The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has released updated waterfowl hunting season dates and zone boundaries for 2026 through 2030. One major change is the merger of the South-Central and South zones into a single South Zone. Hunters can also expect split seasons for ducks across all regions, allowing for later closing dates. These adjustments come following a comprehensive review and feedback from hunters throughout the state. Officials hope that the new regulations will improve hunting opportunities while better conserving waterfowl populations. Information on specific dates and boundaries is available on the department’s website.
“Illinois is a large, diverse state with weather and climate patterns that change significantly from north to south,” said Doug McClain, IDNR’s wetland wildlife program manager. “Taking this reality into account, along with the federal waterfowl framework and the diverse hunting styles and opinions of waterfowl hunters, these dates and zone lines offer opportunity for all waterfowl hunters across the state. Illinoisans hunt in different habitat types and with different styles, necessitating compromises on these regulations.”
“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,” McClain said. “In addition, hunters generally preferred later season dates, so splits were implemented in all zones to allow for later end dates for duck seasons. Those preferences were balanced with biological data to avoid mismatches of season timing and peak waterfowl abundance.”
