Hunting across much of mid-Michigan was similar.

"There were lots of wood ducks," said Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee member Mike Abson of Belding. "A lot of people are asking why we can't have the limit on wood ducks raised to three. Overall though I got the impression that duck numbers were down in general and hunting sucked."

"The very dry and warm September left rivers and wetlands on the west side of the state in poor condition, and they never recovered," offered wildlife biologist Nik Kalejs. "If not for wood ducks, there wouldn't have been very many ducks shot on opening day.

"The total duck harvest declined at the Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant from 344 in 2003 to 214 in 2004," continued Kalejs. Kalejs said this was largely due to the reduced season length. Hunting on MWWTP didn't begin until Oct. 26, 2004. Although peak duck numbers at the MWWTP in 2004 showed a significant increase over 2003 (13,500 versus 11,000) the increase was due to an unusually large number of ruddy ducks using the area. Overall, Kalejs said, "The small increases in rainfall were not enough to adequately recharge the lower Muskegon River wetlands or build up significant waterfowl use."

For more information on opening dates and hunting opportunities on the Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant, contact the management unit at (231) 788-5055.

The eastern U.P. is a waterfowling mecca and sees significant use by local and downstate hunters who take advantage of Michigan's split waterfowl season. As a result, opening-day competition is usually intense at places like Munuscong Bay, Potagannissing Bay, Drummond Island and other popular waterfowling areas. Hunting can be feast or famine.

"Last year the hunting in the eastern U.P. sucked like most other places," said wildlife biologist and avid waterfowler Rex Ainslie. "There were good numbers of ringnecks around on opening day and hunting was generally good, but hit or miss after that." Ainslie said that warm, mild weather during much of the early season and low water conditions hurt hunting.

Ainslie did report that conditions in 2005 seem to be much improved. "I'm seeing ducks in almost every pond," he said in early summer.

Avid waterfowler Jim Bias didn't mince words when asked about the hunting near Drummond Island last season. "Drummond Island was terrible!" he said. "The number of ducks seemed to be down, although there was some improvement late in the season. Bluebills were down tremendously, and there seemed to be a big increase in the number of diver hunters."

Roland Bell of the Michigan Duck Hunters Association said that statewide the hunting was poor in 2004. "I heard a lot of hunters asking, 'Where are all the ducks?' " said Roland.

Waterfowling hunting success in Michigan during 2005-2006 will depend on a number of factors. Nesting success is critical because waterfowl hunting in the state relies so heavily on locally reproduced birds. As of this writing, spring nesting conditions were good and there seemed to be an abundance of wetlands and ponds.

Another big variable is weather. Ideally, fall north winds and blustery conditions bring in migrant birds after the local ducks have wised up and head south. But that's up to Mother Nature, and we all know how difficult the weather is to predict. Given the poor hunting Michigan waterfowlers have experienced over the past two seasons, I'm hedging my bet this year. If the ducks don't show up, I plan on spending a lot more time in a tree stand this fall with my bow. And now I've got the arrows!