Iowa Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Iowa waterfowl season dates start with Sep 26, 2026-Jan 9, 2027. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Iowa's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Sep 26-Oct 11, 2026.
General Geese opens Sep 26, 2026 and closes Jan 9, 2027.
General Split 1 Duck opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Oct 9, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Iowa DNR.
Waterfowl
31 listed rowsCanada Goose
Metropolitan Canada Goose
2026/27 season. Additional regulations apply. Specified areas only.
Zone: Specified metropolitan areas (Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Des Moines, Waterloo/Cedar Falls)
Canada Goose
Metropolitan Canada Goose
2026/27; Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Des Moines, and Waterloo/Cedar Falls zones; additional regulations apply
Zone: Specified Metropolitan Areas
Duck
General Split 1
2026/27 season. First split.
Zone: North Zone
Duck
General Split 1
2026/27 season. First split.
Zone: Central Zone
Duck
General Split 1
2026/27 season. First split.
Zone: South Zone
Duck
General Split 2
2026/27 season. Second split.
Zone: North Zone
Duck
General Split 2
2026/27 season. Second split.
Zone: Central Zone
Duck
General Split 2
2026/27 season. Second split.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks
General
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons; two splits: Oct. 3-9 and Oct. 17-Dec. 8
Zone: North Zone
Ducks
General
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons; two splits: Oct. 10-16 and Oct. 24-Dec. 15
Zone: Central Zone
Ducks
General
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons; two splits: Oct. 17-23 and Oct. 31-Dec. 22
Zone: South Zone
Geese
General
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons; three splits: Sep. 26-Oct. 11, Oct. 17-Dec. 8, Dec. 12-Jan. 9
Zone: North Zone
Geese
General
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons; three splits: Oct. 3-18, Oct. 24-Dec. 15, Dec. 19-Jan. 16
Zone: Central Zone
Geese
General
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons; three splits: Oct. 10-25, Oct. 31-Dec. 22, Dec. 26-Jan. 23
Zone: South Zone
Goose
General Split 1
2026/27 season. First split.
Zone: North Zone
Goose
General Split 1
2026/27 season. First split.
Zone: Central Zone
Goose
General Split 1
2026/27 season. First split.
Zone: South Zone
Goose
General Split 2
2026/27 season. Second split.
Zone: North Zone
Goose
General Split 2
2026/27 season. Second split.
Zone: Central Zone
Goose
General Split 2
2026/27 season. Second split.
Zone: South Zone
Goose
General Split 3
2026/27 season. Third split.
Zone: North Zone
Goose
General Split 3
2026/27 season. Third split.
Zone: Central Zone
Goose
General Split 3
2026/27 season. Third split.
Zone: South Zone
Light Goose
Conservation Order
2026/27 season. Light Goose Conservation Order. Additional regulations apply.
Zone: Statewide
Teal
Special September Teal
2026/27 season. Statewide.
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Youth Waterfowl
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons
Zone: North Zone
Waterfowl
Youth Waterfowl
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons
Zone: Central Zone
Waterfowl
Youth Waterfowl
2026/27 Migratory Game Bird Seasons
Zone: South Zone
Waterfowl (Duck/Goose)
Youth Waterfowl
2026/27 season.
Zone: North Zone
Waterfowl (Duck/Goose)
Youth Waterfowl
2026/27 season.
Zone: Central Zone
Waterfowl (Duck/Goose)
Youth Waterfowl
2026/27 season.
Zone: South Zone
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Iowa Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Iowa?
September 5, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Iowa — special september teal teal runs Sep 5-13, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Iowa DNR.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Iowa?
Iowa lists 31 waterfowl season windows: Metropolitan Canada Goose Canada Goose (Sep 12-20, 2026); Metropolitan Canada Goose Canada Goose (Sep 12-20, 2026); General Split 1 Duck (Oct 3-9, 2026); General Split 1 Duck (Oct 10-16, 2026); General Split 1 Duck (Oct 17-23, 2026); General Split 2 Duck (Oct 17-Dec 8, 2026); General Split 2 Duck (Oct 24-Dec 15, 2026); General Split 2 Duck (Oct 31-Dec 22, 2026); and more. Always verify against Iowa DNR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Iowa?
Yes — Iowa lists separate waterfowl seasons for Metropolitan Canada Goose Canada Goose, General Split 1 Duck, General Split 2 Duck, General Ducks, General Geese, General Split 1 Goose. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Iowa DNR.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Iowa DNR.