Illinois 2010-2011 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons
IDNR Recommends Waterfowl Season Dates for 2010-11 Proposal to be sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Approval
SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is recommending 60-day duck seasons in all zones, 85-day Canada goose seasons in the North and Central zones, and a 66-day Canada goose season in the South Zone for the 2010-11 waterfowl season.
The recommendations include opening the regular duck and Canada goose seasons on Oct. 16 in the North Zone, Oct. 30 in the Central Zone and Nov. 25 in the South Zone.
The recommendations also include a statewide September 2010 Canada goose season of Sept. 1-15, and a 16-day teal season of Sept. 4-19.
Asked for their preference for the 2010-11 season, 66 percent of South Zone duck hunters preferred a later season (Nov. 25-Jan. 23), while 29 percent preferred an earlier season (Nov. 13-Jan. 11).
The recommendation for the regular Canada goose season calls for a continuous 85-day season in the North Zone ending next Jan. 8, a split 85-day season in the Central Zone ending next Jan. 31, and a split 66-day season in the South Zone ending next Jan. 31.
Illinois is also recommending snow goose seasons for 2010-11 that open with the regular waterfowl seasons and run continuously through the end of each zone's regular Canada goose season. Conservation Order snow goose hunting would open the day after the regular Canada goose season ends in each zone and would continue through Mar. 31, 2011. The white-fronted goose season opens later than the Canada goose season in the North and Central zones because federal rules allow only 72 days and there are more white-fronts in those zones later in the season.