MICHIGAN · DUCKS & WATERFOWL · 2026–27
Michigan ducks & waterfowl
season dates.
North, Middle and South zones, special goose areas, scaup changes, September teal and youth/military dates from the current DNR guide.
DUCKS, GEESE & SPECIAL DAYS
Zone dates, split seasons & shared bags
North, Middle and South waterfowl zones use different dates and road/creek boundaries. Special Allegan and Muskegon goose GMUs replace the ordinary South Zone goose schedule. Ducks, coots and mergansers use the zone duck dates; scaup limits change within those dates. The tables keep every split separate.
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone ducks · 2 scaup sublimitOpen now · through Nov. 9Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 26 – Nov. 9, 2026 | North waterfowl zone; special areas retain access restrictions. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. 2 scaup within the combined daily bag.source · source |
| North Zone ducks · 1 scaup sublimitOpens Nov. 10 (in 6 days)Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Nov. 10 – Nov. 22, 2026 Nov. 28 – Nov. 29, 2026 | North waterfowl zone; special areas retain access restrictions. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. 1 scaup within the combined daily bag.source · source |
| North Zone · CootOpen now · through Nov. 22Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 26 – Nov. 22, 2026 Nov. 28 – Nov. 29, 2026 | North waterfowl zone. Current base or qualifying short-term nonresident license and HIP required. The DNR explicitly exempts coot hunting from both the Michigan waterfowl license and the federal duck stamp. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 15 daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| North Zone · MergansersOpen now · through Nov. 22Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 26 – Nov. 22, 2026 Nov. 28 – Nov. 29, 2026 | North waterfowl zone. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded; 15 possession.source · source |
| Middle Zone ducks · 1 scaup sublimitClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 3 – Oct. 18, 2026 | Middle waterfowl zone; special areas retain access restrictions. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. 1 scaup within the combined daily bag.source · source |
| Middle Zone ducks · 2 scaup sublimitOpen now · through Nov. 29Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 19 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12 – Dec. 13, 2026 | Middle waterfowl zone; special areas retain access restrictions. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. 2 scaup within the combined daily bag.source · source |
| Middle Zone · CootOpen now · through Nov. 29Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 3 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12 – Dec. 13, 2026 | Middle waterfowl zone. Current base or qualifying short-term nonresident license and HIP required. The DNR explicitly exempts coot hunting from both the Michigan waterfowl license and the federal duck stamp. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 15 daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| Middle Zone · MergansersOpen now · through Nov. 29Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 3 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12 – Dec. 13, 2026 | Middle waterfowl zone. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded; 15 possession.source · source |
| South Zone ducks · 1 scaup sublimitClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 17 – Nov. 1, 2026 | South waterfowl zone; special areas retain access restrictions. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. 1 scaup within the combined daily bag.source · source |
| South Zone ducks · 2 scaup sublimitOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Nov. 2 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 26 – Dec. 27, 2026 | South waterfowl zone; special areas retain access restrictions. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. 2 scaup within the combined daily bag.source · source |
| South Zone · CootOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 17 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 26 – Dec. 27, 2026 | South waterfowl zone. Current base or qualifying short-term nonresident license and HIP required. The DNR explicitly exempts coot hunting from both the Michigan waterfowl license and the federal duck stamp. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 15 daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| South Zone · MergansersOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 17 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 26 – Dec. 27, 2026 | South waterfowl zone. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded; 15 possession.source · source |
| North Zone · Dark geeseOpen now · through Dec. 16Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Dec. 16, 2026 | North waterfowl zone; South excludes Allegan and Muskegon Wastewater goose GMUs. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily combined Canada, white-fronted and brant, at most 1 brant; 15 possession.source · source |
| North Zone · Light geeseOpen now · through Dec. 16Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Dec. 16, 2026 | North waterfowl zone; South excludes Allegan and Muskegon Wastewater goose GMUs. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 20 daily combined snow/blue-phase snow and Ross’s; 60 possession.source · source |
| Middle Zone · Dark geeseOpen now · through Dec. 18Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 3 – Dec. 18, 2026 | Middle waterfowl zone; South excludes Allegan and Muskegon Wastewater goose GMUs. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily combined Canada, white-fronted and brant, at most 1 brant; 15 possession.source · source |
| Middle Zone · Light geeseOpen now · through Dec. 18Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 3 – Dec. 18, 2026 | Middle waterfowl zone; South excludes Allegan and Muskegon Wastewater goose GMUs. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 20 daily combined snow/blue-phase snow and Ross’s; 60 possession.source · source |
| South Zone · Dark geeseOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 17 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 26, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 Feb. 6 – Feb. 15, 2027 | South waterfowl zone; South excludes Allegan and Muskegon Wastewater goose GMUs. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily combined Canada, white-fronted and brant, at most 1 brant; 15 possession.source · source |
| South Zone · Light geeseOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 17 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 26, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 Feb. 6 – Feb. 15, 2027 | South waterfowl zone; South excludes Allegan and Muskegon Wastewater goose GMUs. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 20 daily combined snow/blue-phase snow and Ross’s; 60 possession.source · source |
| Allegan GMU · Dark geeseOpen now · through Nov. 4Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 17 – Nov. 4, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 | Allegan goose GMU outside Fennville Farm Unit. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 5 daily combined Canada, white-fronted and brant, at most 1 brant; 15 possession.source · source |
| Fennville Farm Unit · Dark geeseCheck Michigan DNRLegal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 17 – Nov. 4, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 | Fennville Farm Unit of Allegan GMU only. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Sept. 1–30 and Oct. 19–Nov. 4 use self-registration; Oct. 17–18 drawings. Dec. 19–Feb. 14 open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday only; closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Drawings 5:30 a.m.; hunting closes 4:30 p.m. Broad date spans here are reference windows, not daily access. | 5 daily combined Canada, white-fronted and brant, at most 1 brant; 15 possession.source · source |
| Allegan GMU · Light geeseOpen now · through Nov. 4Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 17 – Nov. 4, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 | Allegan goose GMU outside Fennville Farm Unit. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 20 daily combined snow/blue-phase snow and Ross’s; 60 possession.source · source |
| Fennville Farm Unit · Light geeseCheck Michigan DNRLegal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026 Oct. 17 – Nov. 4, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 | Fennville Farm Unit of Allegan GMU only. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Sept. 1–30 and Oct. 19–Nov. 4 use self-registration; Oct. 17–18 drawings. Dec. 19–Feb. 14 open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday only; closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Drawings 5:30 a.m.; hunting closes 4:30 p.m. Broad date spans here are reference windows, not daily access. | 20 daily combined snow/blue-phase snow and Ross’s; 60 possession.source · source |
| Muskegon GMU · Dark geeseOpen now · through Dec. 19Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 20 – Dec. 19, 2026 | Muskegon Wastewater GMU. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Muskegon Wastewater drawings normally Tuesday morning, Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning/afternoon; check manager updates. | 5 daily combined Canada, white-fronted and brant, at most 1 brant; 15 possession.source · source |
| Muskegon GMU · Light geeseOpen now · through Dec. 19Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Oct. 20 – Dec. 19, 2026 | Muskegon Wastewater GMU. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Muskegon Wastewater drawings normally Tuesday morning, Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning/afternoon; check manager updates. | 20 daily combined snow/blue-phase snow and Ross’s; 60 possession.source · source |
| Early teal · statewideClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 1 – Sept. 9, 2026 | Open waterfowl lands statewide. Base/appropriate short-term nonresident license, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and federal duck stamp at age 16+ required; youth/mentored endorsements differ. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Early teal is sunrise to sunset, not the regular half-hour-before-sunrise start; no other ducks. | 6 blue-winged/green-winged teal daily; 18 possession.source · source |
| Youth 16 and younger waterfowl weekendClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 19 – Sept. 20, 2026 | Open waterfowl lands statewide; special-area access still applies. For ducks/mergansers, the Michigan waterfowl license and federal duck stamp are required at age 16+; younger youth/mentored endorsements differ. Coot hunting does not require those two stamps/licenses; confirm species-specific gallinule requirements and retain HIP. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Youth ages 10–16 need an accompanying adult 18+; mentored hunters need a qualified mentor 21+. Age 16 requires Michigan waterfowl license and federal duck stamp; younger youth require the migratory bird youth endorsement/HIP. Accompanying adults cannot take these birds unless independently qualified; ordinary September goose privileges remain separate. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. Mergansers 5 (at most 2 hooded); coot 15; common gallinule 1. Species possession limits apply. Confirm special-day scaup restrictions with DNR.source · source |
| Veteran / active-duty military waterfowl weekendClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl shotgun; non-toxic shot | Sept. 19 – Sept. 20, 2026 | Open waterfowl lands statewide; special-area access still applies. For ducks/mergansers, the Michigan waterfowl license and federal duck stamp are required at age 16+; younger youth/mentored endorsements differ. Coot hunting does not require those two stamps/licenses; confirm species-specific gallinule requirements and retain HIP. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. Carry accepted veteran/active-duty status documentation. Military eligibility does not waive licenses or stamps. | 6 ducks daily combined; at most 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks and 3 pintails. Possession 18. Mergansers 5 (at most 2 hooded); coot 15; common gallinule 1. Species possession limits apply. Confirm special-day scaup restrictions with DNR.source · source |
| Common gallinuleOpen now · through Nov. 9Legal migratory-bird equipment; species rules apply | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. Have current base or qualifying short-term nonresident privileges and HIP; confirm the species-specific state-license and federal-stamp requirements for gallinules with DNR. Use legal plugged shotgun and federally approved non-toxic shot. Regular hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Managed areas, refuges, Great Lakes waters and special goose GMUs have additional access, drawing and local restrictions. A county does not locate the road/creek boundary. Do not add species sublimits to the combined daily bag. | 1 daily; 3 possession.source · source |
SPECIAL GOOSE AREAS
Fennville and Muskegon access
Fennville Farm Unit is closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during its Dec. 19–Feb. 14 reference period; Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday hunts use drawings and close at 4:30 p.m. September and Oct. 19–Nov. 4 use self-registration; Oct. 17–18 use drawings. Muskegon Wastewater hunts use scheduled drawings and manager updates. A broad reference span does not establish daily access, so these entries cannot generate automatic calendars.
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 waterfowl regulations, zones and goose units ↗; Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter XII: deer, turkey, goose and upland units ↗
BEFORE YOU GO
Licenses, equipment & access
For ducks, mergansers and geese, confirm base or qualifying short-term nonresident privileges, Michigan waterfowl license/HIP and a federal duck stamp at age 16+. Coot, rail, snipe and woodcock are exempt from the state waterfowl license and federal duck stamp; current base/qualifying small-game and HIP requirements still apply. Confirm gallinule licensing with DNR. Under-16 youth use the appropriate endorsement; age 16 has the adult waterfowl/stamp requirements. Use federally approved non-toxic shot and a legal plugged shotgun. Early teal starts at sunrise; regular waterfowl is half an hour before sunrise to sunset. Duck sublimits share one combined daily bag.
Youth and mentored hunters have age, license and adult-supervision requirements. A calendar match does not establish permission or possession of the correct license. Confirm the exact WMA, managed area, park, refuge, military property or island before hunting.
Source: Michigan DNR: 2026 waterfowl regulations, zones and goose units ↗; Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter III: species seasons, limits and licenses ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Prepare for your hunt
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Reviewed for this season
We compare the current Michigan DNR species guides, maps and Wildlife Conservation Order. Only published dates are listed. Saved calendars and printouts do not update automatically; sources are reviewed weekly before editorial changes are published.
- Michigan DNR: 2026 waterfowl regulations, zones and goose units ↗
- Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter I: hunting and waterfowl zones ↗
- Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter III: species seasons, limits and licenses ↗
- Wildlife Conservation Order Chapter XII: deer, turkey, goose and upland units ↗
Last checked: Nov. 2, 2026. Report a change.