SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced the waterfowl season dates and zone lines for the 2026-2030 seasons. This decision follows a comprehensive review of scientific data and feedback from waterfowl hunters. Doug McClain, IDNR’s wetland wildlife program manager, emphasized the state’s diverse climate and hunting styles, stating, “These dates and zone lines offer opportunity for all waterfowl hunters across the state.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) mandates that states establish zone lines for a five-year period, with Illinois maintaining four waterfowl hunting zones since 2011. However, increasing support for alternative options has led to changes for the upcoming seasons. The former South-Central and South zones will merge into one South Zone, while other boundaries remain unchanged, as 90% of surveyed hunters agreed with their current zone placement.
A significant change is the introduction of a split within the duck season, which was not possible under the previous four-zone structure. McClain noted, “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.” Hunters also expressed a preference for later season dates, leading to splits in all zones to accommodate this.
The new structure will see duck season start dates similar to previous ones in the North and Central zones, with later end dates due to the split. The South Zone will adopt a start date akin to the former South-Central Zone, with the second segment ending in late January annually.
These changes will take effect in the 2026 season, with maps and specific dates available online. Current season dates and zone lines for 2025-2026 are already set and accessible in IDNR’s hunting and trapping digest or on the Hunt Illinois website.
