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Hunting Edgar Waterfowl Production Area in 2026-27
What we could verify about Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: acreage, units, area rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: Scrap Pile (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: the record card
Look for Edgar Waterfowl Production Area in Barry County; the record files it as a federal waterfowl production area. For DNR purposes it falls in the Southwest Lower Peninsula Region. Management rests with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Out of 5 waterfowl production areas, its 158 acres put it in place 2. The DNR prints 157 acres for it. It has a row on the DNR game and wildlife areas list. Roughly 5 miles west of Hastings. Look up Michigan Wetland Management District for the wider property.
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 Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Quarry and limits at Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Ducks and geese, white-tailed deer, upland birds and squirrels and rabbits: that is the list the agency gives for Edgar Waterfowl Production Area.
Ducks and geese
White-tailed deer
Upland birds
Small game
Species left off still follow the Barry County table below.
Species from the source (FWS Michigan WMD hunting page and 50 CFR 32.41(d).); bag limits from the DNR regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Units and limits for Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Hunting zone: Zone 3, in the Southern Lower Peninsula. The zone layer still draws the old Limited Firearm Deer Zone over it, but that zone was eliminated for 2026: every legal firearm may now be used across the Lower Peninsula. The universal antlerless use limit for Barry County is 5. Antlerless firearm hunting in Barry County includes the September and December-January seasons. Turkey units: ZZ in spring, I in fall (spring 2027 dates not yet set). South Zone ducks: Oct 17-Dec 13 and Dec 26-Dec 27.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: DMUs and antlerless limits
| Unit | Name | Antlerless | Use limit | Antler rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 008 | Barry county | Open | 5 | None |
| DMU 486 | Southern Lower Peninsula multicounty | – | By county | None |
BMUs over Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
| BMU | Hunts | Quota 2026 | Points | 2025 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dansville | No bear hunt | – | – | – |
Turkey hunting units over Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
| Unit | Reported | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spring ZZ | 13,292 | Unit total 2026 |
| Fall I | 822 | Unit total, to date |
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.
Map: Edgar Waterfowl Production Area and the public tracts around it
Smaller pins show 10 nearby public tracts around Edgar Waterfowl Production Area. Acres across them: 39,133.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry | State game area | 17,141 | 3.3 mi | southwest |
| Yankee Springs | Recreation area | 3,522 | 5.3 mi | west |
| Middleville | State game area | 4,583 | 6.1 mi | north |
| Gordon Guyer Augusta Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area | State wildlife area | 391 | 18 mi | south |
| Tamarack Lake | State game area | 266 | 18 mi | east |
| Saranac-Lowell | State game area | 2,152 | 22 mi | north |
| Fort Custer | Recreation area | 2,862 | 23 mi | south |
| Ionia | Recreation area | 4,230 | 24 mi | northeast |
| Portland | State game area | 2,625 | 26 mi | northeast |
| Cannonsburg | State game area | 1,361 | 27 mi | north |
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.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: what is allowed
How access works at Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Fish and Wildlife Service rules open Edgar Waterfowl Production Area to deer, upland bird, upland game and waterfowl hunting under Michigan regulations; carry non-toxic shot.
- See 50 CFR 32.41(d) for the federal text.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: what the regulation summaries require
- Stands may be placed from Sept. 1 and must be gone by March 1. Portable models only, ID attached, no screw-in steps.
- Blind rule on public land: portable ones removed daily, dead-material ones need no label, constructed ones need ID and are out on Zone 3 game areas and parks.
- Wear a hunter orange cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear from Aug. 15 through April 30; bowhunters in archery seasons, turkey hunters and most migratory bird hunters are exempt.
- Within 72 hours of recovering a deer or turkey, report it on the DNR site or the Hunt Fish app.
- The 450-foot (150-yard) safety zone around occupied buildings applies.
- Food plots are not allowed on public ground.
- Deer baiting and feeding are banned across the Lower Peninsula, this area included.
The license bill for Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Start with the base license, then add the deer, turkey, waterfowl or pheasant license you need, on eLicense or in the Hunt Fish app. Universal antlerless use is limited by county or UP unit.
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.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area hunting calendar
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area rows run from the September Liberty Hunt and bear periods through the late coyote, fox and bobcat dates.
| Game | Hunt | Unit | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early antlerless firearm | Listed antlerless county | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| 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 | December firearm | Lower Peninsula | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late antlerless firearm | Listed antlerless county | Dec 7, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall unit I | 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 | |
| Pheasant | Fall | Zone 3 | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | December | Zone 3 | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| 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 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 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 | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 2 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 4 | South Zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 2 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 4 | South Zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| 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.
Reported deer and turkeys near Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
The 2025 reported total for Barry County was 3,695 deer (1,829 antlered). 2022 was the busiest year on the chart (5,032 deer), 2025 the leanest (3,695). License year 2026 is still running; 560 deer reported by Oct. 22. Spring 2026 turkey reports for Barry County: 460 birds. These numbers cover the country around Edgar Waterfowl Production Area, not the property alone.
Deer reported near Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 255 | 305 | 560 |
| 2025 | 1,829 | 1,866 | 3,695 |
| 2024 | 2,217 | 2,185 | 4,402 |
| 2023 | 2,668 | 2,128 | 4,796 |
| 2022 | 2,787 | 2,245 | 5,032 |
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: deer units, 2025
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 008 | 1,829 | 1,866 | 3,695 |
Barry County turkey harvest
| Item | Birds |
|---|---|
| Spring reported | 460 |
| Fall to date | 18 |
| Fall 2025 | 74 |
| Fall hunters | 413 |
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.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area and the records it is filed with
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area is one of 5 units under Michigan Wetland Management District.
Michigan Wetland Management District units beside Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
| Unit | Type | Where | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlee | WPA | Jackson | 159 |
| Malan | WPA | Jackson | 141 |
| Schoonover | WPA | Lenawee | 95 |
| Kinney | WPA | Van Buren | 78 |
Base camps, butchers and DNR desks around Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Towns first; the services after them are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | Barry | 5.0 mi | 7,513 | 21,792 |
| Middleville | Barry | 6.1 mi | 4,444 | 24,876 |
| Freeport | Barry | 8.7 mi | 552 | 8,056 |
| Delton | Barry | 11 mi | – | 13,307 |
County pages that cover this ground: Barry County.
Processors, mounts and gun counters near Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Local DNR and federal offices for Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
The DNR area list points to Barry DNR Wildlife Office.
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.
Hunting events at or near Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Rows marked On site use this property as the venue; the rest are within about 10 miles. 2 upcoming events in all.
Dates ahead
| Date | Event | Mi | Where | Sign up | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2027 | Thornapple Valley NWTF Banquet / NWTF banquet | 5 | Hastings (Barry Co.) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Coldwater River Longbeards NWTF Banquet / NWTF banquet | 8 | Wayland (Barry Co.) | Buy tickets | Source |
When the hunting day opens and closes at Edgar Waterfowl Production Area
Ducks and geese stop at sunset and early teal and woodcock start at sunrise; these deer times are for big game and most small game.
| 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.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area: ranges nearby
Drive about 4 miles to Barry County Shooting Range for a DNR range. The next cards are clubs nearby.
Set up for rifle, handgun, muzzleloader, shotgun
Set up for trap, skeet, sporting clays, rifle, handgun
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area hunting questions, short answers
How many hours do I have to report an Edgar Waterfowl Production Area deer?
Within 72 hours of recovery or before the animal changes hands.
Can bowhunters skip orange at Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
Hunter pink is an approved alternative; the rule runs Aug. 15 to April 30.
Is an extra permit required for Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
Residents pay $11 for the base license and $40 for the deer combo.
What are the blind rules at Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
From Sept. 1; they must be gone by March 1.
Does Edgar Waterfowl Production Area sit inside a bigger unit?
It is managed as part of Michigan Wetland Management District.
Which other areas sit within reach of Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
Nearest neighbors: Barry State Game Area (3 miles), Yankee Springs Recreation Area (5 miles) and Middleville State Game Area (6 miles).
Is Edgar Waterfowl Production Area large enough for a full day afield?
Acreage on record: 158.
Which division or agency runs Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages it; the land is a federal waterfowl production area.
Which game does the Edgar Waterfowl Production Area record list?
The source lists ducks and geese, white-tailed deer, upland birds and squirrels and rabbits. Other open seasons apply too, within the area rules.
Which town makes a good base for an Edgar Waterfowl Production Area hunt?
Barry County, roughly 5 miles from Hastings.
Is there a bear season at Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
Dansville for bear. Dansville BMU has no bear season.
Which deer units take in Edgar Waterfowl Production Area?
DMU 008 and 486. Barry County caps antlerless use at 5.
Is Edgar Waterfowl Production Area in the North, Middle or South Zone?
South Zone for ducks and geese. Shotguns hold 3 shells and fire non-toxic shot.
Edgar Waterfowl Production Area wrap-up
Print the Edgar Waterfowl Production Area map, carry your licenses, and check the agency page the week you go.
Sources for this page: Michigan DNR: state wildlife game areas list · DNR GIS · USFWS: hunting; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: z2amiller (CC BY-SA 2.0); Calistemon (CC BY-SA 4.0).