Wildlife Management

Waterfowl in Wisconsin

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Frequently Asked Questions
Waterfowl Hunting in Wisconsin

Where is the best place to hunt geese, ducks and doves in Wisconsin?
You can find good hunting places by calling the DNR Service Center nearest to the general area you'd like to hunt. You can also use the DNR Web Mapping tool to help with your search.
I will be hunting ducks & geese this fall. I also plan to hunt mourning doves. Can I be in possession of lead shot for doves, while hunting waterfowl, coots or moorhens?
Although lead shot can be used for mourning doves (except when hunting doves on DNR managed lands or hunting any species on federally owned WPA's or Waterfowl Production Areas), it cannot be in one's possession while hunting waterfowl, coots and moorhens. As stated in the Wisconsin Migratory Bird Regulations "no person may possess any shotshell loaded with shot material other than non-toxic shot when hunting waterfowl, coots or moorhens." The restriction on possessing toxic shot while waterfowl hunting is based on Federal Code (50 CFR 20.21(j)).
When do ducks begin to migrate?
Unfortunately, there is not a good way to pinpoint the exact timing of migration. However, there are many factors that influence when a bird will migrate. Some are related to the environment, such as food supply, weather (wind, snow, falling temperatures), and day length. There are also internal factors that affect migration, such as the bird's endocrine cycle. If you have any further questions about factors that influence migration, a great resource is a book entitled Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America, by Frank Bellrose (1976).
If you'd like information about the weekly aerial waterfowl survey of the Upper Mississippi River pools, please refer to the US Fish and Wildlife Service webpage (Exit DNR).

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Where do I put a Federal Duck Stamp on the license?
You do not need to put the federal stamp ($15 at US post office) on your WI hunting license. However, you will need to sign it in ink and carry it with you. Most people simply affix the stamp to a piece of paper.
Where do I get a copy of the annual Migratory Bird Regulations?
You may pick one up at a DNR Service Center or licensed vendor or by downloading the regulations in PDF format from the Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations page. Typically, they are available online in late August and in print in early September.
Why does duck season open at 9:00am rather than at dawn?
Traditionally, the waterfowl season began at noon as a safety precaution. Starting the season during daylight hours allows hunters to become familiar with those hunting around them, as well as the topography of the land. At darker hours, accidents may occur due to visual impairment. In more recent years, there was interest in earlier opening hours, and in 2006, a compromise of 9:00 a.m. received considerable support.

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Will my license show if I am HIP certified? I have a patrons license, does that mean I am HIP certified? Is there any way to do this on the website?
If you have already registered for HIP, it will be stated on your license.
You are not automatically HIP certified when you purchase a patron license.
If you intend to hunt migratory game but are not HIP registered, please register at any licensed vendor or you can also register when you purchase a waterfowl-related license online
* You must register annually for HIP in each state that you hunt migratory game birds. For more information please see HIP
What is the purpose of the early goose season? What permits do I need?
Answer: The early goose hunt is held before migrant Canada geese arrive. The population of Canada geese nesting in Wisconsin is large enough to allow this additional harvest. Hopefully, hunts of this nature will reduce goose related wildlife damage and nuisance complaints. It also allows hunters extra days in the field.
For the Early September Canada Goose Hunt, you will need to purchase an Early September Goose Permit. The permit stickers are available for $3.00 at DNR offices and licensed vendors. You can buy them any time prior to and during the Early Goose Season. You do not need to fill out an application.
You must also purchase a small game license, both the state and federal waterfowl stamps, be HIP registered, and have passed either hunter safety (if born after Jan 1, 1973) or comply with the new rules for "mentored" hunting.
I'd like to participate in the Early September Canada Goose Hunt. What parts of the state can I hunt in during this time?
The zones in place for the regular goose season (Exterior, Horicon, Collins) do not apply for the Early season. The only exception is the Burnett County subzone, which is closed to Canada goose hunting.

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Is it still possible to get Horicon/Collins permits for this season?
The only way to hunt in the Horicon or Collins Zone is to apply for a permit by the deadline. The number of tags issued to hunters is determined by the number of applicants, so there are not any extra permits. However, you may still purchase tags for the exterior zone.
Are there any suggested goose abatement techniques?
Please contact Wildlife Services (Department of Agriculture) for information about abatement techniques:
  • 1-800-433-0663 (Southern areas of the state)
  • 1-800-228-1368 (Northern areas of the state)
  • (715) 369-5221 (Out of state)

Also please see the new pamphlet Resident Canada Goose Management in Wisconsin (PDF, 670KB) for more information.

For more information about wildlife damage programs, please see Damage

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Where do I report sightings of banded or neck collared birds?
You can report sightings of markers on living birds or dead birds through www.reportband.gov [Exit DNR], 1-877-327-BAND (1-800-327-2263) or by mailing information to the address below. You will be asked to provide as much information as possible about species, type of marker/position, color combinations, code number and date/location sighting.
After reporting the band number, you will receive a "Certificate of Appreciation" and a report that provides information available on the bird you saw. If you have any questions, please contact the Bird Banding Laboratory:
    USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
    Bird Banding Laboratory
    12100 Beech Forest Road
    Laurel, MD 20708-4037
    (301) 497-5790
For more information, please see our webpage about Reporting Banded Birds.
Is it legal to float down a river that is posted on both sides to hunt ducks, as long as the party doesn't touch any posted land?
Please refer to the Migratory Gamebird Regulations.
  • You may hunt in any open water area provided that you are standing on the bottom without the aid of a blind.
  • It is illegal to hunt from any moving boat unless it is propelled by paddle, oars, or pole.
  • Navigable waters are public and you may use them for fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, or other recreational activities, provided public access is available, or you have permission of the landowner to reach the waterway. Once on a navigable waterway, as long as you keep your feet wet, you may walk along the bed of the stream, fish, hunt, swim, or boat in any navigable lake or stream.
What Licenses and Privileges are needed in order to hunt waterfowl?
You can find this information by looking at this year’s Wisconsin Migratory Bird Regulations, under ‘License Information.’
Why can’t I hunt Canada geese in more than one zone during the regular season?
Federal rules only allow hunters to hunt Canada geese in one of 3 zones in Wisconsin during the regular season (Exterior, Horicon or Collins). This encourages a better distribution of harvest across the state, which in turn encourages harvest of the more abundant population of resident Canada geese (or ‘giants’) and keeps the less abundant population of Mississippi Valley Canada geese (or MVP’s) from being over harvested.
Why are the waterfowl regulations set so late?
Please see our webpage that describes how the waterfowl regulations are set.

For information about this topic, contact: Assistant Migratory Game Bird Ecologist.

Questions for Wildlife Management

Last Revised: Tuesday September 22 2009