[JSchipper]

There's generally DNR Waterfowl Digests at the counter at Walmart or Meijer... At least they were in the past. Guessing these guys are buying licenses in stores rather than online so there really shouldn't be that much of an excuse IMO...

 

[kzoofisher]

Just a sign that nobody really cares anymore. How hard is it really? Season dates change a bit every year. Its not like you haven't always had to check to verify when season opens.

Lack of care? selfishness? I can't quite put my finger on it but its everywhere. Doesnt matter where ya go or what your doing.

I check the book every year for three things minimum: dates, times and limits. Maybe these guys learned what they learned once upon a time and are still counting points.

 

[GRUNDY]

Its not confusing. In fact with an 8th grade education its actually quite simple really. That is, if you care enough to want to know.

As time goes by, I become more embarrassed to consider myself among the rank of hunter for reasons such as this.

 

[JeffroSoup]

I live in Zilwaukee near the Crow Island marsh. I can say that last weekend on Sunday I saw multiple guys pulling duck boats around town. Now they could be getting home from hunting the mid zone like myself but it was honestly odd to see 3-4 different duck rigs around town mid day. Never went and checked the marsh or the launches to see but I'm sure there was some confusion. My son said he heard shots Saturday and typically we can from my house, but then again could be target practice. 🤔 😒

 

[BumpRacerX]

Good luck to those of you that waited for the actual opening day.

For those of you that didn't, you can post your pile pictures from last weekend tomorrow 🤣

 

[Tron322]

We have had seasons change by a week plenty of times. The thing that is different this year is they didnt open the UP, middle zone and then south zone consecutively. They opened the UP then had a two week break until the middle zone opened. That has thrown people off.

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Threw me off this year, I noticed the thread in here about the UP opener and when I didn't see or hear anything about the middle zone the following week I checked the regs.

I am very used to the consecutive openers three weeks in a row. I thought maybe they started skipping a week between the UP and the Lower when I was having some health issues a couple years ago amd I just forgot.

Got a lot of chores half done that day and missed the middle opener last weekend catching up, LOL.

Got out Tuesday finally and only saw four mallards.

 

[VetHuntRookie]

I was able to find some non toxic shot so I get to try duck hunting for the first time tomorrow.


- VHR

 

[KJW1992]

Couple years ago my dad and I were bow hunting on November 14 and a guy shot a deer with a rifle not 50 yards away from where my dad was sitting. Full blaze orange bibs, parka, hat. Walked right out into the field to get his deer.

Opening day of rifle season in Michigan hasn't changed in far longer than I've been alive. I don't understand how people screw stuff like that up.

 

[Chessieman]

Go out in the country on the 14th and listen to how many Pheasants are being shot at dusk!

 

[Ken Martin]

There won't be consecutive openers for 2023 and 2024 either.

 

[flighthunter]

Go out in the country on the 14th and listen to how many Pheasants are being shot at dusk!

That’s the best time to sight in, realistic conditions.

 

[timj]

Go out in the country on the 14th and listen to how many Pheasants are being shot at dusk!

It's not just on the14th either. They just drag them into their barns, pole buildings or what have you, and cut them up. I'm always astounded when I start hearing the shots picking up as we get into October. I'm 62, been hunting since 18 and this has always been a problem.

 

[zoombaiter25]

For those complaining about old boys not using the web is a complete joke. My 75yo father uses the internet so they can too. There should be no excuse for not being able to look up hunting regulations in the 21st century. Paper is the past. Get on the DNR email list, download the guide every year like the rest of us, or screenshot on your phone, or print out the shooting tables if people have to have a paper copy. Rant complete

 

[eye-sore]

I don’t think people who are saying that it’s confusing are justifying the violation. It makes zero sense how they ran the season dates this year

 

[SEMichiiganConservation]

For those complaining about old boys not using the web is a complete joke. My 75yo father uses the internet so they can too. There should be no excuse for not being able to look up hunting regulations in the 21st century. Paper is the past. Get on the DNR email list, download the guide every year like the rest of us, or screenshot on your phone, or print out the shooting tables if people have to have a paper copy. Rant complete

It was people your dads age, and older, that invented computers. It's in no way surprising that he can use one. Many of us who are his age have been operating them for 50 years, or more.

 

[ajkulish]

I don’t think people who are saying that it’s confusing are justifying the violation. It makes zero sense how they ran the season dates this year

What doesnt make sense about it? The collective majority of us wanted a later season and got it.

 

[eye-sore]

We will see how that worked out come last 2 weeks of season

 

[ajkulish]

Probably pretty well! if you utilize the UP opener we get an extra week of season! I have been able to successfully hunt water on all of the "last days" in recent years, as well as the late split. I am sure this will work for the best. I also don't feel like I missed out on anything the week before season this year, weather was still pretty nice.

 

[Blacklabsmatter]

Probably pretty well! if you utilize the UP opener we get an extra week of season! I have been able to successfully hunt water on all of the "last days" in recent years, as well as the late split. I am sure this will work for the best. I also don't feel like I missed out on anything the week before season this year, weather was still pretty nice.

When I was out for early teal/goose there were a lot of woodies around. When I was out for youth hunt there were tons of woodies around again. The extra week off let a lot of those birds move south before being hunted. I feel like I missed out on the normal local woodies I usually shoot because of the late start. I’m not complaining too much because zone 3 has been on fire since it opened. I do feel like we missed out on a really productive week of hunting with the late start though. Hopefully we will be able to hunt open water the last week of the season.


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[ajkulish]

When I was out for early teal/goose there were a lot of woodies around. When I was out for youth hunt there were tons of woodies around again. The extra week off let a lot of those birds move south before being hunted. I feel like I missed out on the normal local woodies I usually shoot because of the late start. I’m not complaining too much because zone 3 has been on fire since it opened. I do feel like we missed out on a really productive week of hunting with the late start though. Hopefully we will be able to hunt open water the last week of the season.


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I agree, I havent shot at many wood ducks this year either. Maybe cancelling the youth hunt would pressure them to leave less, and do more good for the majority

But you are right, it has been a hot start for us down here on mostly everything else, can only hope the weather this year is like the last few.