Iowa Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
- Earliest opener
- Oct 3
- Latest close
- Dec 22
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
North Zone
South Zone
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
North Zone opens in
9 days
Start your Iowa log — free. MarshHQ counts every species against these limits as you log, and shows legal shooting light for the spot you’re hunting.
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Season dates by zone
Duck season, by zone. Always confirm shooting hours with Iowa DNR.
Central Zone
60 days
- Oct 10 – Oct 16, 2026
- Oct 24 – Dec 15, 2026
The remainder of Iowa not included in the North or South zones.
North Zone
60 days
- Oct 3 – Oct 9, 2026
- Oct 17 – Dec 8, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
That part of Iowa north of a line beginning on the South Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, southeast along Interstate 29 to State Highway 20, then along State Highway 20 to the Iowa-Illinois border.
South Zone
60 days
- Oct 17 – Oct 23, 2026
- Oct 31 – Dec 22, 2026
That part of Iowa west of Interstate 29 and south of State Highway 92 east to the Iowa-Illinois border.
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early teal, Early Canada goose, Canada goose (regular), Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Light goose conservation order
Coot
Central Zone
- Oct 10 – Oct 16, 2026
- Oct 24 – Dec 15, 2026
Coot
North Zone
- Oct 3 – Oct 9, 2026
- Oct 17 – Dec 8, 2026
Coot
South Zone
- Oct 17 – Oct 23, 2026
- Oct 31 – Dec 22, 2026
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 5 – Sep 13, 2026
Early Canada goose
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Metro Goose Zone
- Sep 12 – Sep 20, 2026
Early Canada goose
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Metro Goose Zone
- Sep 12 – Sep 20, 2026
Early Canada goose
Des Moines Metro Goose Zone
- Sep 12 – Sep 20, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Central Zone
- Oct 3 – Oct 18, 2026
- Oct 24 – Dec 15, 2026
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 16, 2027
Canada goose (regular)
North Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 11, 2026
- Oct 17 – Dec 8, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027
Canada goose (regular)
South Zone
- Oct 10 – Oct 25, 2026
- Oct 31 – Dec 22, 2026
- Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 23, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Central Zone
- Oct 3 – Oct 18, 2026
- Oct 24 – Dec 15, 2026
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 16, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
North Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 11, 2026
- Oct 17 – Dec 8, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
South Zone
- Oct 10 – Oct 25, 2026
- Oct 31 – Dec 22, 2026
- Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 23, 2027
Light goose conservation order
Central Zone
- Jan 24 – May 1, 2027
Light goose conservation order
North Zone
- Jan 24 – May 1, 2027
Light goose conservation order
South Zone
- Jan 24 – May 1, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- North Zone:
- Sep 26 – Sep 27, 2026
- Central Zone:
- Oct 3 – Oct 4, 2026
- South Zone:
- Oct 10 – Oct 11, 2026
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
Light geese: 20 daily.
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Light geese: No daily limit daily.
Light goose conservation order
Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Scaup: 1 for the first 15 days, then 2 for the last 45 days daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in Iowa
Iowa Migratory Bird Fee — Required annually of residents and nonresidents age 16+ hunting migratory game birds, in addition to a hunting license.
Federal Duck Stamp
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
License and permit names and exemptions are set by the state and can change without notice, and fees aren’t listed here for the same reason. MarshHQ is not responsible for errors or out-of-date information — confirm current requirements directly with Iowa DNR (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.
Disclaimer: Bag limits and season dates are for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify with USFWS and your state wildlife agency before hunting. Dates and limits above reflect the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: iowadnr.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.