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Hunting Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area in 2026-27
What we could verify about Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area: acreage, units, area rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: Christian Collins (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Gladwin TrailParking · 1.3 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.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA at a glance
Look for Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area in Gladwin County; the record files it as a DNR wildlife management area (a flooding or marsh unit). For DNR purposes it falls in the Northern Lower Peninsula Region. Management rests with the DNR Wildlife Division. Out of 72 wildlife management areas, its 1,885 acres put it in place 23. It has a row on the DNR game and wildlife areas list. Roughly 11 miles west of Standish.
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 Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area
Quarry and limits at Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA carries no game list of its own. Any season open where it lies is fair game, within the area rules.
Gladwin County seasons cover White-tailed deer, Black bear, Wild turkey, Ruffed grouse and Woodcock and more: 23 species in 41 rows.
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.
Units and limits for Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
Hunting zone: Zone 2, in the Northern Lower Peninsula. The universal antlerless use limit for Gladwin County is 4. Antlerless firearm hunting in Gladwin County includes the September and December-January seasons. Gladwin BMU, hunt 0022: Sept. 12–22 and Oct. 2–8, 95 licenses. Turkey units: NN in spring, I in fall (spring 2027 dates not yet set). Middle Zone ducks: Oct 3-Nov 29 and Dec 12-Dec 13. The DNR has confirmed CWD in wild deer from Gladwin County.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA: DMUs and antlerless limits
| Unit | Name | Antlerless | Use limit | Antler rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 026 | Gladwin county | Open | 4 | None |
BMUs over Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
| BMU | Hunts | Quota 2026 | Points | 2025 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladwin | 1 hunt | 95 | 8–9 | 33 |
Turkey hunting units over Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
| Unit | Reported | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spring NN | 4,156 | 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: Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA and the public tracts around it
Smaller pins show 10 nearby public tracts around Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA. Acres across them: 251,271.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molasses River Flooding No.5 | Flooding or WMA | 1,459 | 2.6 mi | north |
| Bentley Marsh Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 1,445 | 2.9 mi | north |
| Molasses River Flooding No.2 | Flooding or WMA | 1,509 | 8.4 mi | north |
| Molasses River Flooding No.1 | Flooding or WMA | 1,651 | 8.5 mi | north |
| Lame Duck | GEMS | 11,369 | 9.2 mi | north |
| Pinconning Township (Cody-Etsy Road) | State game area | 51 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Kawkawlin Creek Flooding | Flooding or WMA | 2,933 | 12 mi | south |
| Gladwin Forest Management Unit | Forest unit | 230,775 | 12 mi | southwest |
| Fraser Township No.1 | State game area | 46 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Fraser Township No.2 | State game area | 33 | 15 mi | southeast |
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.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA: what is allowed
How access works at Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
This wildlife management area holds water for ducks and other wildlife and is normally surrounded by state forest. Hunt or trap it in season; posted refuges and closures stay off limits.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA: 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.
- Bear bait on public and Commercial Forest land must sit on the ground with no man-made container.
- During the Nov. 15-30 firearm season, ORVs and snowmobiles are off public hunting land 7-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m.
The license bill for Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
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.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA hunting calendar
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA 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 | |
| Black bear | Hunt period 1 (firearm/bait/dogs) | Gladwin BMU | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Period 1, archery | Gladwin BMU | Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| 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 2 | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 14, 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 | Middle Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Middle Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 13, 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 | Middle Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 2 | Middle Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | Middle Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 2 | Middle Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Dec 18, 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 D | Jan 1, 2027 | Feb 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 Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
The 2025 reported total for Gladwin County was 4,585 deer (2,432 antlered). 2022 was the busiest year on the chart (4,833 deer), 2023 the leanest (3,743). License year 2026 is still running; 825 deer reported by Oct. 22. 258 tested and 0 positive: Gladwin County in 2024. Spring 2026 turkey reports for Gladwin County: 247 birds. These numbers cover the country around Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA, not the property alone.
Deer reported near Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 326 | 499 | 825 |
| 2025 | 2,432 | 2,153 | 4,585 |
| 2024 | 2,350 | 2,180 | 4,530 |
| 2023 | 2,086 | 1,657 | 3,743 |
| 2022 | 2,641 | 2,192 | 4,833 |
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA: deer units, 2025
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 026 | 2,432 | 2,153 | 4,585 |
Gladwin County CWD by year
| Year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 258 | 0 |
Gladwin County turkey harvest
| Item | Birds |
|---|---|
| Spring reported | 247 |
| Fall to date | 14 |
| Fall 2025 | 62 |
| Fall hunters | 313 |
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.
Base camps, butchers and DNR desks around Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
Towns first; the services after them are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standish | Arenac | 11 mi | 1,456 | 20,742 |
| Pinconning | Bay | 13 mi | 1,185 | 5,388 |
| Gladwin | Gladwin | 15 mi | 3,132 | 11,255 |
| Beaverton | Gladwin | 16 mi | 1,214 | 9,570 |
County pages that cover this ground: Gladwin County.
Processors, mounts and gun counters near Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
Local DNR and federal offices for Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
The DNR area list points to Gladwin Field 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.
When the hunting day opens and closes at Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA
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.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 Wildlife Management Area: ranges nearby
Drive about 74 miles to Lapeer Shooting Range (Lapeer Pit) for a DNR range. The next cards are clubs nearby.
Set up for trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA hunting questions, short answers
Is Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA under the Lower Peninsula baiting ban?
Deer bait is illegal here. Gladwin County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Is Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA in the North, Middle or South Zone?
Middle Zone for ducks and geese. Shotguns hold 3 shells and fire non-toxic shot.
How many hours do I have to report a Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA deer?
Within 72 hours of recovery or before the animal changes hands.
Can bowhunters skip orange at Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
Hunter pink is an approved alternative; the rule runs Aug. 15 to April 30.
Is an extra permit required for Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
Residents pay $11 for the base license and $40 for the deer combo.
What are the blind rules at Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
From Sept. 1; they must be gone by March 1.
Which division or agency runs Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
The DNR Wildlife Division manages it; the land is a DNR wildlife management area (a flooding or marsh unit).
Which other areas sit within reach of Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
Nearest neighbors: Molasses River Flooding No.5 Wildlife Management Area (3 miles), Bentley Marsh Flooding Wildlife Management Area (3 miles) and Molasses River Flooding No.2 Wildlife Management Area (8 miles).
How far is Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA from Standish?
Gladwin County, roughly 11 miles from Standish.
Is Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA large enough for a full day afield?
Acreage on record: 1,885.
Which deer units take in Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
DMU 026. Gladwin County caps antlerless use at 4.
Are some animals off limits at Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA?
The record lists none, which means all open seasons, within the area rules.
Is Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA in a spring turkey unit?
Spring NN and fall I.
Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA wrap-up
Print the Molasses River Flooding No.3 WMA 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; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: rkramer62 (CC BY 2.0); Peter Sheik (CC BY 2.0).