Minnesota DNR reminds hunters about important dates
Minnesota waterfowl seasons are around the corner, and hunters have a wide variety of opportunities to look forward to in 2026, with seasons starting Saturday, Sept. 5. Early teal season runs Saturday, Sept. 5 through Wednesday, Sept. 9, with shooting hours from sunrise to sunset.
“Hunters should review the regulations and hunting season dates this year. Now is a great time to be scouting and preparing for the season,” said Nate Huck, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources migratory gamebird specialist. “Hunters should take care to understand the special considerations surrounding early teal season and preserving wild rice.”
Throughout Minnesota, the early teal season falls at a time when many people are engaged in a wide range of water-based activities. The Minnesota DNR urges all over-water waterfowl hunters to be aware of and cautious about people participating in other activities on the water, no matter where they hunt. Wild rice harvesters, as well as all other recreationalists, are reminded to keep a safety mindset and be mutually courteous to make sure early waterfowl hunters and those participating in other water-based activities are all able to safely enjoy their opportunities.
Waterfowl hunters can now find waterfowl regulations information in the hunting and trapping regulations booklet. The Minnesota DNR merged the waterfowl regulations with the main booklet to provide a single, comprehensive booklet for hunters and trappers. The hunting regulations handbook is available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, and on the Minnesota DNR waterfowl hunting webpage.
Early teal season restrictions
The Minnesota DNR reminds waterfowl hunters who plan to take part in the early teal hunting season or early goose season (Sept. 5-20) to be aware of and cautious around wild rice beds.
Wild rice is an important natural and cultural resource that typically ripens in early September. Wild rice harvesters may be active in beds if the rice is ready to be collected. In addition, wild rice plants are susceptible to damage during this time, even if active harvest is not underway.
Waterfowl hunters must know and follow restrictions on early season teal hunting within the boundaries of the Mille Lacs, Leech Lake and White Earth reservations. Hunters are advised to contact the appropriate Tribal authority for more information:
- Within the boundaries of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation, the taking of teal during the early teal season is prohibited on wild rice waters identified by Tribal authorities. Further information is available at the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe website or at 320‑532‑7896.
- Within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation, the taking of teal during the early teal season is prohibited within a half mile of wild rice beds that are posted open to rice harvest by Tribal authorities. Further information is available Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe website or at 218-368-4767.
- Within the boundaries of the White Earth Reservation, the taking of teal during the early teal season is prohibited on wild rice waters identified by Tribal authorities. Further information is available at the White Earth Nation website or 218-935-3933 (office), or 218‑850‑8035 (cell).
Information to help hunters properly identify waterfowl is available in an illustrated guide that begins on page 52 of the 2026 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Access to complete information on Minnesota’s waterfowl hunting seasons is available from the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage.
Reminders about federal duck stamp
As a reminder, electronically issued federal stamps are valid for the entire season. Each stamp purchase includes a validation available immediately for hunting and a pictorial stamp that is mailed to the purchaser after the close of waterfowl seasons.
Federal duck stamps are available through the Minnesota DNR electronic licensing system, in person or online and cost $30 per stamp.
Federal duck stamps are required for all hunters age 16 and older. Waterfowl hunters must also possess a small game license, state waterfowl stamp and Harvest Information Program certification. The state waterfowl stamp requirement is for residents age 18 to 64 and nonresidents age 16 and older.
Waterfowl season dates and youth reminders
Hunting season dates for ducks, mergansers, coots and moorhens are:
- North zone - Saturday, Sept. 26 through Tuesday, Nov. 24;
- Central zone - Saturday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 29 (hunters need to know there was an error in the printed regulations booklet that stated Central Zone hunting will be open Oct. 11-Nov. 30, the online version has been corrected);
- South zone - Saturday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 6.
Hunting season dates for geese are:
- Early season (statewide) - Saturday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 20;
- North zone - Saturday, Sept. 26 through Friday, Dec. 25;
- Central zone - Saturday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 10, through Wednesday, Dec. 30;
- South zone - Saturday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 17, through Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Youth waterfowl weekend is Saturday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 13. During this time waterfowl hunters 17 and younger can hunt if accompanied by a nonhunting adult 18 years of age or older. Regulations for this hunt are available on page 51 of hunting regulations booklet available on the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage.
Learn to hunt information is available on the Minnesota DNR website.