Highlights include an increase to a two-bird daily bag on pintails and the elimination of the Burnett County subzone closed area. This Canada goose subzone is now open to goose hunters as part of the Exterior zone.

Duck Season Structure

* 60-day season, the overall daily bag limit for ducks is six, no more than four mallards of which only one can be a hen, three wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck, two pintail, two scaup and one canvasback. (For species of duck not listed, such as teal and ring-necks, the combined total with all other species may not exceed six ducks).

* In addition the daily bag may also include 5 mergansers to include not more than two hooded mergansers and 15 coot.

* Northern Zone – Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. through Nov. 23.

* Southern Zone – Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. through Oct. 10, and Oct. 16 through Dec. 5.

Youth Waterfowl Hunt - Sept. 18-19

Youth may harvest Canada geese in all zones during these 2 days, however, the bag limit and/or tag requirement applies for the respective zones. These days overlap with open goose seasons in most areas so adults will also be able to shoot geese but not ducks during the youth hunt.

The state is apportioned into three goose hunting zones: Horicon, Collins and Exterior. Other goose management subzones within the Exterior Zone include the Brown County and Mississippi River subzone.

Exterior Zone (including subzones)

* 85 days. Daily bag of two geese.

* North Zone – Sept. 18-24 and Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. - Dec. 11.

* South Zone – Sept. 18 - Oct. 1, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. – Oct. 10 and Oct. 16 – Dec. 16

* Mississippi River Subzone – Oct. 2 at 9:00 a.m. – Oct 10 and Oct. 16 – Dec. 30.

* Burnett County and Rock Prairie Subzones have been eliminated.

Horicon and Collins

Hunters with Horicon and Collins zone permits will be issued six tags for the time period that they are awarded. The daily bag limit will be two geese with a possession limit of six.

* Horicon - Period 1, Sept. 16 - Oct. 31, Period 2, Nov. 1 – Dec. 16.

* Collins – Period 1, Sept. 16 – Oct. 3; Period 2, Oct. 4-24; Period 3, Oct. 25 – Nov. 19.

"Overall the picture on the 2010 waterfowl seasons looks good," said DNR waterfowl biologist Kent Van Horn. "State waterfowl hunters who put in the preseason legwork seeking out good habitat and securing permissions should have a good season. In particular, we expect to have abundant Canada goose hunting opportunities. Remember to scout early and take advantage of the Early September Canada Goose season which begins Sept. 1.

"And don't forget the Youth Waterfowl Hunt Sept. 18-19," added Van Horn. "This is a great opportunity to bring youngsters into the sport we all love. "

Think about giving something back and doing for someone that someone once did for you."

All migratory game bird hunters must become HIP certified when they purchase their hunting license.

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