Springfield, IL – Illinois waterfowl hunters will see notable changes beginning in 2026 as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) finalizes new waterfowl season dates and zone boundaries for the 2026–2030 hunting seasons.
According to the IDNR, the adjustments—approved following hunter feedback and federal review—aim to balance weather differences, habitat diversity, and hunting preferences across the state.
Doug McClain, IDNR’s wetland wildlife program manager, said the five-year framework was shaped by both scientific data and hunter input. “Illinois is a large, diverse state with weather and climate patterns that change significantly from north to south,” McClain said. “These new dates and zone lines offer opportunity for all waterfowl hunters across the state.”
A key change merges the former South-Central and South zones into a single South Zone, while all other boundaries remain unchanged. Roughly 90% of surveyed hunters agreed their county currently falls in the correct zone.
Another major update allows for split duck seasons statewide, a change widely supported by hunters seeking later end dates. Under the new system, duck seasons in the North and Central zones will start similarly to previous years but extend slightly later. The South Zone will feature a season stretching into late January.
The new structure will take effect beginning with the 2026 hunting season. Current 2025–2026 season dates remain as published in IDNR’s Hunting and Trapping Digest and on the Hunt Illinois website.
For maps and complete details, visit dnr.illinois.gov.
