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Waterfowl rezoning process

Once every five years, waterfowl zone boundaries are reassessed and updated based on new federal criteria; thereafter, the public is asked for input.

Because of their migratory nature, waterfowl species in Nebraska are managed in cooperation with neighboring states, the Central Flyway and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Regulations for waterfowl seasons set by states must fall within federal frameworks.

Once every five years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the four Flyway Councils reconsider the criteria for waterfowl zone boundaries and allow states to reassess their zones and submit modifications for approval. This process is occurring between 2024-2025.

Hunter input

Hunters were asked for their input on current waterfowl zone boundaries between Nov. 1-30, 2024. Hunters will be surveyed in late January 2025, based on the input received. This input will be reviewed and considered in NGPC staff’s proposal of new zone boundaries to be approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Explore Nebraska’s current waterfowl zones for duck, coot and dark goose seasons, all of which will be subject to new federal criteria and could change starting with the 2026 hunting season.

Watch the rezoning overview video View interactive maps

Criteria for zone changes:

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.

Rezoning timeline

The process to adjust zones in Nebraska occurs over a two-year period. Once finalized, NGPC staff will analyze data for new zones to incorporate in hunting season date recommendations. Download the timeline.

2024

August to October

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Flyway Councils agree upon and approve criteria.

November

Public input period, first round.

December

Nebraska Game and Parks analyzes and implements public input, and proposes new zone boundaries (if any).

2025

January

Public input period, second round.

April

Proposed new zone boundaries are presented to the Commission for approval.

August

Zone boundaries must be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for approval.
Game and Parks begins developing season date recommendations for the expected new zones by incorporating harvest, hunter participation, hunter preference and migration timing.

2026

March

After the Fish and Wildlife Service approves new zones, NGPC will propose new season dates per zone to the Commission for approval.

October

Waterfowl hunting season begins under new zone configuration.

FAQs

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

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.

Explore waterfowl surveys

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.

Learn more

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.