Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Approves 2020 Migratory Bird Hunting Season Framework And Regulations

Highlights Include Changes To Duck Opening Dates And Hen Mallard Bag Limits

The 2020 Wisconsin migratory bird season structure has been set by the Natural Resources Board.Photo credit: Eugene Hester/USFWS

Contact(s): Taylor Finger, DNR migratory game bird ecologist, 608-266-8841, Taylor.Finger@wisconsin.gov
Jeff Williams, assistant migratory game bird ecologist, 608-622-6811, Jeffrey.Williams@wisconsin.gov
April 1, 2020 at 2:51:30 pm

[EDITOR’S ADVISORY: This news release has been updated to correct the dates and zones for the 60-day restrictive scaup bag limit table.] 

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Wednesday voted unanimously for the Department of Natural Resources to move forward with proposed rules for the 2020 migratory bird season framework and regulations. Thanks to input from hunters and new scientific research, Wisconsin will see some notable changes.

Highlights from the approved season structure include:

• North duck zone will open one week earlier than last season, resulting in two statewide openers, one for the North on Sept. 26 and one for the South and Mississippi zones on Oct. 3. The regular duck season will run for 60 days;
• A 92-day regular goose season with a second split in the South Canada goose zone resulting in a goose season that is open during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays;
• An increase in the hen mallard daily bag limit (from one to two) based on US Fish and Wildlife Service season framework; and
• A decrease in the scaup bag limit to one scaup for 15 days and two scaup for 45 days based on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service season framework.
• Shooting hours for all migratory bird seasons are open from one half hour before sunrise to sunset with the exception of the early teal season. Shooting hours for early teal open at sunrise and close at sunset.

“These season frameworks were based on the most current scientific data and input we received from the public, input from conservation and hunting groups and results from a waterfowl hunter survey,” said Taylor Finger, DNR migratory bird ecologist. “We expanded our outreach efforts in 2020 using social media to increase our engagement with our users, and we saw great attendance at statewide public hearings. In total, we received more than 2,100 comments regarding the 2020 waterfowl season proposals.”

Additionally, the NRB set a new zone structure to go into effect for the 2021-2025 seasons. The board approved a three-zone/one-split structure that includes the North Zone, South Zone and an Open Water Zone. The Open Water Zone falls 500 feet from shore on the coasts of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. This decision moves the previously held Mississippi River Zone into the South Zone beginning fall of 2021. Learn more about waterfowl hunting here.

The public plays a crucial role in setting the waterfowl season structure, and Finger thanked those who submitted a comment or attended a meeting. View the 2020 public input results and comments here.

Early season dates are as follows:

Duck season dates and bag limits are as follows. Opening day shooting hours will begin one-half hour before sunrise for all regular waterfowl hunting seasons.

The daily bag limit statewide is six ducks, including no more than:

There is a 60-day restrictive scaup bag limit (federal restriction; 15 days at one scaup/day and 45 days at two scaup/day):

Regular goose season dates are as follows for the Exterior Zone (92 days total):