Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird Seasons & Regulations
Waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting dates are set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with Indiana DNR.
A valid hunting license is required to hunt migratory game birds and waterfowl. In addition, HIP registration, Indiana Game Bird, or Indiana Migratory Waterfowl stamp privileges, and a Federal Migratory Bird hunting stamp may also be required as noted below.
Resident and nonresident youth age 17 or younger are exempt from needing a state migratory waterfowl stamp or game bird habitat stamp to hunt game birds or waterfowl in Indiana.
Ducks, coots and mergansers
Special teal season
| Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Teal | Sept. 6 – 14, 2025 | Six, any combination of blue-winged and green-winged teal. Possession limit: 18. Shooting hours: sunrise to sunset. HIP registration required. *No teal hunting on Kankakee FWA. |
Regular duck seasons
| Zone | Dates |
|---|---|
| North Zone |
Oct. 18 – Dec. 7, 2025 Dec. 20 – 28, 2025 |
| Central Zone |
Nov. 1-9, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026 |
| South Zone |
Nov. 8-9, 2025 Nov. 29, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026 |
The daily bag limit for ducks is six. This includes any combination of buffleheads, gadwalls, goldeneyes, long-tailed ducks, ring-necked ducks, ruddy ducks, scoters, shovelers, teal, and wigeon. Included in the daily limit of six are additional restrictions on the following:
- Black ducks: Only two black ducks may be taken daily
Canvasback: Only two canvasbacks may be taken daily. - Mallards: Only four mallards may be taken daily, including not more than two females.
- Mottled duck: Only one mottled duck may be taken daily.
- Pintails: Only three pintails may be taken daily.
- Redheads: Only two redheads may be taken daily.
- Scaup: Only one scaup may be taken daily before Nov. 2 in the North Zone, Nov. 28 in the Central Zone, and Dec. 12 in the South Zone. Only two scaup may be taken daily on or after those dates.
- Wood ducks: Only three wood ducks may be taken daily
The daily bag for mergansers (which is separate from the duck limit) is five, including not more than two hooded mergansers. The daily bag limit for coots is 15.
Possession limit for ducks, coots, and mergansers is three times the daily bag limit. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shooting hours at some DNR properties may vary. Contact the property for details.
Canada geese, light geese, and brant
| Zone | Dates |
|---|---|
| North Zone |
Sept. 1 – 10, 2025 Oct. 18 – 26, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 |
| Central Zone | Sept. 1 – 10, 2025 |
| South Zone |
Sept. 1 – 14, 2025 Nov. 8-12, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 |
The bag limit for Canada geese and brant is five geese in the aggregate. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit for light geese (snow, blue, and/or Ross’ geese) is 20, with no possession limit for light geese. Read the light geese conservation order.
White-fronted geese
| Zone | Dates |
|---|---|
| North Zone | Nov. 22, 2025– Feb. 15, 2026 |
| Central Zone | Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 |
| South Zone | Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 |
The daily bag limit for white-fronted geese is 2. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Youth waterfowl weekends
| Zone | Dates |
|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct. 11 – 12, 2025 |
| Central Zone | Oct. 25 – 26, 2025 |
| South Zone | Nov. 1 – 2, 2025 |
Hunters must be 17 years of age or younger on the day of the hunt to participate. A federal duck stamp is required for all persons 16 and older. They must also be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. An adult may accompany more than one youth. The licensed accompanying adult may not hunt waterfowl. Bag and species limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season for ducks and geese (only one scaup per day may be taken during the youth season). A HIP registration number is required for youth hunters during the youth waterfowl weekends.
Veteran and Active-Duty Military waterfowl hunting days
| Zone | Dates |
|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct. 11-12, 2025 |
| Central Zone | Oct. 25-26, 2025 |
| South Zone | Nov. 1-2 2025 |
Beginning in 2019, special dates for veterans and active-duty military personnel to hunt waterfowl were established. Resident and nonresident veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, U.S. Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) may participate. In order to hunt ducks and geese in Indiana, all individuals must have an Indiana hunting license, an Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege, and a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation number. A federal duck stamp is required for all persons age 16 years and older. Federal duck stamps are available at most post offices and at fws.gov/duckstamps. State waterfowl stamp privileges are available from hunting and fishing license vendors and online. Daily limits are the same as for the youth seasons.
| Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Rails (Sora only) | Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2025 | 25. Possession limit: 75. Shooting hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. HIP registration required. |
| Mourning Doves | Sept. 1-Oct. 19, Nov. 1-30, Dec. 20 – 30, 2025 | 15. Possession limit: 45. Shooting hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. HIP registration & Game Bird Habitat Stamp required |
| Woodcock | Oct. 15 - Nov. 28, 2025 | 3. Possession limit: 9. Shooting hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. HIP registration required. |
| Snipe (Wilson's) | Sept. 1 - Dec. 16, 2025 | 8. Possession limit: 24. Shooting hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. HIP registration require |
