Field Report-

Illinois Waterfowl Season Recommendations for 2008-09

The USFWS is again allowing a 60-day duck season with a daily bag limit of six ducks.   This marks the 12th consecutive year in which hunters in Illinois have been offered a 60-day duck season. 

The Illinois duck season dates are as follows:

North Zone

Saturday, Oct. 18 - Tuesday, Dec. 16

Central Zone

Saturday, Oct. 25 - Tuesday, Dec. 23

South Zone

Thursday, Nov. 27 - Sunday, Jan. 25

The daily limit of six ducks may include no more than four mallards (two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck, and one pintail.

Canvasback season is closed statewide for 2008-09.

The daily limit for scaup in each zone will vary during the season (limit of one for 40 days and two for 20 days) as follows:

North Zone scaup limits

Oct. 18-Nov. 3

Nov. 24-Dec. 16 - daily limit of one

Nov. 4-Nov. 23 - daily limit of two

Central Zone scaup limits

Oct. 25-Nov. 10

Dec. 1-Dec. 23 - daily limit of one

Nov. 11-Nov. 30 - daily limit of two

South Zone scaup limits

Nov. 27-Dec. 16 - daily limit of two

Dec. 17-Jan. 25 - daily limit of one  

The daily bag limit for mergansers is five, only two of which may be hooded mergansers. 

Possession limits are twice the daily bag limits.