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Donations Will Keep DNR Managed Waterfowl Areas Open This Year
Mary Drier/Mike Kaufman
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:44:30 EDT
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Waterfowl hunting advocates were able to raise $80,000 for four Michigan Department of Natural Resources managed waterfowl areas this fall, including two in the Thumb.
As part of cost saving measures, the DNR announced in July there would be fewer daily draw opportunities for hunters during the 2026 waterfowl seasons.
The grassroots funding provided a temporary, one-time solution, that will allow the state game and wildlife areas of Fish Point in Tuscola County and the Harsens Island Unit at St. Clair Flats in St. Clair County, as well as two other sites, to restore operations to two draws per day, seven days per week for this fall only.
The donations will fund two part-time staff at each of the four impacted managed waterfowl areas.
The waterfowl areas will operate from two weeks prior to the waterfowl opener through Thanksgiving weekend.
The DNR has less funding because of flat or declining license sales revenue, steadily increasing costs due to inflation, and increased and higher cost of repairs.
Less funding means the DNR Wildlife Division restricting hiring, eliminating positions, scaling back routine maintenance, and postponing critical repairs to dams, wetland infrastructure and buildings that directly support hunting access and habitat quality.
