DNR Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas to host open houses
Hunters can get information on this year's Wetland Wonders Challenge

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced yesterday that its Managed Waterfowl Hunting Areas will host open houses in September and October to celebrate the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy and provide driving tours of each of the areas.

The Michigan Waterfowl Legacy - which kicked off Sept. 8, 2012 - is a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan's waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting community. The initiative is a "call to action" to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow.

The DNR invites the public and hunters to join staff at various Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas to tour the areas and learn about each one's possibilities for hunting and other recreation.

Open houses will be held at the following locations:

• Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County) - Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.
  
• Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County) - Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.
  
• Crow Island State Game Area (Saginaw County) - Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.
  
• Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County) - Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.
  
• Harsens Island MWHA at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area (St. Clair County) - Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
  
• Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe/Wayne counties) - Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

"The open houses will provide an opportunity for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to learn about the areas and interact directly with DNR personnel," said Joe Robison, wildlife biologist supervisor for the DNR. "These areas offer first-class waterfowl hunting opportunities and various recreational activities that many outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy."

Guided tours will include observation of habitat improvements conducted to provide optimal habitat for waterfowl plus other wildlife management techniques that make these areas attractive to a host of wildlife, especially waterfowl.

Additionally, the public can learn about the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy, a program intended to improve conditions for waterfowl and people who enjoy interacting with them. Waterfowl hunters will learn about how each area is run and what to expect when they come in for a hunt drawing, along with other areas nearby that are open to hunting, and visitors will have a chance to have questions answered during a Q&A period.

Each open house will also feature information on this year's Wetland Wonders Challenge, a hunting contest developed by the DNR to highlight the exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities available to the public at these Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas. The challenge will run Oct. 11 to Jan. 31. Seven winners will be chosen Feb. 9. To be entered for the drawing, hunters must hunt at three of the seven Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas.

More information about the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy can be found at www.michigan.gov/mwl and information on the hunt areas and the Wetland Wonders Challenge can be found at www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Contact: Holly Vaughn, 313-396-6863 or Joseph Robison, 734-379-9692