ILLINOIS · DUCKS & WATERFOWL · 2026–27
Illinois ducks & waterfowl
season dates.
Separate duck and goose zones, complete splits, changing scaup limits, early teal, youth dates and the light-goose order.
NEW 2026–30 ZONES
Use the correct duck or goose map
The former South-Central and South zones are combined as South. North, Central and South now have split duck schedules. The North DUCK boundary differs from North GOOSE around Will/Grundy; choose the map for the animal. Scaup limits change after the first 15 open duck days, and split-season gaps remain closed.
Source: IDNR: 2026–30 waterfowl zones and season plan ↗; IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks — North (1 scaup/day)Open now · through Nov. 12Legal waterfowl shotgun / equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 Oct. 31 – Nov. 12, 2026 | North DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 1 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags.source · source |
| Ducks — North (2 scaup/day)Opens Nov. 13 (in 9 days)Legal waterfowl shotgun / equipment | Nov. 13 – Dec. 27, 2026 | North DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags.source · source |
| Mergansers — NorthOpen now · through Dec. 27Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 Oct. 31 – Dec. 27, 2026 | North DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded; 15 possession, at most 6 hooded. Separate from the duck bag.source · source |
| Coots — NorthOpen now · through Dec. 27Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 Oct. 31 – Dec. 27, 2026 | North DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 15 daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| Canada goose — NorthOpen now · through Jan. 26Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 Oct. 31, 2026 – Jan. 26, 2027 | North GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 3 daily; 9 possession.source · source |
| Snow / blue / Ross’s geese — NorthOpen now · through Jan. 26Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 Oct. 31, 2026 – Jan. 26, 2027 | North GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 20 combined daily; unlimited possession.source · source |
| Brant — NorthOpen now · through Jan. 26Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 Oct. 31, 2026 – Jan. 26, 2027 | North GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 1 daily; 3 possession.source · source |
| White-fronted goose — NorthOpen now · through Jan. 26Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31, 2026 – Jan. 26, 2027 | North GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 2 daily; 6 possession.source · source |
| Early Canada goose — NorthClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment | Sept. 1 – Sept. 15, 2026 | North GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 5 daily; 15 possession.source · source |
| Light goose conservation order — NorthOpens Jan. 27, 2027Conservation-order legal equipment | Jan. 27 – April 30, 2027 | North GOOSE zone. During this order only: unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed; no federal duck stamp required. Illinois waterfowl stamp and hunting license required unless exempt; confirm HIP. Hours half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Other goose and duck seasons are not extended. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Approved non-toxic shot and exact property rules still apply. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | Unlimited daily and possession; snow/blue/Ross’s geese only.source · source |
| Youth waterfowl — NorthClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 17 – Oct. 18, 2026 | Youth waterfowl zone; use official maps. Youth 17 or younger; adult 18+ accompanies. Adults cannot hunt waterfowl/coots unless another season is concurrently open. Hunting license/HIP unless exempt; no stamps under 16, federal stamp at 16+. Youth scaup limit is 2/day. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags. Mergansers 5 (2 hooded), possession 15 (6 hooded); coots 15/45. Goose bags follow regular seasons; confirm the correct goose boundary. Regular goose bags: Canada 3/9; snow/blue/Ross’s 20 combined daily, unlimited possession; brant 1/3; white-fronted 2/6. These goose bags do not extend regular season dates.source · source |
| Ducks — Central (1 scaup/day)Open now · through Nov. 14Legal waterfowl shotgun / equipment | Oct. 31 – Nov. 14, 2026 | Central DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 1 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags.source · source |
| Ducks — Central (2 scaup/day)Opens Nov. 15 (in 11 days)Legal waterfowl shotgun / equipment | Nov. 15 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Central DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags.source · source |
| Mergansers — CentralOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Central DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded; 15 possession, at most 6 hooded. Separate from the duck bag.source · source |
| Coots — CentralOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Central DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 15 daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| Canada goose — CentralOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Central GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 3 daily; 9 possession.source · source |
| Snow / blue / Ross’s geese — CentralOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Central GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 20 combined daily; unlimited possession.source · source |
| Brant — CentralOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Central GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 1 daily; 3 possession.source · source |
| White-fronted goose — CentralOpen now · through Dec. 13Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 31 – Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Central GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 2 daily; 6 possession.source · source |
| Early Canada goose — CentralClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment | Sept. 1 – Sept. 15, 2026 | Central GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 5 daily; 15 possession.source · source |
| Light goose conservation order — CentralOpens Feb. 1, 2027Conservation-order legal equipment | Feb. 1 – April 30, 2027 | Central GOOSE zone. During this order only: unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed; no federal duck stamp required. Illinois waterfowl stamp and hunting license required unless exempt; confirm HIP. Hours half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Other goose and duck seasons are not extended. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Approved non-toxic shot and exact property rules still apply. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | Unlimited daily and possession; snow/blue/Ross’s geese only.source · source |
| Youth waterfowl — CentralClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment | Oct. 24 – Oct. 25, 2026 | Youth waterfowl zone; use official maps. Youth 17 or younger; adult 18+ accompanies. Adults cannot hunt waterfowl/coots unless another season is concurrently open. Hunting license/HIP unless exempt; no stamps under 16, federal stamp at 16+. Youth scaup limit is 2/day. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags. Mergansers 5 (2 hooded), possession 15 (6 hooded); coots 15/45. Goose bags follow regular seasons; confirm the correct goose boundary. Regular goose bags: Canada 3/9; snow/blue/Ross’s 20 combined daily, unlimited possession; brant 1/3; white-fronted 2/6. These goose bags do not extend regular season dates.source · source |
| Ducks — South (1 scaup/day)Opens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl shotgun / equipment | Nov. 14 – Nov. 28, 2026 | South DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 1 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags.source · source |
| Ducks — South (2 scaup/day)Opens Nov. 29, 2026Legal waterfowl shotgun / equipment | Nov. 29 – Dec. 6, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 24, 2027 | South DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags.source · source |
| Mergansers — SouthOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 14 – Dec. 6, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 24, 2027 | South DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded; 15 possession, at most 6 hooded. Separate from the duck bag.source · source |
| Coots — SouthOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 14 – Dec. 6, 2026 Dec. 19, 2026 – Jan. 24, 2027 | South DUCK zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 15 daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| Canada goose — SouthOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 14, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | South GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 3 daily; 9 possession.source · source |
| Snow / blue / Ross’s geese — SouthOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 14, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | South GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 20 combined daily; unlimited possession.source · source |
| Brant — SouthOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 14, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | South GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 1 daily; 3 possession.source · source |
| White-fronted goose — SouthOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 14, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | South GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 2 daily; 6 possession.source · source |
| Early Canada goose — SouthClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment | Sept. 1 – Sept. 15, 2026 | South GOOSE zone. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 2 daily; 6 possession.source · source |
| Light goose conservation order — SouthOpens Feb. 1, 2027Conservation-order legal equipment | Feb. 1 – April 30, 2027 | South GOOSE zone. During this order only: unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed; no federal duck stamp required. Illinois waterfowl stamp and hunting license required unless exempt; confirm HIP. Hours half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Other goose and duck seasons are not extended. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Approved non-toxic shot and exact property rules still apply. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | Unlimited daily and possession; snow/blue/Ross’s geese only.source · source |
| Youth waterfowl — SouthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal waterfowl equipment | Nov. 7, 2026 Jan. 30, 2027 | Youth waterfowl zone; use official maps. Youth 17 or younger; adult 18+ accompanies. Adults cannot hunt waterfowl/coots unless another season is concurrently open. Hunting license/HIP unless exempt; no stamps under 16, federal stamp at 16+. Youth scaup limit is 2/day. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 ducks combined daily, 18 possession, with daily maximums 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup. Species/sex possession limits are 3 times daily limits; these are sublimits within 6, not additional bags. Mergansers 5 (2 hooded), possession 15 (6 hooded); coots 15/45. Goose bags follow regular seasons; confirm the correct goose boundary. Regular goose bags: Canada 3/9; snow/blue/Ross’s 20 combined daily, unlimited possession; brant 1/3; white-fronted 2/6. These goose bags do not extend regular season dates.source · source |
| Early tealClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment | Sept. 5 – Sept. 13, 2026 | Statewide; confirm exact property. Sunrise to sunset, unlike regular waterfowl’s earlier start. Use the correct duck or goose map: northern boundaries differ in Will/Grundy and nearby areas. County is only a starting point; confirm roads/rivers and exact property. Current Illinois hunting license/HIP and species-appropriate stamps/exemptions required; state waterfowl stamp normally age 18+, federal stamp age 16+. Legal plugged shotgun (maximum 3 shells), approved non-toxic shot; regular hours half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Public sites, refuges, rivers and blinds have additional rules. | 6 teal combined daily; 18 possession. Blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal only.source · source |
LICENSES & PERMITS
Match the permit to the hunt
Have the hunting license, HIP and stamps unless exempt: Illinois waterfowl stamp normally at age 18+, federal stamp at age 16+. Youth 17 and younger need an adult 18+ on youth days; federal stamps still apply at 16+. Use approved non-toxic shot, legal equipment and a plugged shotgun of no more than 3 shells, except during the light-goose conservation order. Duck, goose and coot bags are separate; duck sublimits remain within 6.
Public, controlled, IRAP, refuge, island and river hunts need their own access and current hunter fact sheet. A county-wide reference does not authorize every property. Confirm shooting hours, local discharge restrictions and hunter education. License exemptions do not automatically exempt a required species permit.
Source: IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗; IDNR hunter fact sheets: check the exact property ↗
SPECIAL DAYS & LIGHT GEESE
Youth rules and conservation-order exceptions
Youth dates: North Oct. 17–18; Central Oct. 24–25; South Nov. 7 and Jan. 30. Youth must be 17 or younger with an adult 18+. Scaup is 2/day on youth days. Goose youth calendars need confirmation where duck/goose boundaries differ. Illinois does not list a separate statewide military waterfowl weekend in this digest.
Light goose conservation order: North Jan. 27–Apr. 30; Central/South Feb. 1–Apr. 30. Only snow/blue/Ross’s geese; unlimited bag/possession, unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed, federal stamp waived. State license/stamp/exemptions and access still apply.
Source: IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗; IDNR: 2026–27 season dates and limits card ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Prepare for your hunt
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Reviewed for this season
We compare IDNR’s current digest, season-specific county/permit sheets and official maps. Every split and local exception stays separate. Published spring 2027 turkey dates are included; unpublished future seasons are not inferred. Sources are reviewed weekly, with editorial review before changes are published.
- IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗
- IDNR: 2026–27 season dates and limits card ↗
- IDNR: Waterfowl hunting and zone maps ↗
- IDNR: 2026–30 waterfowl zones and season plan ↗
- Illinois administrative code: waterfowl, Part 590 ↗
Last checked: Nov. 3, 2026. Saved calendars and printouts do not update automatically. Report a change.