Open house set for waterfowl hunt areas

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      The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that its Managed Waterfowl Hunting Areas (MWHA) will host open houses in late September and early October to celebrate the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy.
   The DNR invites the public and hunters to join the staff at various MWHAs to tour the areas and learn about the possibilities for hunting and other recreation.

Open houses will be held at the following locations:

Fish Point MWHA (Tuscola County) – Sept. 26 from 5:30-9 p.m.
Nayanquing Point MWHA (Bay County) – Sept. 27 from 5:30-9: p.m.
Shiawassee River MWHA (Saginaw County) – Oct. 2 from 5:30-9 p.m.
Harsens Island (St. Clair County) – Oct. 3 from 5:30-9 p.m
Pointe Mouillee (Monroe/Wayne counties) – Oct. 4 from 5:30-9 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.
   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 the area is run and what to expect when they come in for a hunt drawing, 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 new hunting contest that the DNR has developed to highlight the exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities available to the public in Michigan.
   Taking place at the seven MWHAs throughout the southern Lower Peninsula,  the contest will begin Sept. 15 with the Youth Waterfowl Weekend (only at MWHAs that are conducting drawings) and will close on Jan. 22, 2013, with the Allegan County Goose Management Unit season. Multiple winners will be selected on Feb. 15, 2013.
   More information about the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy can be found at www.michigan.gov/mwl and information on the MWHAs and the Wetland Wonders Challenge can be found at www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.