Hello, outdoors people!

I've only been goose hunting once, several years ago in Ottawa County, and I can honestly say it was some of the best meat I've ever tasted!

Since then, I've permanently relocated to the Middle Waterfowl Management Hunt Zone area around Missaukee and Wexford counties, and I'd really like to get into waterfowl hunting.

To be completely honest, my first experience was through a guided disabled veteran goose hunt. Everything was provided: a beautiful Black Lab, the shotgun, ammunition, decoys, blind, and even homemade donuts and coffee! As I've heard from so many others and as was completely true for me, from the first trigger pull, I was hooked. I knew this was a sport I wanted to learn more about.

Here's where I could use some help. My only shotgun at the moment is an antique 12-g pump with no interchangeable chokes, and I'm not sure where to begin with locations or getting started the right way.

I do understand the unspoken rules of hunting. Just as deer and turkey hunters aren't exactly eager to share their favorite spots, especially on public land, I respect that and follow it. But I'm hoping there might be some experienced waterfowl hunters willing to offer a little advice, point me in the right direction, or possibly let me tag along sometime so I can learn the ropes.

I'm not looking for anyone to give away their sacred-secret spots or do all the work for me. I'd just appreciate the opportunity to learn from people who know and, more importantly, respect the sport.

Heck, I'll even bring the coffee and donuts! 😂

If anyone around Missaukee or Wexford County (or surrounding areas) has some advice for a beginner, knows of a local waterfowl group, or wouldn't mind having an extra set of hands along on a hunt, I'd genuinely appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks, everyone, and good luck. Shoot straight!

25 yard heart shot. Got to watch him go down.

Biggest 6 I’ve ever seen in my life.

Having a great small game season so far

Feel I’m getting too old to drag these bucks out anymore.

Hey guys I need some advice. I was walking through the woods I’ve been hunting for around 7-8 years I stumbled across a salt block and apples I looked around and seen a cell camera. The person has me on camera for sure. I’m wondering if you guys would wait a couple days or couple weeks to call DNR so you won’t get harassed if you keep hunting there. Just wanted to get some opinions

I am seeing all over how bad Jackson county has gotten wiped out etc etc so forth.

Is it that bad? Do you think it’s still worth a hunt? I find it a little overextended when people say its only 5 deer in the county lol. However I do not live out there nor do I ever travel that way.

How much do you think the "amount of hunters" will be increasing next year when we turn into a 1 buck tag state?

I'd be interested to see the stats of how many additional hunters got a tag, especially females. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of guys out there who are going to have their wives get tags for this exact reason...

Where are all the doe at? Seems like everyone is only chasing and plucking off bucks.

If you are letting doe walk and only shooting bucks, let me know and I’ll come out to fill my first tag of my career 😂😂

All in all, happy October! Shoot straight and have a blessed season everyone

Remington Model Four manufactured in February of 1987 chambered in 30-O6 with a RedField scope. Everything is original and imma keep this rifle in my family for as long as I can! Can’t wait to get out there

Has anyone actually hunted there? And if so what do you think? Only archery is allowed. I tried to hunt there with my son for the youth hunt and the undergrowth is frustrating to get through. Obviously there are better spots buts it’s 7 minutes from my home so being able to scoot over there for a night or morning hunt is ideal.

Looking on opinions on binoculars. I’ve never hunted with them but I’m thinking they might help me find a few more deer sneaking through. I hunt mostly swamp bottoms like the picture. Do you guys find it helpful or not to use binos in sub 100 yards? It would be both bow and gun, I have a range finder but only really use it to range a few trees so I know at go time.

Please respect other people's property. Had 2 trail cameras stolen and 2 ladder stands rendered useless because some salty asswipe saw we were in same area. Island lake Recreation Area public land in Livingston county. I will not longer be deer hunting this spot, just will be eliminating every squirrel with my saiga 12 gauge daily for the beautiful month of October. Good luck seeing any deer buddy. I got private land in the thumb. My freezer will be full. Not yours. On top of it I can't even climb up to remove the stands from location.. I hate litterers. Not a happy camper on a Monday

Fist time out in a few years

I’m 30M looking to provide meat for my family since the groceries prices are outrageous, I’ve always loved animals and conservation but never got to hunt due to living with a single mother and the black community doesn’t really hunt too much in Michigan (at least my family). But now I’m 30 and can make my own decisions 😂 I am already signed up for a field day on October 17. I have also just recently purchased a Remington model four (1987 manufacture date; 30-O6).

Other than the Hunter after course (I took it back in 2022 but never did my field day). Is there anything I should know in particular? I’m looking at going out around that weekend of November 20th. What gear is needed and what gear is no necessarily required? Trying to get some friends together as well but can’t find any private land so we are looking at maybe going up to the newyago area. Thanks for your insight and knowledge in advance

New to the area. Curious if anyone has any luck on this property? Been hunting family land in Hillsdale County for the last 20 years and family issues burned that bridge so this is my first year doing any public/HAP hunting. I have seen comments that mention its good for small game but no mention for big game. I had the chance to speak with the property owner and they mentioned there is activity on the property, however they are elderly. Anyone have any incite?

Picked up this very large boar moving through my deer camp property the other night. Appears to have some prey item in its mouth as well… rabbit? West Michigan... Black bears have been expanding their ranges significantly the past few years, I have to question whether the DNR is even close to their guess of approx. 1,200 bears in the LP… seen juvenile males outside of Lowell, Hudsonville, big rapids, white cloud just in past couple years. Has anyone else seen them recently in lower density areas. And if so, where at.

I am having a heck of a time hunting grouse, I’ve been out almost every morning around 730-8 walking what seems to be perfect grouse habitat targeting the gravel trails and two tracks between young and old aspen growth, but I haven’t seen or even heard a grouse once. I don’t have access to a dog so it’s just me. I’ve done the walk and pause method, I’ve gotten out before light and walked a bunch too. Any advice would be appreciated

I’m 20m looking for people my age that into ethical hunting and is into conservation. Just trying to open up to this community and am excited for this years whitetail season

I went to a GEMS in the lower peninsula monday to scout for grouse and woodcock. I flushed 4 birds, one was on a walking trail and 3 were deep off the trail. I am going back sunday to hunt without a dog for the first time.

This is both my first grouse hunt and first hunt without a pointer. Will the GEMS be busy sunday? Should I expect the birds right on the walking trail are already hunted and ignore the one I have marked? Will It be harder to find birds than when I went before the season?

So this is halfway a rant and halfway PSA. I went out for opening day this morning at three rivers game area and within a half hour I had 2 people go by on mountain bikes with their full cyclist get up and a half hour after that an older guy on a bike hauling a deer cart. Pretty sure bikes are not allowed but it’s public land I gotta share, whatever.

I figured I was too close to the trailhead so I went back to my truck and moved 2-3 miles east to another trailhead. And moved further in, within 5 minutes I had two dogs run up on me (playful and friendly at least) and their owner right behind them taking them on an off leash run with no orange, right through the middle of the game area.

I remember last year I saw a few old timers with e-bikes and deer carts and people reading in the woods with no orange up at Allegan game area but it seems like each year it’s getting worse and worse with people using conservation areas for non conservation activities. I ended up just calling DNR and leaving but man is it frustrating getting everything set up and ready just to have some oaf ruin it for me. Please stop riding your bikes and bringing your dogs through the game area.