Don DeBold / CC
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that there are significant changes from previous years that Wisconsin waterfowl hunters can expect ahead of the 2021 season opener.
The 2021 season will have a new duck zone structure. The former Mississippi River Zone has merged into the Southern Zone, and a new Open Water Zone has been developed in the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
The 2021 migratory game bird season starts September 1st with openers for the early goose, mourning dove, and early teal. The Regular waterfowl hunting will run for a 60 day season, with open and close dates to be set by the harvest zone. The Northern Zone starts September 25th, the Southern Zone opens October 2nd, and the new Open Water Zone on Lake Michigan will open October 16th.
Goose hunters will have a 92 day regular goose season, which includes two splits to allow hunting during Christmas and the New Year. The South Canada Goose Zone has a daily bag limit of three Canadian geese during the first portion of the season and five Canadian geese during the holiday hunt, which is December 20th – January 4th.
With the additional zones and date changes, hunters should expect to see an increase in state waterfowl stamp fees from $7 to $12 because of the adjustment for inflation since the last price increase 24 years ago. Conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association were in favor of the fee increase.
Before the season begins, the DNR is partnering with waterfowl organizations to host the inaugural Waterfowl Hunter’s Expo this Saturday, August 28th at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh.
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