FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 16, 2025
Contact: Taylor Finger, DNR Game Bird Specialist
[email protected] or 608-212-7923

 Get Ready For The 2025 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

Prepare for the Wisconsin waterfowl seasons opening soon. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of the regular goose and duck hunting seasons in September.

Regular Goose Season

The regular goose season opens on Sept. 16 statewide, and the daily bag limit is three Canada geese for the first portion of the season. During the holiday hunt, the daily bag limit increases to five birds in the Southern and Mississippi zones. Wisconsin's regular goose season dates vary by zone, so hunters should know which zone they plan to hunt. 

If hunting Canada geese during the regular Canada goose season, a Regular Canada goose permit is required.

The regular Canada goose season structure is as follows:

• Northern Zone – Sept. 16 to Dec. 16
• Southern Zone – Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, Oct. 18 to Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, 2026
• Mississippi Zone – Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, Oct. 18 to Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, 2026

Regular Duck Season

The regular duck season structure is as follows:

• Northern Zone – Sept. 27 to Nov. 25
• Southern Zone – Oct. 4 to 12 and Oct. 18 to Dec. 7
• Open Water Zone – Oct. 18 to Dec. 16

The daily bag limit statewide is six ducks, including no more than:

• Four mallards, of which two may be hens.
• Three pintail
• Three wood ducks
• Two black ducks
• Two redheads
• Two canvasbacks
• For species of ducks not listed, such as teal and ring necks, the combined total with all other species may not exceed six ducks. Hunters are allowed five mergansers, of which two may be hooded mergansers.

Per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations, the daily scaup bag limit by zone is as follows:

• Northern Zone – 2 scaup/day, Sept. 27 to Nov. 10 and 1 scaup/day, Nov. 11-25
• Southern Zone – 1 scaup/day, Oct. 4 to 12, Oct. 18 to 23 and 2 scaup/day, Oct. 24 to Dec. 7
• Open Water Zone – 2 scaup/day, Oct. 18 to Dec. 1 and 1 scaup/day, Dec. 2 to Dec. 16

License Requirements

Licenses and stamps required for duck hunting include a Wisconsin small game license, a Wisconsin waterfowl stamp and a federal migratory bird stamp. The federal duck stamp costs $25 and can be purchased at a U.S. Post Office or via Go Wild or a DNR license vendor for an additional $3.50 surcharge. The purchase will be noted on their license, but the stamp itself will arrive in the mail later.

Harvest Information Program (HIP)

Waterfowl and other migratory bird hunters must register each year with the federal Harvest Information Program and may receive a survey regarding their harvests. HIP registration is free and can be done at the time of license purchase or added later if a hunter decides to pursue migratory game birds.

State licenses and stamps, permits and HIP registration are all available through Go Wild.  

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Waterfowl can be infected with the avian influenza virus without showing signs of disease. The DNR recommends the following precautionary measures:

• Avoid handling sick or found dead birds.
• Prevent dogs from contacting sick or found dead birds.
• Wear rubber gloves when handling game.
• Field dress in ventilated areas.
• Always wash hands and equipment thoroughly with soap and water.

This strain of HPAI has not been shown to pose a food safety risk. However, hunters should always ensure proper handling of game meat, and harvested birds should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not let hunting dogs consume any raw game meat or found dead birds.

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

The DNR also reminds hunters who hunt on Green Bay that a new PFAS advisory is in place for harvested mallards and wood ducks. More information on current PFAS advisories can be found on the DNR's PFAS Consumption Advisory webpage. 

More information on waterfowl hunting, including how to find places to hunt, Learn To Hunt opportunities and regulations, can be found on the DNR's Waterfowl Hunting webpage.