Commissioners approve 2026-2027 waterfowl recommendations

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved 2026-2027 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 20 meeting at Ponca State Park.

Approved staff recommendations include a transition to a three duck-zone configuration instead of four. Boundary changes to duck zones and goose units approved by commissioners last June resulted in duck Zone 4 being relabeled to Zone 1. The former Zone 1 is being absorbed into Zone 2.

Also approved was a nine-day early teal season in both Low Plains and High Plains zones due to blue-winged teal breeding population status.

The approved 2026-2027 Nebraska waterfowl seasons are:

Early Teal

Low Plains – Sept. 5-13

High Plains – Sept. 5-13

Daily bag limit – six; Possession limit – 18

Youth, Veteran, and Active-Duty Military

Zone 1 – Oct. 17-18

Zone 2 – Sept. 26-27

Zone 3 – Oct. 17-18

Daily bag – Same as regular season

Duck and Coot

Zone 1 – Oct. 24-Dec. 6 and Dec. 19-Jan. 17

Zone 2 – Oct. 3-Dec. 15 and Jan. 6-27 (High Plains)

Zone 3 – Oct. 24-Jan. 5 and Jan. 6-27 (High Plains)

Daily bag – Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions; Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex; Possession limit – three times the daily bag limit

Dark Goose

Platte River Unit – Oct. 28-Feb. 9

Niobrara Unit – Oct. 28-Feb. 9

North Central Unit – Oct. 3-Jan. 15

Daily bag limit – five; Possession limit – 15

White-fronted Goose

Statewide – Oct. 17-Dec. 27, and Jan. 25-Feb 9

Daily bag limit – two; Possession limit – six

Light Goose Regular Season

Statewide – Oct. 3-Dec. 30 and Jan. 25-Feb. 9

Daily bag limit – 50; Possession limit – none

Light Goose Conservation Order

East Zone – Feb. 10-April 15

West Zone – Feb. 10-April 5

Rainwater Basin Zone – Feb. 10-April 5

Daily bag and possession limits – none

Crow

Statewide – Oct. 10-Dec. 10 and Jan. 9-March 11

Daily bag and possession limits – none

Falconry

Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus,

Zone 1 – Feb. 25-March 10

Zone 2 – Low Plains: Feb. 25-March 10; High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone

Zone 3 – High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone

In other business, commissioners approved the acquisition of the 112-acre Oswald Tract in Fillmore County as an addition to Redhead Wildlife Management Area.

Staff also gave several presentations, including a look at Game and Parks’ events celebrating the nation’s 250^th anniversary, educational programming at Ponca SP, rainbow trout production and stocking, the 100^th anniversary of Nebraskaland Magazine, a review of oak blight in Nebraska, and the conservation officers’ internship program.

Tom and Bonnie Ferry, of Ponca, and Ponca Volunteer Fire and Rescue were both acknowledged with an award for their support of the Missouri River Outdoor Expo for the past 20 years. Stephanie Bokelmann, the Budget and Fiscal assistant division administrator, received the Outstanding Service Award for her work at Game and Parks.