The waterfowl hunting season structure for 2014, recommended by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, was approved recently by the Natural Resources Board. Both an early teal and regular duck season will be offered in 2014. To help hunters understand new seasons and regulations, the department will host an online waterfowl season chat Aug. 27 at noon. Wildlife and regulations experts will be on hand to answer any questions related to 2014 waterfowl hunting seasons. For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “chat.”
In 2014, Wisconsin will be divided into three duck hunting zones, each with 60-day seasons. There will be split seasons in the Southern and Mississippi River duck and goose zones.
The department will also offer an early teal-only duck hunting season in 2014 that will run from Sept. 1 through 7 statewide. Hunters will not be required to purchase any additional licenses or permits, other than those required for hunting ducks in the regular waterfowl season. A duck identification tool will be offered to help hunters identify teal and ensure that the early teal season leads to only teal harvest.
In addition, 20 days will be added to the end of the current 70-day dove hunting season.
In 2014, the duck hunting season structure is as follows: Northern Zone – Sept. 27 to Nov. 25; Southern Zone – Oct. 4 to Oct. 12 and Oct 18. to Dec 7; and Mississippi River Zone – Sept. 27 to Oct. 5 and Oct. 18 to Dec 7.
Opening day shooting hours for duck season will begin at 9 a.m.
In 2014, the season structure for Canada goose hunting is as follows: Early September Canada goose season -Sept. 1 to 15, with a daily bag limit of five geese; Northern Exterior Zone – Sept. 16 to Dec. 16, with a daily bag limit of two geese; Southern Exterior Zone – Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, and Oct. 18 to Dec. 21, with a daily bag limit of two geese; Mississippi River Subzone – Sept. 27 to Oct. 5 and Oct. 18 to Jan. 8, with a daily bag limit of two geese; Horicon Zone period 1 – Sept. 16 to Nov. 2, with a daily bag limit of two geese and total season harvest limit of 12 geese; and Horicon Zone period 2 – Nov. 3 to Dec. 16, with a daily bag limit of two geese and total season harvest limit of 12 geese.
The Horicon goose hunting zone has been reduced in size, with areas north of Hwy. 23 and west of Hwy. 73 now included within the Exterior Zone. Horicon Zone goose hunters will be required to slit or punch their goose permit and report their harvest using 1-800-99-GOOSE (46673) within 48 hours of harvest. This is similar to the process for the Exterior Zone and early goose season.
For more information regarding the early teal season, a new duck identification tool and the 2014 migratory game bird season structure, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “waterfowl.”