News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Monday, a wood duck nesting box is seen at Island Park, installed in April by the Sunrise Side Chapter of Delta Waterfowl.

ALPENA — Michigan’s Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend is coming up on Sept. 20 to 21, and local youth are encouraged to participate.

The weekend is organized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Encouraging young hunters to participate in waterfowl hunts ensures the sport will stick around for generations to come, according to Alex Birch, a member of the Sunrise Side Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, a waterfowl conservation group committed to promoting waterfowl production and hunting in Northeastern Michigan.

“From a personal and Delta perspective, I feel it is important to involve youth in the sport of waterfowling for several reasons,” Birch said.

Birch explained that involving youth in the sport of waterfowling shares the heritage passed down through generations and that “it’s an opportunity for youth to get outdoors.”

“They are able to connect with nature, learn about the resources they will someday steward, and be part of waterfowl hunting camaraderie which is unique to hunting waterfowl,” Birch added. “The youth are literally the future of this and every outdoor sport.”

Birch said that if youth don’t experience hunting waterfowl they won’t appreciate it and all the unique moments that come from the sport. He noted moments such as watching a “group of teal fly by,” the “majestic beauty of wood ducks silently flying through your decoy spread,” and watching a “well-trained dog being worked by their owner through the decoys to the downed birds.”

Birch added, “These are just a few of the many moments I wish all youth could experience.”

According to Birch, the community that comes with the waterfowling sport adds to the overall experience, such as “the high fives and excitement your buddies share with you about your success.”

The Michigan DNR states that the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend is a statewide waterfowl season that takes place on public and private lands open to waterfowl hunting. Hunters 16 years old or younger can participate in the weekend hunt.

Those interested in participating should review license requirements at michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/laws/regulations/waterfowl.

The DNR allows youth hunters to take ducks, mergansers, geese, coots, and common gallinules may be harvested.

According to the Fish and Wildlife survey of 2024, the total duck estimate was 394% above the record low 2023 estimate and similar to long-term duck estimates (1991-2023). The department estimated 674,000 ducks were living in surveyed areas of Michigan in 2024. In comparison, the department estimated 134,000 were living in Michigan in 2023.

The department also reported that the 2024 mallard estimate was 203% above the 2023 estimate and similar to the long-term average (1991-2023).

As far as wetland habitat conditions are concerned, the department reported that 2024 conditions “remained good to excellent” across the state. They also reported that Great Lakes water levels remained “above to well above” their long-term average. However, Lake Superior was slightly below its long-term average.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.