Waterfowl Excitement in Guana

By Bidz Dela cruz

When viewed from a helicopter, you will immediately know that the appeal of Guana Lake is not limited to fishing. There is good waterfowl hunting here and seasonal opportunities to gather crabs and shrimp as well.

Guana is fortunately one of the few publicly accessible waterfowl hunting areas in Northeast Florida. September is marked here as an early teal and wood duck hunting season but the regular hunting season begins in November. Hunters are required to check in and out of the Six Mile Landing located off of A1A.  Do not bring your retriever as a hunting companion during the early duck season if you don’t want the surplus of lurking large alligators to feed on it. Wait for the cold weather. During this time, the alligators are less active.

Wildlife Biologist (from FWC) Justin Ellenberger said, “Greenwing teal are the most abundant species with bluewings a close second, behind that, ringnecks.” Ellenberger adds, “Guana Lake is similar to Merritt Island and T.M. Goodwin in that it is an impoundment, where it differs is in its size. Guana Lake is by far the smallest of the three.”

According to Ellenberger, Guana Lake is not managed primarily for waterfowl alone. “The management practices we use for the ducks are also good for the fish. One of the preferred types of vegetation is widgeon grass. In addition to it being an excellent food source for the ducks, it also serves as a nursery for shrimp and other marine life,” he said.

To enhance the growth of desirable plants and at the same time benefit the marine life, the FWC draws down the water level to expose the shorelines to the air and sun after the close of hunting season.  This practice becomes beneficial once the water level is raised with salt water from the Guana River during the early summer.

It is advisable to use boat even if you are hunting for two reasons: alligators and the soft mud.  Of the 2,200 acres, nearly half is good ducks’ habitat. This area is situated in the northern half of the lake. Hunters are allowed to do their thing every Saturday and Wednesday during the waterfowl season.

Ducks are not the only species visited by the hunters in Guana. Hogs and deer are also targeted during archery, muzzleloading and general gun seasons. Adding to these are six small game hunts that start in December.