Wisconsin · Duck · 2026–27 Edition
Wisconsin Duck Season 2026–27: Zones, Dates, Bag Limits & Shooting Hours
Sep 1 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons by zone
| Season / Segment | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Early Teal | Statewide | Sep 1 – Sep 9 |
| Youth Waterfowl | Statewide | Sep 19 – Sep 20 |
| Regular Duck | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 |
| Regular Duck · Segment 1 | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 11 |
| Regular Duck · Segment 2 | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 17 – Dec 6 |
| Regular Duck | Open Water Duck Zone | Oct 17 – Dec 15 |
02 — Bag limits
| Statewide | See WI DNR migratory game bird regulations for daily and possession limits (federal 6-duck framework with species sub-limits) |
|---|
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 1, 2026) 05:51 — 19:33
Rule: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (standard federal migratory-bird framework) — confirm with WI DNR. (Shooting-hours rule not yet independently verified against the agency.) Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Wisconsin sun times for any other date.
04 — License, HIP & Duck Stamp
Duck hunters in Wisconsin need three things (in addition to any state-specific waterfowl stamp): a Wisconsin hunting license, free federal HIP registration (Harvest Information Program) and a Federal Duck Stamp — required for hunters 16+ under federal law.
Wisconsin licenses & permits — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources →
05 — FAQ
When does duck season open in Wisconsin?
The 2026–27 opener is September 1, 2026. Waterfowl seasons run under federal flyway frameworks with state-set zone splits — see the zone table above.
When does duck season end in Wisconsin?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is December 15, 2026. Late-zone and second-segment closes vary — see the zone table.
Do I need a Federal Duck Stamp?
Yes. Every waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry a signed current-year Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp). It is available at U.S. Post Offices, many license retailers, most National Wildlife Refuges, and at fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp.
Verified · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Three duck zones (Northern / Southern / Open Water) per WI DNR 2026 migratory bird seasons. Coot season is the same as duck season for each zone. Daily/possession bag limits are set in the WI DNR migratory game bird regulations (not printed on the dates page).