Fish Point State Game Area Report

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Fish Point State Game Area

Useful Information: Lake Huron Marine Forecast, Saginaw Bay Marine Forecast,
Fish Point Wildlife Association, Sebewaing Bay Cam,
Maps: General Area, Managed Area

Fish Point Area Reporter: Bill Ryan -Has hunted this area for over 30 years, he is also an active member of the Fishpoint Wildlife Association.

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Report	Pictures
Apr -06-08 - Bills Area Update - This was an extra special early morning scouting trip. I have been doing this for a lot of years and I can't ever remember the wildlife being so active. There were many more ducks in the area than last week, no swans were seen so they may have moved on. The Canadian Geese were vi wed in large number and at one time there was what I like to call a goose tornado over the southwest corner of the area. I also seen plenty of deer, Turkey and many different species of shore birds and small mammals, it was a very special morning. I think there will be at least one more good week of waterfowl viewing before the birds move on. I have always found the wildlife to be more active from about 7:30am to 9:00am.	Click images for a larger view
Mar -30-08 - Just a great morning to go out and scout, the weather still is a little cold for this time of year, with some ice still being seen on the Saginaw Bay. Seen a group of about 20 turkeys in one field and all I could see was one tom and he was putting on his show for all the hens. Many, many Canadian Geese with some swans and a few ducks are in the area. Hope to seen more ducks on next weeks trip. Remember the migration can be over as fast as it begins.	Click images for a larger view
Nov -25-07 - Bills Area Update - "NOTE" waterfowl hunting in the southern zone ends December 2nd and reopens for ducks Jan 5th and 6th and runs through February 3rd 2008 for geese. Water conditions remain the same as last week - Cover and crop conditions are still in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4995 ducks and 495 geese. No count this week - but I saw plenty of ducks and geese in the area. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - More water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones with the most being in the north zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry - but some water is starting to enter the field ditches.	Sorry no pictures at this time.
Nov -18-07 - Bills Area Up - Water conditions remain the same as last week - Cover and crop conditions are still in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4662 ducks and 480 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Sundays count was 10,000 ducks and 700 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - More water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones with the most being in the north zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry - but some water is starting to enter the field ditches.	Sorry no pictures at this time.
Nov -10-07 - Bills Area Up - Hunted the area today and the water conditions have improved from last week - Cover and crop conditions are still in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4434 ducks and 468 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Sundays count was 14,800 ducks and 700 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - More water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones with the most being in the north zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry - but some water is starting to enter the field ditches.	Click images for a larger view Zone 9 Water 60's Field Ditch
Nov -04-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area this morning and water conditions remain about the same as last week - some zones have even seen a slight decrease because of evaporation and ground seepage. Cover and crop conditions are still in great shape. This morning I also had the pleasure to go along with area manager Tim Gierman on his weekly bird count. See the pictures to the right and the results below, "Thanks Tim". Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 3928 ducks and 448 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday had slipped to 10,000 ducks and 700 geese. Today's count was 14,800 ducks and 700 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - Some water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry	Click images for a larger view Current Refuge Pictures.
Oct -28-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area this morning and water conditions continue to improve. Cover remains in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 3457 ducks and 400 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday remains at 13,000 ducks and 1000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - Some water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry	Click images for a larger view 60's Remain Dry Zone 1,2 & 3
Oct -21-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area this morning and there is some improvement in the water conditions. Cover remains in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 2831 ducks and 311 geese. The DNR area bird count as of Monday remains at 13,000 ducks and 1000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - Dry Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones on the north end and starting to show in 18. See the picture to the right. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water starting to show in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water, with zone 45 having the least. Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry	Click images for a larger view
Oct -12-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area this morning and all areas remain mostly dry, the DNR pumped yesterday with the strong Northwest winds and some ditches are starting to fill. Cover remains in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 1833 ducks and 233 geese. The DNR area bird count as of Monday was 13,000 ducks and 1000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - The portable tractor pump is running. Mostly dry now. Area 9 thru 13 - Dry Area 14 thru 19 - Mostly dry with some water starting to show at the north end of the area. Pump was running this morning. Area 20 thru 32 - Dry Area 45 thru 49 - Some water in the area. Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry	Click images for a larger view Area 1,2,3 Tractor Pump Area 32
Oct -01-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked all the fields this morning. The cropping has been done and the fields are all ready except for 1,2,3 and I expect this field will be cut this week. Crop conditions as a whole are very good. Very good numbers of geese and ducks were using the area this morning. As most may know the Saginaw Bay has very low water conditions and two field pumps are being replaced. These conditions will cause delays in getting most of the areas flooded until the middle of October. I believe, unless we get a major rain pattern or some very strong north winds it will be very difficult to get any great amount of water in any of the areas this year, I did notice that there was some water on the west side of the area see picture to the right. The DNR flooding forecast that was received by the membership of the Fish Point Wildlife Association is as follows: Zones 1-5 should be flooded mid-late October. Zones 6 and 7 are currently flooded. Zones 9-13 and 64-69 possibly many zones dry all season. Zones 14-19 and 45-49 flooded mid-late October. Zones 50-63 flooded mid November. Zones 20-32 possibly many zones dry all season. The refuge is currently very low and it may be late season or after before much pumping can be done.	Click images for a larger view
Sept -02-07 - Bills Area Update - Visited the area today for a crop tour, for the most part the crops and the area look very good. With the exception of the north end of the 20's, corn at this point is maybe waist high. This is the good news, the bad news is the water situation. The refuge is slowly turning into a mud flat, we will need good fall rains to fill it back up for the migration, because the low water level on the Saginaw Bay will not allow for timely pumping. Everyone can also expect little water in the fields for the duck opener. There was also a few parties of goose hunters set up, but I did not see any birds activity.	Click images for a larger view
Aug -01-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area today and found most of the crops to be in good shape. Ears are stating to form and in some areas the corn is approaching 7 feet tall. In area 1, 2 and 3 the corn is coming along and is about 4 foot high, I did not see any ears yet. The corn at the north end of the 20's is struggling at only maybe 18 to 24 inches high, it may not be mature for opening day therefore limiting cover. All the buckwheat is in excellent shape. For those that have not heard that the DNR is recommending that there be no pre-registered draws for the opener at Fish Point and Nayanquing. If you are planning to hunt either of these areas the DNR is making sure that everyone knows there may be no water in the fields. This is due to a couple of factors #1 - low water levels on Saginaw Bay may effect how much can be pumped, #2 - at Fish Point 2 new pumps are being installed and the completion date may be after the opener.	Click images for a larger view
Jul -06-07 - Bills Area Update - Took a crop tour this morning and it looks like all the fields are planted with corn and buckwheat. The corn in the areas averages from 6 inches on the north end of the 20's to 30 inchs in area 9 to 13. With good weather it looks like the crops for the most part will be good again this year.	Click images for a larger view
Apr -29-07 - Bills Area Update - Fields remain to wet to start working for spring planting. Birds are on their nests so we can expect to start to see little ones within the next couple of weeks. Use please use caution along Ringle Rd during this time of year. I also seen many deer this morning.	Click images for a larger view
Apr -09-07 - Bills Area Update - An early morning scouting trip found more ducks in the area than from my last report in March, waterfowl that that was viewed this morning included Common Mergansers, Coots, Ring Necks, Buffalo Heads, Mallards, Pintails and Canadian Geese. I also seen plenty of deer, and many different species of shore birds and small mammals, it was a very good trip.	Click images for a larger view
Mar -18-07 - What a great morning to go out and scout, the weather could not have been better and the critters were out in number. Seen about 200 deer and 100 turkeys in the fields feeding, the toms were putting on their spring show.The spring waterfowl migration has stated seen a good number of canadian geese and a few ducks. The numbers of birds should pick up over the next couple of weeks. Remember the migration can before as fast as it begins.	Click images for a larger view
Dec -03-06 - Duck Seasons Last Day - Goose season will remain open until 12-12-06.
Nov -25-06 - Bills Area Update - Cover and crops in some areas and zones is very thin. Make sure to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Note: The last draw will be held on 12-03-06 Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-24-06 was 8,320 ducks and 595 geese. The DNR area bird count as of 11-13-06 is 8,000 ducks and geese N/A.
Nov -19-06 - Bills Area Update - Most areas have huntable water conditions. The cover and crops in some areas and zones is very thin. Make sure to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-18-06 was 8,215 ducks and 578 geese. The DNR area bird count as of 11-13-06 is 12,000 ducks and 2000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. More water to the north of the area. Area 9 thru 13 - More water is visible in most of the area but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is at good levels, but cover is thinning. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - More water is visible in the area.	Click images for a larger view 100's of swans are now in the area. Reports continue to find the hunting slow. Birds are heading out of the area in the mornings and evenings.
Nov -13-06 - Bills Area Update - Most areas have huntable water conditions. The DNR continues to run the field pumps when there is enough water in the ditches. The cover and crops in some areas and zones is very thin. Make sure to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-12-06 was 7,884 ducks and 559 geese. The DNR area bird count as of 11-12-06 is 16,000 ducks and 2000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. More water to the north of the area. Area 9 thru 13 - More water is visible in most of the area but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is at good levels, but cover is thinning. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - More water is visible in the area but still requires more.	Click images for a larger view More water in the 60's - Reports that we are getting, continues to find the hunting slow. Birds are heading out of the area in the mornings and evenings.
Nov -05-06 - Bills Area Update - Most areas have huntable water conditions, areas 9 to 13 and the 60's still could use more. The DNR is running the field pumps when there is enough water in the ditches. The cover and crops in some areas and zones is beginning to thin. Make sure to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-04-06 was 7,152ducks and 534 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday remains at 14,500 ducks and 800 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. More water to the north of the area. Area 9 thru 13 - More water is visible in most of the area but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is at good levels, but cover is thinning. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - More water is visible in the area but still requires more.	Field Reporter Paul Smith along with friends Erine Smith and Blue hunted the afternoon hunt on 11-3-06 This is his report - Broke 1/8" to 1/4" ice all the way into field at 1 pm some had thawed by 5:30pm when the 3 of us left. But another night of freezing temps are forecasted. Looks like breakin' ice is in order until he next warm spell. Not a lot of birds flyin' or a lot of shootin' going on. We ended up shooting 3 birds and Tugg (the big dawg) found 2 crips. In a word SLOOOOWWWWW!
Oct -29-06 - Bills Area Update - Hunted Saturday afternoon in the youth hunt. The Muckboy crew took along a local youngster that is interested in getting started in waterfowl hunting. For more details on this hunt go to the muck-boy waterfowl report page. Most areas have huntable water conditions, areas 9 to 13 and the 60's still could use more. The DNR is running the field pumps when there is enough water in the ditches. The cover and crops in some areas and zones is beginning to thin. Make sure to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 10-28-06 was 6,126 ducks and 498 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday remains at 21,000 ducks and 3000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. Area 9 thru 13 - Water is visible in most of the field but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is now visible in all the zones and there is enough water to set decoys. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - Some water in the center of the area is visible but still requires more.	Click images for a larger view Field Reporter Paul Smith sent this picture in of the results of a afternoon hunt that he had with a buddy on 10-25-06
Oct -22-06 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area this morning and water conditions continue to improve and cover is still in good shape. The DNR is running the field pumps when there is enough water in the ditches. Note: Next Saturday 10-28-06 the afternoon hunt will be a youth hunt (ages 10 thru 16) which means your party will only be able to participate in this draw if you have a youth in your party. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4,928 ducks and 459 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday was 21,000 ducks and 3000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - The portable tractor pump continues to run and water continues to rise. Area 9 thru 13 - Water is visible in most of the field. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is now visible in all the zones and there is enough water to set decoys. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - The pockets of water are getting larger. Area 58 thru 63 - Water continues to come up and most zones have enough water to set decoys. Area 64 thru 69 - Some water in the center of the area is visible.	Sorry no pictures at this time.
Oct -15-06 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area this morning and water conditions continue to improve and cover is in good shape. The DNR is running the field pumps when the winds push enough water in to the ditches. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 3,663 ducks and 415 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday was 15,500 ducks and 4000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - The portable tractor pump continues to run and water is starting to show at the north end of the field. Area 9 thru 13 - From the tower some water was visible at the north end. The DNR says water has just started to get into the lower parts of the south end. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water has covered the front row, as with the other fields there is more water at the north end, I did see a canoe being paddled, coming out of the that row. The farther west you go in this field the less water there is. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is visible in the area. Area 50 thru 54 - Some pockets of water can be seen. Area 58 thru 63 - Some water starting to be seen, especially at the north end. Area 64 thru 69 - No water can be seen yet.	Click images for a larger view looking into area 11 water showing in area 2 front row of the 20's has water
Oct -05-06 - Bills Area Update - This weeks rain and wind has helped the water conditions a little allowing the DNR to turn some of the pumps on. Current Conditions: Some water in the north field, not enough to use a boat or canoe yet but the pump for this field was running. There has been water in the field west of the check station, see my last report . The pump for the field behind the check station is running see the picture to the right, but it will be a while before any water gets in the field, ditches are still a little low here. The DNR has the portable tractor pump filling area 1,2 & 3 but no water was yet visible in the fields. There is some water in the 40's see picture to the right. The 60's and 50's had no visible water in the fields. I again noticed many geese in the area, every field had at least a few geese in them. I talked with the DNR and their bird count as of Monday 10-2-06 was 10,500 ducks and 2,500 geese in the area.	Click images for a larger view More Geese in the Area Pumping into the field behind the check station Looking into the 40's
Sept -24-06 - Bills Area Update - Crops continue to be in great shape. The DNR has started to pump water into the drainage ditches and into the teens, they are pumping when conditions are right, this means North East winds are needed to raise the water levels in the drainage ditches which is required for steady pumping to flood the fields. This morning I also noticed that a few more geese have moved into the area since my last update.	Click images for a larger view Looking south into the 20's area Looking into the teen's area Geese moving into the area
Aug -27-06 - Bills Area Update - The crop report could not be better, I checked all the areas today and all the crops are looking great. The corn on an average is a least 7 foot and in some sections may be 8 foot tall. The ears are not huge but are good size and seem to be full see the picture to the right. Where buckwheat has been planted it also is doing good. The DNR has been busy mowing the trails and parking lots. I have been around Fish Point a long time and I can't remember it looking this good for a long time. The DNR and the Fish Point Wildlife Association deserve a lot of Thanks. I for one will take the time to Thank them.	Click image for a larger view
Jul -16-06 Bills Area Update- Crops in all the fields are looking great. Water levels in the refuge and zone 5 are being pumped up whenever the pumps can be ran. The youth-priority draw will be on Oct. 28th - (PM hunt) this year. Phragmites in refuge still looks like its not greening up much.	Click image for larger view Area 25 Area 11
Jun -11-06 Bills Area Update-All crops are in and looking good. At this point, the spraying that was done last fall in the refuge to kill the Phragmites has worked, there is no sign of new growth.
May -14-06 Bills Area Update - Before this weeks rains the fields were starting to be worked. Many goslings can be seen now.
Apr-23-06 Bills Area Update - Geese are on their nests and the little ones will be showing up within the next couple of weeks. Use caution along Ringle Rd during this time of year. Many blue wing teal seen in the area at this time. Fields are starting to dry out and if there are no major rains the planting should start on time.
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