Read from Department of Natural Resources on August 23, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Natural Resources before you hunt.
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Illinois is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through January 31, 2027, with 48 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.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | 18 |
| Oct 31 – Dec 27 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | 18 | |
| Central Zone3,4 | Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | 18 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 3 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | 18 | |
| South Zone3 | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | 18 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 24 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hen mallards | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Zone · Oct 31–Nov 14 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Zone · Nov 15–Dec 13 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Oct 31–Nov 12 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Nov 13–Dec 27 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · Dec 19–Jan 24 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · Nov 14–Nov 28 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · Nov 29–Dec 6 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Oct 24–Oct 25 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Zone · Dec 19–Jan 3 · IDNR 2026-2027 Digest p.27 — scaup daily limit steps from 1 to 2 during the season. | 2 | 6 |
14 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex.
2Scaup limit is 1/day for the first 15 days in each zone.
34 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 1 scaup (first 15 days), 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex.
44 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup (last 45 days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Possession limit is three times the daily limit by species and sex.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 5 – Sep 13 | 6 Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and cinnamon teal only. Daily and possession limits are for all teal species combined (in the aggregate). | 18 |
1Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and cinnamon teal only. Daily and possession limits are for all teal species combined (in the aggregate).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3,4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 Canada/cackling geese combined. | 9 | |
| Oct 31 – Jan 26 Second Split | 3 | 9 | |
| Central Zone2,5,6,7 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split | 3 Canada/cackling geese combined. | 9 | |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 3 | 9 | |
| South Zone2,8,9 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 | 6 |
| Nov 14 – Jan 31 | 3 Canada/cackling geese combined. | 9 |
1Early season; North & Central zone combined for early season with bag of 5.
2Canada/cackling geese combined.
3Canada Geese regular season, North Zone first split.
4Canada Geese regular season, North Zone second split.
5Canada Geese regular season, Central Zone first split.
6Early Canada Goose season, Central Zone.
7Canada Geese regular season, Central Zone second split.
8Early Canada Goose season, South Zone.
9Canada Geese regular season, South Zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 31 – Jan 26 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 | 6 |
| Central Zone2,3 | Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 | 6 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 2 | 6 | |
| South Zone4 | Nov 14 – Jan 31 | 2 | 6 |
1White-fronted geese (Specklebellies), North Zone.
2White-fronted geese, Central Zone first split.
3White-fronted geese, Central Zone second split.
4White-fronted geese, South Zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 31 – Jan 26 Second Split | 1 | 3 | |
| Central Zone3,4 | Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 1 | 3 | |
| South Zone5 | Nov 14 – Jan 31 | 1 | 3 |
1Concurrent with light goose season; dates inherited from North Zone light goose season first split.
2Concurrent with light goose season; dates inherited from North Zone light goose season second split.
3Concurrent with light goose season; dates inherited from Central Zone light goose season first split.
4Concurrent with light goose season; dates inherited from Central Zone light goose season second split.
5Concurrent with light goose season; dates inherited from South Zone light goose season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 20 Possession limit is unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate). | – |
| Oct 31 – Jan 26 Second Split | 20 Possession limit is unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate). | – | |
| Central Zone1,3,4 | Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split | 20 Possession limit unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate). | – |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 20 Possession limit is unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate). | – | |
| South Zone3,5 | Nov 14 – Jan 31 | 20 Possession limit unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate). | – |
1Possession limit is unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate).
2Light Geese (Snow/Ross's) regular season, North Zone first split.
3Possession limit unlimited. Daily bag limit is for both snow and Ross's geese combined (in the aggregate).
4Light Geese regular season, Central Zone first split.
5[Bulk fix: possession_limit set to NULL — light geese have no federal possession limit in any flyway]
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Jan 27 – Apr 30 | – Unlimited bag and possession. Unplugged shotguns may be used; electronic calling devices may be used; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license are required. | – |
| Central Zone1,3 | Feb 1 – Apr 30 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | – Unlimited bag and possession. Unplugged shotguns may be used; electronic calling devices may be used; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license are required. | – |
| South Zone1,4 | Feb 1 – Apr 30 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | – Unlimited bag and possession. Unplugged shotguns may be used; electronic calling devices may be used; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license are required. | – |
1Unlimited bag and possession. Unplugged shotguns may be used; electronic calling devices may be used; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license are required.
2Snow/Ross's Geese Conservation Order. North Zone: 27 Jan–30 Apr 2027.
3Snow/Ross's Geese Conservation Order. Central Zone: 1 Feb–30 Apr 2027.
4Snow/Ross's Geese Conservation Order. South Zone: 1 Feb–30 Apr 2027.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 31 – Dec 27 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| Central Zone3,4 | Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 3 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| South Zone5,6 | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 24 Second Split | 15 | 45 |
1Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from North Zone duck season first split.
2Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from North Zone duck season second split.
3Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from Central Zone duck season first split.
4Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from Central Zone duck season second split.
5Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from South Zone duck season first split.
6Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from South Zone duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split | 5 Mergansers do not count toward duck bag limit; only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. | 15 |
| Oct 31 – Dec 27 Second Split | 5 Mergansers do not count toward duck bag limit; only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. | 15 | |
| Central Zone1,4,5,6 | Oct 31 – Dec 13 First Split | 5 Only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. Do not count toward duck bag limit. | 15 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 3 Second Split | 5 Mergansers do not count toward duck bag limit; only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. | 15 | |
| South Zone4,7,8,9 | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 5 Only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. Do not count toward duck bag limit. | 15 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 24 Second Split | 5 Only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. Mergansers do not count toward duck bag limit. | 15 |
1Mergansers do not count toward duck bag limit; only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6.
2Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from North Zone duck season first split.
3Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from North Zone duck season second split.
4Only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. Do not count toward duck bag limit.
5Concurrent with duck season Central Zone first split.
6Concurrent with duck season; dates inherited from Central Zone duck season second split.
7Concurrent with duck season South Zone first split.
8Only 2 can be hooded mergansers. Possession limit of hooded mergansers is 6. Mergansers do not count toward duck bag limit.
9Concurrent with duck season. Dates inherited from South Zone duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 17 – Oct 18 | 6 Scaup limit is 2/day. Youth hunters must be 17 or younger. Adult at least 18 must accompany. Same limits as regular season except scaup. | 18 |
| Central Zone1,2 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 | 6 Scaup limit is 2/day. Youth hunters must be 17 or younger. Adult at least 18 must accompany. Same limits as regular season except scaup. | 18 |
| South Zone1,3,4,5 | Nov 7 – Nov 7 First Day · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Scaup limit is 2/day. Same bag limits as regular seasons otherwise. Youth must be 17 or younger; adult at least 18 must accompany; hunters 16+ need federal waterfowl stamps. | 18 |
| Jan 30 – Jan 30 Second Day | 6 Scaup limit is 2/day. Youth hunters must be 17 or younger. Adult at least 18 must accompany. Same limits as regular season except scaup. | 18 |
1Scaup limit is 2/day. Youth hunters must be 17 or younger. Adult at least 18 must accompany. Same limits as regular season except scaup.
2Youth Waterfowl (Ducks, Coots, Mergansers & Geese). Hunters 18 and older may not hunt waterfowl during Youth days unless those seasons are open.
3Scaup limit is 2/day. Same bag limits as regular seasons otherwise. Youth must be 17 or younger; adult at least 18 must accompany; hunters 16+ need federal waterfowl stamps.
4Youth Waterfowl (Ducks, Coots, Mergansers & Geese). South Zone has two separate dates: 7 Nov 2026 and 30 Jan 2027.
5Youth Waterfowl South Zone second date.
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 August 23, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.