Illinois DNR Releases New Waterfowl Season Dates and Zones for 2026

Each state has its own set of laws when looking at conservation and hunting. In Illinois regionalization or zones have become the standard for hunters in the state, that is when it comes waterfowl, essentially ducks and geese. Now the Illinois DNR has released it's latest standards, zones, and hunting dates for 2026 through 2030. If you’re a waterfowl hunter, it’s important to understand how these changes might affect your plans. Here’s a breakdown in plain English.

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What Are Waterfowl Zones?

Illinois is a big state with very different weather and habitats from north to south. Because of this, waterfowl migrate through the state at different times. To make hunting fair and to help protect wildlife, the state is divided into zones.

For 2026–2030, there are three main duck and goose zones:

1. North Zone – Covers the northern part of Illinois, stretching roughly from the Indiana border west to the Mississippi River, including areas around Peotone, Wilmington, and I-80.
2. Central Zone – Lies south of the North Zone and goes down toward the Mississippi River near the southern tip of Illinois and I-70.
3. South Zone – A combination of the old South-Central and South Zones, covering the southernmost parts of the state.

New for 2026: Split Duck Seasons

Hunters asked for it, and IDNR listened! For the first time in years, Illinois will have split duck seasons in all zones.

• What does that mean? Instead of one long hunting period, the season is divided into two segments. This allows hunters to enjoy later end dates while still following the migration patterns of ducks.
• Why it matters: By splitting the season, hunters can plan trips around peak waterfowl activity, and wildlife managers can make sure populations stay healthy.

“A split duck season is not permitted under the federal framework if Illinois had continued with four zones, so these changes went hand in hand. In addition, hunters generally preferred later season dates, so splits were implemented in all zones to allow for later end dates for duck seasons. Those preferences were balanced with biological data to avoid mismatches of season timing and peak waterfowl abundance.”

-Doug McClain, IDNR’s wetland wildlife program manager

When Can You Hunt Waterfowl in Illinois?

Here’s a quick overview of duck season start and end dates by zone for 2026–2027:

• North Zone: Sept 5 – Dec 27 (split into two segments: Oct 24–25 & Oct 31–Dec 27)
• Central Zone: Sept 5 – Jan 3 (Oct 31–Dec 13 & Dec 19–Jan 3)
• South Zone: Sept 5 – Jan 31 (Nov 14–Dec 20 & Jan 9–31)

These dates repeat with minor adjustments through 2030. Full dates by year and zone are available here. The new zones and dates aren’t just paperwork, they’re about making hunting safer, fairer, and more enjoyable, while also protecting Illinois’ ducks and geese. These guidelines are meant help maintain healthy populations and ensure that future generations can enjoy the same harvesting opportunities. Follow this link for details on the 25-26 season.

What You Need to Hunt in Illinois

Before heading out, make sure you have the right credentials:

• Illinois Hunting License – required for all hunters.
• State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp – $15, required for hunters 18+.
• Federal Duck Stamp – $25, required for hunters 16+ across the U.S.
• HIP Certification – free, required to track migratory bird harvests.

I love to get out and hunt but some states have a little more reading to do first. That being said, whether you’re a seasoned hunter or new to waterfowl hunting, knowing the zones and dates is the first step to a successful and responsible waterfowl season in Illinois, so this information should help get you started.