Waterfowl hunters and anyone else with an interest in Wisconsin’s fall waterfowl hunting season structure are encouraged to take a look at proposed season structure and submit feedback during March meetings and via written comment.
There a few notable changes in 2018 compared to past proposals, which include:
- North Zone duck season opening on Sept. 29, which is a week later than previous seasons;
- regular reason Canada Goose Season bag limit increase to 3 geese/day; and
- elimination of the Horicon Canada Goose Hunting Zone.
For viewers who may have missed a Facebook Live session with Taylor Finger, Department of Natural Resources migratory bird ecologist, this helpful presentation is now available on the department’s YouTube page. To view proposed waterfowl seasons and other information regarding migratory bird hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “waterfowl.”
Public hearings will be held March 12-15 in addition to written comments accepted through March 16. following this public comment period, final season structure will be set by the Natural Resources Board at its April 11 meeting in Madison.
Public hearings will be held at the following locations starting at 7 p.m.:
- Monday, March 13, La Crosse – State Office Building, Rooms B-19 and B-20, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road;
- Tuesday, March 14, Rice Lake – AmeriVu Inn, 1710 South Main St.;
- Wednesday, March 15, Appleton – Agricultural Services Center, main conference room, 3369 West Brewster St.; and
- Thursday, March 16 – Pewaukee – Wildwood Lodge, N14 W24121 Tower Place.
Department of Natural Resources staff will accept public comments regarding proposed waterfowl season structure at each public hearing. If you would like to provide input directly or are unable to attend a hearing, written comments will be accepted through midnight Friday, March 16. Written comments can be sent to Trenton Rohrer, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or via email to [email protected] or by calling 608-261-6458.
Proposed 2018 migratory bird season structure and daily bag limits
Proposed Early Migratory Bird Seasons:
- Early Teal – Sept. 1 – 7 (6 bird/day) ;
- Early Goose – Sept. 1 – 15 (5 bird/day);
- Mourning Dove – Sept. 1 – Nov. 29 (15 bird/day); and
- Woodcock – Sept. 22 – Nov. 5 (3 bird/day).
Proposed regular duck season structure and daily bag limits
Proposed Opening Day Shooting Hours: Opening day shooting hours will begin one-half hour before sunrise for all regular waterfowl hunting seasons.
- Youth Hunt – Sept. 15-16;
- North Zone – Sept. 29 to Nov. 27;
- South Zone – Sept. 29 to Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 2 (five-day split); and
- Mississippi Zone – Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 4 (seven-day split, closed Oct. 6-12).
The proposed daily bag limit statewide would be six ducks, including no more than:
- four mallards, of which only one may be a hen;
- one black duck;
- two canvasbacks;
- three wood ducks;
- two pintails;
- three scaup; and
- two redheads.
Five mergansers may be harvested daily, of which no more than two may be hooded; 15 coot may be harvested daily.
Proposed Canada goose regular season structure and daily bag limits
Proposed daily bag limits:
- Three geese each in the Exterior zone.
Exterior Zone (92 days total):
- North – Sept. 16 to Dec. 16;
- South –
Sept. 16 to Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 21
Or
Sept. 16 to Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 16 to Jan. 3
- Mississippi – Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 and Oct. 13 to Jan. 3.
Proposed structure includes the elimination of the Horicon Zone to create a statewide Exterior Zone.
Snow/Blue Geese, Ross’ Geese, Brant, White-fronted Geese and other geese season structure and daily bag limits
Proposed daily bag limits:
- 20 white geese (snow/blue geese and ross’ geese);
- one brant; and
- one Greater White-Fronted Geese.
Exterior Zone (92 days total):
- North – Sept. 16 to Dec. 16;
- South –
Sept. 16 to Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 21
Or
Sept. 16 to Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 16 to Jan. 3
- Miss. – Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 and Oct. 13 to Jan. 3.
Coot, moorhen, rail, and snipe season structure and daily bag limits
Season structure for coot, moorhen, rail, and snipe will be the same as wild ducks in the zone in which you hunt.
Proposed Daily Bag Limits:
- 15 coot and moorhen;
- 25 sora and Virginia rail; and
- eight snipe.
