Miller Rd. in the winter
taking a break on miller drain by the hay bridge (where it used to be).
Shiawassee Harvest Data 2009
Just got this years harvest data from Vic in St. Charles.
Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Division
Shiawassee River State Game Area
Zone Effort and Harvest: 09/19/2009 – 12/06/2009
FIELD: 1-5
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
1 23 25 86.00 5 35 1 2.44 1 1.6
2 98 118 443.50 23 130 5 3.16 1 1.3
3 71 95 358.00 23 113 15 9.93 1 1.4
4 62 83 324.00 15 98 13 10.32 1 1.4
321 1,211.50 66 376 34 7.14 1 1.4
FIELD: 6-14
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
6 65 77 289.00 4 65 4 5.48 0 0.9
7 78 84 319.00 7 60 6 8.22 0 0.8
8 39 43 155.00 2 47 4 7.55 1 1.1
9 81 94 343.00 15 119 12 8.22 1 1.4
10 152 209 781.50 27 260 23 7.42 1 1.4
11 125 154 580.00 15 175 24 11.21 1 1.2
12 63 70 242.50 8 72 1 1.23 1 1.1
13 147 162 617.00 20 117 15 9.87 0 0.8
14 97 101 381.00 4 46 7 12.28 0 0.5
994 3,708.00 102 961 96 8.28 1 1.1
FIELD: 137-150
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
137 58 64 222.50 3 70 16 17.98 1 1.1
138 7 7 22.00 0 6 0 0 0 0.9
139 17 19 73.50 0 16 4 20 0 0.8
140 18 18 71.50 3 21 0 0 1 1.3
142 11 11 41.00 0 27 1 3.57 2 2.5
143 7 7 28.00 0 8 2 20 1 1.1
144 7 7 25.00 1 18 6 24 2 2.7
145 7 7 28.00 0 7 2 22.22 1 1.0
146 3 3 11.00 2 1 1 25 0 1.0
147 6 6 28.00 0 24 5 17.24 4 4.0
149 4 4 10.00 0 4 0 0 1 1.0
150 4 4 13.50 0 5 0 0 1 1.2
157 574.00 9 207 37 14.62 1 1.4
FIELD: 15-20
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
15 23 23 89.00 0 7 1 12.5 0 0.3
16 55 64 239.50 11 33 7 13.73 0 0.7
17 29 31 111.00 4 24 1 3.45 0 0.9
18 16 16 63.50 0 5 1 16.67 0 0.3
19 12 12 50.50 0 5 0 0 0 0.4
20 22 23 83.00 2 12 6 30 0 0.6
169 636.50 17 86 16 13.45 0 0.6
FIELD: 21-22
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
21 9 9 30.00 0 7 2 22.22 0 0.8
22 8 8 32.00 1 1 1 33.33 0 0.2
17 62.00 1 8 3 25 0 0.5
FIELD: 23-28
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
23 14 14 37.00 4 11 1 6.25 0 1.1
24 17 17 56.50 0 12 2 14.29 0 0.7
25 39 45 173.00 19 40 3 4.84 0 1.3
26 85 115 443.50 26 86 20 15.15 0 1.0
27 41 46 181.50 12 34 8 14.81 0 1.0
28 27 34 127.00 16 50 8 10.81 1 1.9
271 1,018.50 77 233 42 11.93 0 1.1
FIELD: 29
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
29 40 42 144.00 2 30 6 15.79 0 0.8
42 144.00 2 30 6 15.79 0 0.8
FIELD: 30-38
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
30 14 14 55.00 5 15 1 4.76 1 1.4
31 24 29 113.00 4 34 4 9.52 1 1.3
32 11 12 46.00 1 11 0 0 0 1.0
33 87 107 396.00 21 135 16 9.3 1 1.5
34 164 211 755.50 46 247 18 5.79 1 1.4
35 77 83 326.00 15 138 14 8.38 1 1.8
36 66 74 294.00 25 143 7 4 1 2.3
37 106 154 599.50 29 265 10 3.29 1 1.9
38 51 54 216.50 6 81 1 1.14 1 1.6
738 2,801.50 152 1,069 71 5.5 1 1.7
FIELD: 39-48
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
39 58 61 266.50 10 94 13 11.11 1 1.7
40 57 59 231.50 20 86 11 9.4 1 1.8
41 115 132 554.00 29 215 20 7.58 1 1.8
42 170 216 864.50 44 332 35 8.52 1 1.7
43 93 108 433.00 26 175 16 7.37 1 1.9
44 99 113 451.00 26 216 23 8.68 1 2.1
45 65 72 291.00 8 89 23 19.17 1 1.3
46 116 144 513.50 29 168 24 10.86 1 1.4
47 41 42 182.00 8 13 3 12.5 0 0.5
48 68 84 307.00 3 109 16 12.5 1 1.3
1,031 4,094.00 203 1,497 184 9.77 1 1.6
FIELD: 49-52
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
49 57 66 244.50 6 83 19 17.59 1 1.3
50 6 6 16.00 2 5 2 22.22 0 1.2
51 8 8 25.50 1 18 3 13.64 2 2.4
52 7 7 30.50 1 7 2 20 1 1.1
87 316.50 10 113 26 17.45 1 1.4
FIELD: 55-60
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
55 118 151 561.00 3 88 11 10.78 0 0.6
56 66 70 246.50 1 25 4 13.33 0 0.4
57 191 223 864.00 18 265 32 10.16 1 1.3
58 185 204 766.00 14 172 24 11.43 0 0.9
59 184 235 904.00 35 479 43 7.72 2 2.2
60 197 234 902.50 35 344 57 13.07 1 1.6
1,117 4,244.00 106 1,373 171 10.36 1 1.3
FIELD: 61-66
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
61 57 64 236.00 0 69 11 13.75 1 1.1
62 127 143 533.50 13 138 11 6.79 1 1.1
63 128 138 539.50 2 185 19 9.22 1 1.4
64 155 177 675.50 19 311 31 8.59 1 1.9
65 144 186 659.00 11 344 26 6.82 1 1.9
66 160 202 760.50 19 354 28 6.98 1 1.8
910 3,404.00 64 1,401 126 7.92 1 1.6
FIELD: 67-76
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
67 40 59 197.00 4 63 4 5.63 1 1.1
68 3 3 12.00 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
69 6 6 26.00 1 5 0 0 0 1.0
71 7 7 19.00 0 12 0 0 1 1.7
72 4 4 10.00 0 3 0 0 0 0.8
74 4 4 15.00 0 10 0 0 2 2.5
75 3 3 9.00 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
76 3 3 5.50 0 5 0 0 1 1.7
89 293.50 5 98 4 3.74 1 1.2
FIELD: 77-117
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
100 8 8 3.00 2 3 5 50 0 0.6
101 1 1 2.00 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
103 6 6 23.00 0 3 0 0 0 0.5
104 5 5 24.00 0 14 0 0 2 2.8
105 7 7 28.00 0 15 0 0 2 2.1
106 2 2 8.00 0 0 2 100 0 0.0
107 3 3 7.00 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
108 7 7 12.00 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
109 3 3 9.00 0 3 1 25 1 1.0
112 7 7 25.00 1 8 0 0 1 1.3
115 5 5 20.00 0 12 0 0 2 2.4
116 7 7 27.00 2 17 2 9.52 2 2.7
77 141 191 713.00 6 173 38 17.51 0 0.9
78 39 42 161.50 1 35 6 14.29 0 0.9
79 53 59 207.50 6 51 15 20.83 0 1.0
80 41 43 137.00 0 47 8 14.55 1 1.1
81 32 33 131.50 2 24 6 18.75 0 0.8
82 24 24 78.50 3 20 4 14.81 0 1.0
83 31 33 120.00 0 34 7 17.07 1 1.0
84 26 26 83.00 0 34 4 10.53 1 1.3
85 18 18 68.50 1 42 10 18.87 2 2.4
86 26 26 104.50 0 28 7 20 1 1.1
87 20 20 56.00 0 19 4 17.39 1 1.0
88 12 12 42.00 1 18 3 13.64 1 1.6
89 21 21 74.50 0 25 8 24.24 1 1.2
90 14 14 50.50 0 16 6 27.27 1 1.1
91 14 14 46.50 0 9 2 18.18 0 0.6
92 12 12 48.00 0 12 4 25 1 1.0
93 10 10 28.00 0 7 1 12.5 0 0.7
94 7 7 26.00 0 13 4 23.53 1 1.9
95 7 7 25.00 0 15 1 6.25 2 2.1
96 11 11 44.00 0 18 5 21.74 1 1.6
97 9 9 36.00 0 27 4 12.9 3 3.0
98 5 5 20.00 0 1 0 0 0 0.2
99 1 1 3.00 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
699 2,492.50 25 743 157 16.97 1 1.1
FIELD: A ONLY
Hunter Hours Ducks Birds
Trips Hunted per Trip per Trip
Zone Hunters Geese Ducks Cripples % Cripples
A 33 52 159.50 7 14 2 8.7 0 0.4
52 159.50 7 14 2 8.7 0 0.4
ALL FIELDS: 6,694 25,160.0 846 8,209 975 9.72 1 1.4
0
Harvest Counts By Species
Canada Goose: 846 Wigeon: 175
Mallard: 5,351 Scaup: 30
Black Duck: 345 Ring Neck: 119
G.W. Teal: 944 Bufflehead: 25
B.W. Teal: 71 Redhead: 58
Wood Duck: 553 Merganser: 33
Shoveler: 32 Other duck: 171
Pintail: 299 Other Game: 3
Geese Shot and Ducks Shot and
Not Found: 104 Not Found: 871
Just when you think your day is going bad…..
think of this guys day.
12′ V-bottom FOR SALE
I’m selling one of my light shiawassee dike rigs. This is a little 12′ v-bottom that is outfitted to pull dikes on shiawassee state game area. I fabricated an inside the boat winch mount that pulls directly through the hull. It comes with a trailer and early 80’s (82′ i think) evinrude 9.9hp. This boat runs. I used it a couple times this year and had no issues. This boat would make a great starter boat for the flats.
Included in sale of boat are:
- 12′ V-bottom with winch mount. (no winch included)
- Early 80’s Evinrude 9.9hp
- Trailer (trailer is in excellent condition)
- WINCH IS NOT INCLUDED (just the mounting system and guides are)
*note: tiller handle was cracked previous to me owning it but it was welded and works perfectly fine. I tried to take a picture of the welded area but it didn’t turn out great.
Any questions, feel free to call 989-574-7557 ask for Dan.
PRICE $1,000
Delta Waterfowl – Traveling decoy “Bob” has arrived.
I’ve been anticipating this decoy for a few weeks now. I received him in the mail today and looking forward to hunting over Bob saturday morning. I have a good feeling that bob is gonna see a lot of dikes this weekend. I’ll burn a set of camera batteries of Bob at work and make a pretty big post this upcoming week. Check back.
Delta Waterfowl Traveling Decoy - "Bob"
Shiawassee Mallards
By Dan.Boivin and has no comments yet.
I know I’ve been neglecting the site lately….sorry for this. I’ve been swamped at work and have not hunted much at all. Here’s a picture from this week though….there is still a few birds around, you just need to be in the right fields. 
Butch and the Brickel brothers
Another photo
By Dan.Boivin and has no comments yet.
I forgot that I had snapped this shot just outside of Grand Forks on way out to Nodak this year. I noticed a strange plane lifting off the air base as we were passing by so i stuck my camera out the window and guessed on where it was overhead. Pretty cool watching a Predator Drone lift off and maneuver around knowing there was a guy somewhere remotely controlling it.
Predator Drone over Grand Forks
Predator Drone over Grand Forks
Recipe’s
I’ve had a couple requests for recipe’s for duck. Figured i’d post them here so they are easy to reference.
BBQ Duck (shredded)
Celery – 4 or 5 ribs sliced up
Onion – 1 cup chopped
Green Pepper – 1 cup chopped
Butter/margarine – 1/2 cup
Ketchup – 1/2 cup
Brown Sugar – 1/4 cup
Worcestershire Sauce – 3 tablespoons
Chili powder – 1 1/2 teaspoons
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Pepper – 1/8 teaspoon
Frank’s or other hot sauce – 1/4 teaspoon (I use more)
BBQ sauce – 1 cup
hamburger buns or rolls
cole slaw (optional)
Duck breasts (5 or 6 large ducks, or 10-12 small/medium ducks)
MAKES 10-12 SANDWICHES…MORE IF YOU USE COLE SLAW ON THE BUN WITH IT
Directions: Put butter on bottom of crock pot. Cover bottom with celery, onion & green pepper. Lay duck breasts on veggies…stack on top of each other if necessary. In separate bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, worcestershire, chili powder, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Spread this mixture evenly over top of duck. Cook in crock pot 8-9 hours on low, or 5-6 hours on high. When duck flakes apart easily with fork, it’s done. Shred the duck right in the crock pot with a fork, then mix all contents of the pot, and add the BBQ sauce. Heat through and serve on buns (with cole slaw if desired).
DUCK WRAPS
2 Goose/Duck Breasts
Jalapeno Peppers
Cream Cheese
Bacon Slices
Shredded Pepperjack cheese
Toothpicks
Soak the breast meat in milk for at least 12 hrs to remove blood.
Cut each breast into strips.
Lay out a piece of bacon and place a strip of duck meat on one end.
Place a sliced jalapeno pepper on the bacon after the duck meat, followed
by a dab of cream cheese, then another strip of breast meat.
Roll up the bacon with all this inside and secure with a toothpick.
Place on cookie sheet/tin foil and bake in oven 400° for 45min or so….when bacon is done it is ready
sprinkly pepperjack over bacon wraps and melt…then serve
Also works on grill.
The last big bang
Since the mallards haven’t cooperated we just settled on hammering gadwals and wigeons (and any other species that felt the need to bomb our decoys). Tonight Dave and I absolutely had one of the best marsh hunts ever. It took longer to unload canoe, paddle to spot (about 70yrds) throw out decoys than it took to shoot 12 gaddies. Tanner got a workout as the water was belly deep. He got very little rest as we had birds down while he was still bringing the previous bird back like 3-4 times. This hunt made my week. Dave and I shot really well, the dog did absolutely awesome and we were loaded back up in the truck before it was even close to dark. great hunt by all standards.
This is the last night here at camp and Chris, Johnny and Steve are heading out in the morning. Dave V. and I are gonna hit our favorite hole in the morning and head out around noon or so.
so far after totaling ducks/geese/swans this week. In the past 7 days we have shot 192 ducks, 4 canadas, 1 snow, 3 swans. Dave and I will have a chance in the morning to extend that total another 12 more to bring it over 200. We probably woulda easily made that mark if Dave would have been here sunday and monday. 
tailgate stack
crew, dogs and birds
just had to include this, Otto has the best poses.