Waterfowl season has arrived in northern Wisconsin. The 2026 regular Canada goose season in Wisconsin’s northern zone has already been open since September 16th, and the Northern duck season begins September 26th. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the regular Canada goose season in the Northern zone runs through December 16th, while the regular duck season in the Northern zone closes on November 24th. The daily bag limit is three Canada geese statewide during the first portion of the season. The daily bag limit increases to five birds in the southern zone during the holiday hunt. The daily bag limit for ducks is six, with specific regulations on how many of each duck you can add to your bag limit. Licenses and stamps required for duck hunting include a Wisconsin small game license, a Wisconsin waterfowl stamp and a federal migratory bird stamp. The federal duck stamp costs $25 and can be purchased from Duckstamps.com, in person at a U.S. Post Office location, via Go Wild or at a DNR license vendor for an additional $3.50 surcharge. The purchase will be noted on your license, but the stamp itself will arrive in the mail later. Waterfowl and other migratory bird hunters must register each year with the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) and may receive a survey regarding their harvests. HIP registration is free and can be done at the time of license purchase or added later if a hunter decides to pursue migratory game birds. The DNR is also advising hunters to be cautious with birds as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is still spreading. Waterfowl can be infected with the avian influenza virus without showing signs of disease. The DNR recommends the following precautionary measures: avoid handling sick or found dead birds, prevent dogs from contact with sick or dead birds, wear rubber gloves when handling game, field dress in ventilated areas, and always wash hands and equipment thoroughly with soap and water. This strain of HPAI has not been shown to pose a food safety risk. However, hunters should always ensure proper handling of game meat, and harvested birds should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not let hunting dogs consume raw game meat or found dead birds. Good luck to all the waterfowl hunters this season!
Conservation Corner is a weekly article produced by the Forest County Land Conservation and Land Information Department. For more information contact Lucas O’Brien, Forest County Land Conservation Technician at 715-478-1387 or by e-mail at