Get ready for the 2025 waterfowl hunting seasons
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of the regular goose and duck hunting seasons in September.
The regular goose season opened 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 in the Northern Zone is Sept. 16 through Dec. 16. In the Southern Zone it’s Sept. 16 through Oct. 12, Oct. 18 through Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 through Jan. 2. In the Mississippi Zone the season dates are Sept. 16 through Oct. 12, Oct. 18 through Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 through Jan. 2.
For duck hunting, the season in the Northern Zone runs from Sept. 27 through Nov. 25. In the Southern Zone, the season dates are Oct. 4-12, then Oct. 18 through Dec. 7. In the Open Water Zone the season is Oct. 18 through Dec. 16.
The daily bag limit statewide is six ducks, including no more than four mallards, of which only two may be hens, three pintails, three wood ducks, two black ducks, two redheads and 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. In the Northern Zone, it’s two per day Sept. 27 through Nov. 10 and then one per day Nov. 11-25. In the Southern Zone, it’s one per day from Oct. 4-12 and Oct. 18-23 and two per day Oct. 24 through Dec. 7. In the Open Water Zone, it’s two scaup per day Oct. 18 through Dec. 1 and one per day Dec. 2-16.
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 surcharge. The purchase will be noted on their license, but the stamp itself will arrive in the mail later.
HIP program
Waterfowl and other migratory bird hunters must register each year with the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) 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.
HPAI virus
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 and 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.
PFAS advisory
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, https://dnr.wisconsin. gov/topic/PFAS/Advisories.html.
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, https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/ topic/hunt/waterfowl.
