Hunting Iowa this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Iowa is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 20 through May 1, 2027, with 42 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Natural Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 9 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 8 Second Split | |||
| Central Zone | Oct 10 – Oct 16 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 24 – Dec 15 Second Split | |||
| South Zone | Oct 17 – Oct 23 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 31 – Dec 22 Second Split |
Species-by-species limits are being verified against Department of Natural Resources. Dates and daily bag limits above are confirmed.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 5 – Sep 13 | – | – |
| Sep 5 – Sep 13 Special September Teal |
1Special September Teal season, statewide
2Statewide Special September Teal season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 26 – Oct 11 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 8 Second Split | |||
| Dec 12 – Jan 9 Third Split | |||
| Central Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 18 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 24 – Dec 15 Second Split | |||
| Dec 19 – Jan 16 Third Split | |||
| South Zone | Oct 10 – Oct 25 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 31 – Dec 22 Second Split | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 23 Third Split |
1Geese season (Canada geese and associated dark geese)
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 20 – Oct 5 Light Geese - Segment 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Light Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 13 – Jan 10 Light Geese - Segment 3 (Late) | |||
| Central Zone1 | Sep 27 – Oct 12 Light Geese - Segment 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Light Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 20 – Jan 17 Light Geese - Segment 3 (Late) | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 19 Light Geese - Segment 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Light Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 27 – Jan 24 Light Geese - Segment 3 (Late) |
1Snow, blue, Ross geese. [Bulk fix: possession_limit set to NULL — light geese have no federal possession limit in any flyway]
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Jan 24 – May 1 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1Light Goose Conservation Order; ends May 1, 2027
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Sep 27 – Oct 3 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Coots - Split 2 | |||
| Central Zone | Oct 4 – Oct 10 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Coots - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone | Oct 11 – Oct 17 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Coots - Split 2 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 27 – Oct 3 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Mergansers - Split 2 | |||
| Central Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 10 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Mergansers - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 17 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Mergansers - Split 2 |
1Max 2 hooded mergansers
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 | – | – |
| Central Zone1 | Oct 3 – Oct 4 | – | – |
| South Zone1 | Oct 10 – Oct 11 | – | – |
1Youth Waterfowl weekend
Season dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on July 17, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.