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 250th anniversary, educational programming at Ponca SP, rainbow trout production and stocking, the 100th 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 a 30-year service award.