Regular Waterfowl Seasons Set to Open in Illinois
OutdoorHub 10.13.11
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois’ 2011-2012 waterfowl seasons are set to open with the state’s new four-zone configuration approved last summer by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters will take to the field for 60-day duck seasons in each of the state’s newly-drawn four waterfowl hunting zones. Canada goose hunting seasons will be 85 days in length in the North and Central zones and 66 days in the South Central and South zones for the 2011-12 waterfowl season.
Waterfowl hunters in northeast are reminded that Illinois has retained the previous zone line between the North and Central zones for duck hunting, while a new zone line along Interstate 80 separates the North and Central zones for goose hunting in portions of Cook, Will and Grundy counties.
Maps of the new zones – including the change in northeast Illinois – are available on the IDNR website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/waterfowl/Pages/MapsApprovedWaterfowlZoneLines.aspx.
The Illinois waterfowl seasons for this year are based on a new five-year plan for waterfowl hunting season dates through the 2015 season. For 2011-12, Illinois will open the regular duck, Canada goose, and snow goose seasons on Oct. 15 in the North Zone, Oct. 22 in the Central Zone, Nov. 12 in the South Central Zone, and Nov. 24 in the South Zone. White-fronted goose seasons open with the duck seasons in the South Central and South zones but have delayed openers in the North and Central zones.
For more details, check the IDNR Digest of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2011-2012 at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/DigestWaterfowlHuntingRegulations.pdf.
