowl hunting season.
When will these drawings take place?
Veterans preference drawings at the following managed waterfowl areas will take place Nov. 9 or Nov. 11, for properly licensed, resident, active-duty U.S. military personnel and veterans. There will not be a veterans preference drawing at Fennville Farmor Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
- Fish Point – Nov. 11.
- Harsens Island – Nov. 11.
- Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center – Nov. 11.
- Nayanquing Point – Nov. 11.
- Pointe Mouillee – Nov. 9.
- Shiawassee River – Nov. 11.
What documentation do I need to hunt during the veterans preference drawings?
The following documentation, along with a valid Michigan driver’s license or voter registration card, will be accepted as proof of status: military ID, leave papers, duty papers, military orders, copy of DD Form 214, enhanced driver’s license or documentationfrom the Veterans Administration regarding disability status. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force National Guard, youmay provide a copy of NGB Form 22 or NGB Form 23.
Which licenses do I need for the veterans preference drawings?
You need a base license, a waterfowl license and a federal duck stamp.
Which parties will be eligible for the veterans preference drawing?
To be eligible for the veterans preference drawings, single hunters must be active- duty military personnel or veterans; party huntersmust have at least one member in their party who is active-duty military or a veteran.
