Wisconsin’s fall duck, goose outlook again on bright side

Madison — Spring waterfowl surveys point to stable population numbers and habitat conditions for migratory birds, so Wisconsin waterfowl hunters should be excited about the 2025 season.

Based on the available data, the DNR is expecting another great season for duck hunters in Wisconsin, according to Taylor Finger, the DNR’s waterfowl ecologist.

“Make sure to check the season dates before you head out into the field. The Northern Zone continues to open one week earlier than the Southern Zone to provide better opportunity for northern hunters during early migration efforts and before the winter freeze,” Finger said.

“Similarly, the Open-Water Zone continues to open two weeks later than the Southern Zone to allow for later hunting opportunities on Lake Michigan,” he said.

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Duck forecast

In 2024, 34 million birds were estimated in the continental duck population, 5% higher than the 2023 population estimate and 4% lower than the long-term average. Wisconsin’s 2025 breeding duck population was estimated at 564,693 birds, a 7% increase from the 2024 estimate and above the long-term average (1973-2025).

Mallards are the most abundant duck in Wisconsin and make up 30% of the state’s total duck harvest. The 2024 USFWS continental population estimates for mallards were up 8% from 2023 and are 16% below the long-term average. In Wisconsin, the 2025 mallard breeding population estimate is 149,568 birds, 2% higher than 2024, but lower than the long-term average.

Wood duck populations are similar to last year, and populations remain above the long-term average. Together, mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal and green-winged teal make up about 70% of game waterfowl in Wisconsin.

Scaup update

Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) season framework, there will continue to be a scaup bag limit of one scaup per day for 15 days and two scaup per day for 45 days.

Goose forecast

The U.S. boasts a goose population in the millions, and Wisconsin’s resident goose population continues to remain abundant. This fall, Wisconsin’s roughly 40,000 goose hunters should expect another strong season with excellent hunting opportunities.

The 2025 population estimate for Wisconsin-breeding Canada geese came in at 131,567. This estimate is slightly lower than 2024’s estimate, but still more than 20% higher than the long-term average.

The goose season will run for 92 days and include two splits in the Southern Zone and Mississippi Zone, allowing for an open season over the holidays. The Mississippi River Zone will mirror the Southern Canada Goose Zone by using the same season dates and using a second split to allow for a holiday hunt portion of the goose season. The Northern Zone will have no splits this year.

In the Southern Zone and Mississippi Zone, there will be an increase to the bag limit during the holiday hunt portion of the season. The bag limit will be three geese per day for the first portion of the season and five geese per day during the latter portion of the season (open from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, 2026). This increase in bag limit will provide increased opportunity during a time of the year when additional harvest will be focused primarily on Wisconsin’s resident Canada geese.

Mourning dove

During the 2023-24 seasons, the USFWS estimated that hunters harvested more than 16 million mourning doves nationally. In Wisconsin, mourning dove hunting is still a relatively new opportunity for hunters.

For new and seasoned dove hunters alike, state-planted crops fields can be a great option for finding birds and having a successful hunt. Field staff across the state have been planting fields of food crops for mourning doves. Find these fields and other hunting areas using the DNR’s FFLIGHT tool that is on the DNR’s website.

Season dates

Duck season

Early teal  – Sept. 1-9

Youth waterfowl – Sept. 20-21

Northern Zone – Sept. 27 to Nov. 25

Southern Zone – Oct. 4-12 and Oct. 18 to Dec. 7

Open-Water Zone – Oct. 18 to Dec. 16

Goose season

Early goose – Sept. 1-15

Northern Zone – Sept. 16 to Dec. 16

Southern Zone – Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, Oct. 18 to Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 to
Jan. 2, 2026

Mississippi Zone – Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, Oct. 18 to Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, 2026

Mourning dove (statewide) – Sept. 1 to Nov. 29