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Alger County · Flooding or WMA
Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area public hunting, 2026-27
Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area, 6,836 acres in Alger County: deer units and zones, area rules, county harvest and the land nearby.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
What the records say about Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
On the map Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area sits in Alger County. On paper it is a DNR wildlife management area (a flooding or marsh unit). That puts it in the Upper Peninsula, the DNR Upper Peninsula Region. Stewardship falls to the DNR Wildlife Division. Measured at 6,836 acres, it lands 5th of the 72 wildlife management areas we cover. The DNR page gives 5,768 acres, a little off the mapped total. The DNR area list (180 rows) includes it. Munising is the closest town we cover, about 17 miles away; the area lies southwest of it.
From the source page (MI DNR Wildlife Property Boundary GIS Acres field); region from the DNR wildlife region layer. Checked October 22, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
Public tracts within a drive of Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
Besides Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area, the map carries 10 public tracts within driving range. The neighbors add 508,136 acres between them.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munising | Ranger district | 193,410 | 10 mi | northeast |
| Laughing Whitefish Falls | State park | 970 | 12 mi | northwest |
| Wagner Falls | Scenic site | 38 | 14 mi | northeast |
| Friday Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 46 | 15 mi | southwest |
| Sand River / Jeske Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 850 | 19 mi | northwest |
| Cusino | Research area | 1,537 | 20 mi | east |
| Rapid River | Ranger district | 157,799 | 21 mi | south |
| Lake LaVasseur Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 403 | 21 mi | northwest |
| Manistique | Ranger district | 151,862 | 23 mi | southeast |
| Melstrand | GEMS | 1,221 | 25 mi | northeast |
Points from the DNR wildlife, GEMS, parks, forest, USFS, USFWS and NPS layers (MI DNR Wildlife Property Boundary GIS (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area asks of hunters
Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area access terms
Michigan seasons apply on Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area, a DNR-managed flooding. Posted refuges and closed areas are the only parts kept closed.
The statewide fine print, applied to Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
- Tree stands on public land are portable only, go up no earlier than Sept. 1 and come down by March 1, carry the owner's name and address or license or Sportcard number, and use no nails, screws, bolts or screw-in steps.
- Ground blinds may stand from Sept. 1 to the end of the deer seasons; portable blinds come out daily, and constructed blinds need ID and are barred on Zone 3 game areas, parks and recreation areas.
- Orange season runs Aug. 15 to April 30. Exempt: archery deer and bear, turkey, falconry and migratory birds other than woodcock.
- Use the Hunt Fish app or the DNR harvest report page within 72 hours for deer and turkey.
- Safety zone: 450 feet from any occupied building for firearm hunting.
- Public land: no food plots.
- In the UP deer bait is allowed from Sept. 15 to Jan. 1, 2 gallons at most, scattered.
- Bear baiters on state and Commercial Forest land: no barrels or containers, bait on the ground only.
- From Nov. 15 to 30, ORVs and snowmobiles are restricted 7-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. on land open to public hunting.
What licenses Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area needs
The base license covers small game; deer hunters pick a single or combo license at purchase, and universal antlerless licenses follow the use limit where you hunt.
Access from the source page; public-land stand, blind, safety-zone and food-plot rules from the DNR deer regulations summary; hunter orange from MCL 324.40116; prices from the 2026 license fee tables. Checked October 22, 2026.
What hunters chase at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
Nothing narrows the game at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area: the county season rows and zone units below are the guide.
For Alger County the regulation summaries carry 40 dated hunting rows covering 22 species, among them White-tailed deer, Black bear, Wild turkey, Ruffed grouse and Woodcock.
Species from the source (The DNR list gives no species for this area; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations.); bag limits from the DNR regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Zones and units that take in Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
The DNR zone line puts it in Zone 1. The 2026 deer rules removed DMU 351, which older layers still draw. The 2026 deer summary closes DMU 021 to universal antlerless licenses. The Gwinn BMU drawing covers 3 hunt periods; the first (Sept. 9 – Oct. 21) has 140 licenses. Spring unit M, fall unit M. Spring 2026 dates were the last ones published. Duck dates follow the North Zone: Sep 26-Nov 22 and Nov 28-Nov 29.
Antlerless rules near Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
| Deer unit | Name | Antlerless | Limit per hunter | Point rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 021 | Manistique unit | Open | Closed | None |
Bear permits for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
| BMU | Hunts | 2026 quota | Points (2025) | Bears 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinn | 3 hunts | 735 | 6–7 | 220 |
Spring and fall units for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
| Turkey unit | Birds reported | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spring M | 1,254 | Spring 2026, unit |
| Fall M | 124 | Whole unit, in progress |
Zones from the DNR 2026 zone layers as recorded in lands.json; DMU status and APR from the Wildlife Conservation Order; use limits from the 2026 deer summary; BMU hunts and quotas from the 2026 bear summary and bear registration data; turkey from the DNR turkey harvest report; CWD lists from the DNR CWD rules. Checked October 22, 2026.
Every hunt that reaches Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
For Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area, 40 segments cover deer, small game, waterfowl and furbearers this license year.
| Species | Hunt type | Zone or unit | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Liberty Hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, early | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Independence Hunt | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular firearm | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, late | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Upper Peninsula | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 | Gwinn BMU | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 | Newberry BMU | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 2 | Gwinn BMU | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 2 | Newberry BMU | Sep 14, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 3 | Gwinn BMU | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 3 | Newberry BMU | Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall unit M | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Fall first part | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Fall second part | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Fall | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | |
| Fox and gray squirrel | Private-land season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| Fox and gray squirrel | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Private-land season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Crow | Summer | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Crow | Late winter | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | North Zone | Nov 28, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Veterans days | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Youth weekend | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 1 | North Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | North Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Management season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Management season | Statewide | Mar 2, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Coyote | Regular hunting | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | Bobcat Unit A | Jan 1, 2027 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Feral swine | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Opossum | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Skunk | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Woodchuck | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 hunting regulation summaries (deer, bear, elk, turkey, small game, waterfowl and furbearer editions), checked October 22, 2026.
Alger County harvest near Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
Deer reported in Alger County for 2025: 521. The reporting era peaked at 626 in 2022 and bottomed at 482 in 2023. The starred 2026 bar (40) is partial. 26 spring turkeys were reported in Alger County in 2026. No harvest is published for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area itself, so county and DMU totals are the finest level.
Reported deer around Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Sum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 19 | 21 | 40 |
| 2025 | 457 | 64 | 521 |
| 2024 | 498 | 48 | 546 |
| 2023 | 432 | 50 | 482 |
| 2022 | 537 | 89 | 626 |
Unit totals near Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
| Unit | Antlered | Antlerless | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 021 | 942 | 201 | 1,143 |
Alger County turkey table
| Measure | Birds |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | 26 |
| Fall so far | 4 |
| Fall 2025 estimate | 8 |
| Hunters, fall 2025 | 26 |
Deer from the DNR Harvest Report Summary (mandatory reporting; 2026 season to date); CWD from the DNR CWD testing data; turkeys from the turkey harvest report and the 2025 fall survey. Checked October 22, 2026.
Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area: nearby towns and businesses
Covered towns come first, measured straight-line, then shops, processors and DNR desks.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munising | Alger | 17 mi | 1,948 | 98,634 |
| Rock | Delta | 19 mi | – | 60,217 |
| K. I. Sawyer | Marquette | 23 mi | – | 50,712 |
| Rapid River | Delta | 24 mi | – | 73,085 |
County write-ups on this site: Alger County.
Butcher shops and taxidermists for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area trips
Agency offices closest to Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
The DNR list names Escanaba Wildlife Office as the local office for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area.
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 22, 2026. Call ahead.
Sighting in before Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
Skoglund-Erickson Shooting Range, 32 miles off, is the DNR range nearest Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area. Club ranges within 30 miles follow.
Disciplines: handgun, rifle, shotgun, archery
Disciplines: rifle, handgun, trap, shotgun
Disciplines: sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Legal shooting light at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area
Deer hunters at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area get legal light from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, read from the DNR table for the date.
| Date | Moment | Zone A hours | Zone B hours | Zone C hours | Zone D hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:59 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Independence Hunt | 7:15 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Firearm opener | 6:53 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Firearm close | 7:11 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | December hunts | 7:16 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late archery close | 7:31 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 7:37 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:43 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:49 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
Zone A times from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer hunting hours table, zone offsets from the DNR hunting hours map legend, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours for every zone.
Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area questions with data-backed answers
Which DMU numbers apply on Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Deer unit 021.
What game does Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area hold, per the DNR?
Any species in an open season, as long as you follow the area rules.
Which turkey units cover Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Fall unit none; spring 2027 dates are not out yet.
Which bear management unit holds Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Bear Management Unit Gwinn. Bear hunting needs a drawn or leftover license for a Gwinn hunt period.
Does the deer baiting rule allow bait at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Yes, Sept. 15 to Jan. 1, up to 2 gallons scattered. The county is missing from the 18-county CWD list.
What are the waterfowl rules at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Use the North Zone dates. Bring non-toxic shot and a plugged gun.
How do I report a deer from Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Within 72 hours, online or in the Hunt Fish app; keep the confirmation number.
Is hunter orange required on Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Aug. 15 through April 30, in daylight shooting hours.
Which Michigan licenses do I need for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
eLicense or the Hunt Fish app sells everything needed; nonresidents pay $151 for the base license.
Are screw-in steps allowed on Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
Yes: name and address, license or Sportcard number.
Who writes the rules for Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
The DNR Wildlife Division treats it as a DNR wildlife management area (a flooding or marsh unit).
What other state or federal land is near Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area?
The closest alternatives are Munising Ranger District (Hiawatha National Forest) (10 miles), Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park (12 miles) and Wagner Falls Scenic Site (14 miles).
Where do Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area hunters stay?
Alger County holds it, 17 miles from Munising.
Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area: what to confirm
Refuges, closures and drawing schedules at Au Train Basin State Waterfowl Management Area can change during the season; the agency page and Mi-HUNT have the current picture.
Sources for this page: Michigan DNR: state wildlife game areas list · DNR GIS; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Wesley Fryer (CC BY 2.0).