5 Things That Minnesota Duck Hunters Should Know Before The Opener

The Minnesota duck hunting opener is this Saturday morning, so depending on where you live, you might have an empty household in the morning, or hear shotguns going off most of the morning. If you are taking part in the opener this weekend, I've got 5 things you should know before you head out. Personally, number 4 on this list is the most important thing to know.

Know your zone, especially if you're hunting Central Minnesota

The regular duck season opens 30 minutes before sunrise on Saturday statewide. In the Central Zone, the first portion runs September 26 through October 4, then picks back up October 10. North and South Zone dates are different.

For Central Minnesota hunters, Saturday is definitely opening day.

Check the Minnesota DNR's 2026 waterfowl season dates

The Limit Is 6 Ducks

The basic daily limit is six ducks total, but there are species-specific limits within that six. For example, you can have up to four mallards, but only two can be hens, and the limits are three wood ducks, three pintails, two redheads, and two canvasbacks. There are separate rules for scaup and mergansers.

In other words: know what you're shooting before you start shooting. A good duck-identification refresher isn't a bad idea.

Minnesota DNR duck identification and regulations

Minnesota Requires Non-Toxic Shot

This rule has been around for years, since the 1987-88 hunting season, but with the cost of ammunition higher, I'm sure someone is going to start looking in Grandpa's basement gun cabinet for what he might have left.

Lead shot cannot be used for ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, or sandhill cranes,  and, more importantly, you can't have lead shot in your possession while hunting them.

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Get Your License & Stamps Squared Away

Alright, patience might be in short supply this weekend, and it's another 'first' weekend for the electronic systems in Minnesota. Outdoorsmen know how sideways this new system can go, as changes can and will be made. So before you get out on the water, or in your blind, double check you know where to find your license and stamps in the new system.

Minnesota DNR waterfowl hunting information and regulations

Seriously, Folks, Wear The Life Jacket

The DNR's advice is pretty simple: wear your life jacket and be safe on the water and in the marsh. And remember, it's late September, which means water temperatures can be considerably colder than the air temperature.

Also, back to patience possible being in short supply. Opening morning means lots of boats, dogs, decoys, and hunters trying to get into the same areas. Give other people some room and keep an eye out for other activity on the water.

And one bonus tip: Minnesota's DNR says the 2026 spring breeding-duck count was 62% higher than the 2025 estimate and 11% above the long-term average, so there are some encouraging numbers heading into the season.

Happy hunting!

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