Duck Seasons, Zones Approved by Natural Resource Commission
Posted: 08/14/2012

The Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved the migratory game bird hunting seasons, zones and regulations during its Aug. 9 meeting. 

Changes of note include adding a third waterfowl hunting zone along the Missouri River, reducing the size of Canada goose closed hunting zones in certain counties, and increasing the daily bag limit for scaup.

CHANGES

• A third waterfowl hunting zone was established in Iowa this year. This new Missouri River Zone includes the lands and waters in Iowa that are west of I-29 and north of Hwy. 175. Excluding this change, the North and South Waterfowl Hunting Zones remain the same as they have been in recent years. The duck and goose hunting season dates in the Missouri River Zone are different from the North and South Zones.
• Canada Goose Closed Hunting Zones in Worth and Winnebago counties, Monona and Woodbury counties, Van Buren County, Bremer County, and Butler County have been reduced in size. New closed hunting zone maps can be found at: www.iowadnr.gov/huntingregs
• The scaup limit was raised from 2 to 4 per day.

SEASONS
North Zone
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: Sept. 22-26 and Oct. 13-Dec. 6
Youth Waterfowl: Oct. 6-7
Canada Geese, Brant: Sept. 29-Jan. 4

South Zone
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: Sept. 22-26 and Oct. 20-Dec. 13
Youth Waterfowl: Oct. 13-14
Canada Geese, Brant: Oct. 6-Jan. 11

New: Missouri River Zone
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: Sept. 22-26 and Oct. 27-Dec. 20
Youth Waterfowl: Oct. 20-21
Canada Geese, Brant: Oct. 13-Jan.18

Statewide
Doves: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

For a complete list of all the migratory game bird hunting seasons, bag limits, hunting zones, maps and regulations, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/MigratoryGameBirds.aspx