MADISON — Thanks to input from hunters and new scientific research, changes are coming to the 2021 migratory bird hunting season. On April 14 the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) voted unanimously for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to move forward with proposed rules for the 2021 migratory bird season framework and regulations.
Highlights from the approved season structure include:
● A new duck zone structure for the 2021 season. A new Open Water Zone has been created in the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, and the former Mississippi River Zone has been absorbed into the South Zone.
● The South Canada Goose Zone has a daily bag limit of three Canada geese during the first portion of the season, and a daily bag limit of five Canada geese during the Holiday Hunt.
● Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s season framework, there will be a scaup bag limit of one scaup for 15 days and two scaup for 45 days.
“The 2021 season frameworks are based on the most current scientific data, as well as on input from the public, conservation and hunting groups and results from a waterfowl hunter survey,” said Taylor Finger, DNR migratory bird ecologist. “We used all the tools in our toolbox to collect public input while adhering to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Virtual meetings and expanded online outreach increased our engagement with our customers. In total, we received more than 1,500 comments regarding the 2021 waterfowl season proposals.”
The public plays a crucial role in setting the waterfowl season structure. View the 2021 public input results and comments at widnr.widen.net/s/trltqzq29q/2021-waterfowl-season-public-input-summary. Learn more about waterfowl hunting at: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/waterfowl.
2021 migratory bird hunting season
Early season dates are as follows:
● Early Teal: Sept. 1 to Sept. 9, six bird limit per day, sunrise to sunset shooting hours
● Early Goose: Sept. 1 to Sept. 15, five bird limit per day
● Mourning Dove: Sept. 1 to Nov. 29, 15 bird limit per day
● Woodcock: Sept. 25 to Nov. 8, three bird limit per day
Duck season dates and bag limits are as follows. Opening day shooting hours will begin one-half hour before sunrise for all regular waterfowl hunting seasons.
● Youth Hunt: Sept. 18-19
● North Zone: Sept. 25 to Nov. 23
● South Zone: Oct. 2 to Oct. 10 and Oct. 16 to Dec. 5
● Open Water Zone: Oct. 16 to Dec. 14
The daily bag limit statewide is six ducks, including no more than:
● Mallard: daily bag limit of 4, only two may be a hen
● Black Duck: daily bag limit of 2
● Canvasback: daily bag limit of 2
● Wood Duck: daily bag limit of 3
● Pintail: daily bag limit of 1
● Redhead: daily bag limit of 2
● Merganser: daily bag limit of 5
● Any duck species not specified: daily bag limit of 6
There is a 60-day restrictive scaup bag limit (federal restriction; 15 days at one scaup/day and 45 days at two scaup/day):
● North Zone: Sept. 25 to Oct. 9 - 1 scaup/day; Oct. 10 to Nov. 23 - 2 scaup/day
● South Zone: Oct. 2 to Oct. 10 - 1 scaup/day; Oct. 16 to Oct. 21 - 1 scaup/day; Oct. 22 to Dec. 5 - 2 scaup/day
● Open Water Zone: Oct. 16 to Oct. 30 - 1 scaup/day; Oct. 31 to Dec. 14 - 2 scaup/day
Regular goose season dates are as follows (92 days total):
● North Zone: Sept. 16 to Dec. 16- 3 Canada geese/day
● South Zone: Sept. 16 to Oct. 10 - 3 Canada geese/day; Oct. 16 to Dec. 5 - 3 Canada geese/day; Dec. 20 to Jan. 4 - 5 Canada geese/day
● Mississippi Zone: Oct. 2 to Oct. 10 - 3 Canada geese/day; Oct. 16 to Jan. 4 - 3 Canada geese/day
