Hailing Michigan Waterfowlers!

[Bmac]

I'm attending the Michigan CWAC (Citizen's Waterfowl Advisory Committee) meeting next weekend. For those that aren't familiar with CWAC, it is a group of about 20 people that represents waterfowlers from across the state and from waterfowl organizations like DU and MDHA. The group provides input to the DNR and makes recommendations on season dates, bag limits, etc. I need input from you on this past season. How you did in your area, what you liked or dis-liked about the dates, anything you can give will help me make an informed report on the 06-07 waterfowl season.

Thanks for your input!

[rueger's upland skeeter]

Good for you Bmac. It is SO important to get feedback from those IN the field with accurate "goings on". This is a really great wildlife management tool. I wish more folks could/ would volunteer their time, counts, ideas for such strategic planning! :cool:

[res]

Bmac,
I am not sure what info you are looking to obtain for certain but I will give you a couple of thoughts. First, for some reason the early goose season basicly was a bust. I saw very few birds and only got one after 3 days of hunting. I do not have any good ideas why they were so scattered but it wasn't nearly as good for me this year. I often hunt the very south border of Mecosta for goose in early season. I have never had a problem finding birds over the past 4 years. Up here close to home (Cadillac area) the geese were tough. I did locate a decent flock that was working a pond in the area. I did not get any this year since I located them late and could not get a boat set up. As for ducks I only did the puddle thing. Over all we did fairly well. I am still learning the sport so that needs to be considered into it. I was able to find quite a few on several ponds right in the vicinity of a larger lake. I did find the hunting pressure to be a bit higher this year. Most of the ducks I encountered were mallards with a good mix of woodies in the the early part of the season. The warm fall kept the woodies in the area a bit longer then normal. That was a pleasant benefit. I shot my final ducks on Nov 11 right after a major snow storm. Found them on a very small pond that had never had a duck on it.
Overall I would rate this past season as good. That may be due to the fact that I am learning the sport or that there were ducks in the area longer. Not real sure. Goose were slow everywhere!!!!!!! Rick

[Lucky Dog]

I would like to either see the season shifted back a week or two or a split in the season. All too often, the big flights of ducks don't show up untill after season closes. A one week split would be nice because it would give a shot at the early ducks like teal and woodies, but still give us half a shot at the late ducks.

I would also like to see the bag limit lowered to 4-5 ducks, 3 mallards. I have no real reason for the reduction other than I think 6 has always been too high.

Thanks,
LD