Waterfowl rezoning process

Hunters were asked to provide two rounds of feedback: Round 1 of hunter feedback on waterfowl zone boundaries was Nov. 1-30, 2024. Round 2 took place Feb. 18 through March 14, 2025.

Based on the input received during round 1, hunters were invited to share input on proposed changes to duck zones and goose unit boundaries. Counties affected include Arthur, Boyd, Burt, Cass, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Garden, Garfield, Grant, Greely, Holt, Howard, Keya Paha, Knox, Morrill, Nemaha, Rock, Saline, Saunders, Thurston, Thurston, Washington, and Wheeler counties. We also welcomed feedback on Duck Zone 1.

Results from this survey helped determine final proposals regarding duck zones and dark goose units. Any changes will take effect for the 2026-2027 hunting seasons.

Hunters with a Harvest Information Program number were notified via direct mail or email about the opportunity to provide feedback on zones once federal criteria is approved.

Round 1 of hunter feedback on waterfowl zone boundaries was Nov. 1-30, 2024. Round 2 took place Feb. 18 through March 14, 2025.

Criteria for zone changes include:

• Nebraska is allowed to have no more than four duck zones.
• Zones or units must be contiguous.
• Boundaries must be readily identifiable. Roads are preferred.
• Only written comments will be accepted. Exceptions will be made for those without access to a printer.
• Comments regarding no change are as important as comments regarding a change.
• Make proposed changes as small as possible. Larger changes typically affect other hunters that may not agree with your change, resulting in no change.
• Need apparent majority of hunters in area for zone or unit boundary change. No apparent majority results in a no change to the boundary.

No; the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has no jurisdiction over the boundary associated with the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, commonly referred to as the “High Plains Line”. The High Plains Mallard Management Unit was established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the line roughly extends west from the 100th Meridian in states throughout the Central Flyway. Duck hunters west of this line are granted up to 23 additional hunting days, a decision based on research that had shown mallard harvest was lower in this portion of Nebraska and these other states.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service establishes annual hunting seasons for migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The FWS, in conjunction with all four Flyway Councils, set frameworks for opening and closing dates, daily bag and possession limits, and season length to ensure healthy waterfowl populations. States then select their hunting seasons within those parameters.

Although the number of waterfowl hunting zones a state has can determine the number of splits allowed under federal frameworks, the waterfowl re-zoning process and the process by which NGPC staff develop season date recommendations are two distinct and separate processes. Waterfowl zones can only be altered every five years, while season dates are reviewed and proposed on an annual basis by incorporating harvest, hunter participation, hunter preference and migration timing.

Learn more about what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service takes into account and how they make decisions about waterfowl hunting seasons and limits.

For some time prior to 1971, duck hunters east of U.S. Highway 83 enjoyed a season that was a week longer than it was west of that line. In 1971, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, which roughly extended west from the 100th Meridian in states throughout the Central Flyway. The new High Plains Unit, however, received 23 additional hunting days, a decision based on research that had shown harvest and the number of hunters was lower in this portion of Nebraska and these other states.
In 1981, the Low Plains Unit was divided into four zones with different season dates based on early- or late-season hunting opportunities. The zones have been modified since.