Teal

Blue winged teal in a marsh with it's reflection in the water.

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Hunting - Migratory Game Birds

Teal are the smallest ducks that migrate through Iowa. During early fall, both species are in non-breeding or eclipse plumage, so the drakes and hens of both species look like hens. Bluewings, as their name suggests have a sky-blue shoulder patch readily visible in flight. Greenwings, which are slightly smaller than bluewings, have brown feathers on their shoulders where the bluewings have their blue patch. Greenwings get their name from the longer green feathers that lie behind the shoulder feathers.

Teal are speedy and erratic fliers.  Flocks will dart around a marsh in unison, like a school of minnows. Quite often teal fly low over a marsh making one or two swings before abruptly touching down.

Hunters can benefit from preseason scouting. Proper identification of duck features and habits, particularly in flight, are critical to ensuring only teal are shot during this special season. 

The following off-site links provide additional information about Blue-winged teal as well as other ducks.

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Teal Hunting in Iowa

Iowans have the opportunity to participate in a special teal-only season that is timed to take advantage of the peak migration of teal through Iowa. Although all teal species are legal during this special season, blue-winged teal will be, by far, the most prevalent in Iowa.

Bluewings are a common nester throughout the prairie pothole region of North America and the second most abundant duck. The mallard is number one. Blue-winged teal are also Iowa’s earliest migrating duck, leaving their nesting grounds in August and September.

  • Special September Teal Season: Iowa Hunting Seasons, also found at the bottom of this page
  • Shooting Hours: Sunrise to sunset (NOT regular duck season's half-hour before sunrise)
  • Bag Limits: Daily limit of 6, possession limit of 18
  • Locations: Entire state is open to hunting
  • License and Fees: Small game license, habitat fee, Iowa migratory game fee and federal duck stamp (if required)
  • Ammo Requirements: Non-toxic shot
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Where to Hunt

A teal season will be different from the regular duck season.  With teal favoring shallow water and arriving too early in the year for many traditional waterfowling locations to be holding water, preseason scouting is a must.  The Wetland Habitat Conditions report will be posted just prior to the season, as well as the Waterfowl Migration Survey.  

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Federal Duck Stamp

Beginning July 2019, Iowa migratory bird hunters can buy their Federal Duck Stamp in the form of an E-Stamp through all Iowa license vendors and through the Go Outdoors Iowa online portal.

The E-Stamp is now valid for the entire hunting season. The physical stamp will be mailed to the address on file. Hunters are responsible to make sure their address on file is current

Questions? Visit the US Fish & Wildlife Service website.

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Harvest Information Program (HIP)

Hunters who plan to pursue migratory game birds are required to register for Harvest Information Program (HIP). Migratory game birds mean more than ducks and geese; it includes ducks, geese, coots, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe.

Once registered, hunters will need to write their confirmation number on the line provided at the top of their hunting license as proof of registration. 

Need help? Check out our HIP Guide for Mobile Devices and our HIP Guide via Website submission. 

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Iowa's Hunting Regulations

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Get Your Hunting License Online

Hunter walking a field in the fall.
Go Outdoors Iowa

It’s so easy to buy your fishing or hunting license online, or visit local retailers and bait shops to buy your hunting or fishing licenses today.

Purchase your license
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Interactive Hunting Atlas

Plan Your Hunting Trip

Our interactive hunting atlas was made to make it easier for you to find areas open to public hunting. Start planning your next Iowa hunting trip!

Access the interactive hunting atlas
Screenshot showing Iowa and different public hunting areas outlined, then with popup information.

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Iowa Hunting Seasons

We work hard to keep our calendars current, but always refer to Iowa's hunting regulations booklet for official, legal season dates. For additional information, review Iowa's hunting regulations and laws.

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