Hunting season dates for ducks, mergansers, coots, and moorhens are:

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the north zone;

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 30, in the central zone.

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 7, in the south zone.

Hunting season dates for geese are:

• Early goose season is Saturday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 21;

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Friday, Dec. 26, in the north zone;

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, in the central zone;

• Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 18, through Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the south zone.

Youth waterfowl weekend is Saturday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 14, when waterfowl hunters 17 and younger can hunt if accompanied by a nonhunting adult 18 years of age or older. Regulations for this hunt are available on page 12 of the waterfowl hunting regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting).

Learn to hunt information is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/gohunting).

Reminders about federal duck stamp and goose permit

As a reminder, electronically issued federal stamps are valid for the entire season. Each stamp purchase includes a validation available immediately for hunting and a pictorial stamp that is mailed to the purchaser after the close of waterfowl seasons.

Federal duck stamps are available through the Minnesota DNR electronic licensing system, in person or online (mndnr.gov/buyalicense), and cost $30 per stamp.

Federal duck stamps are required for all hunters age 16 and older. Waterfowl hunters must also possess a small game license, state waterfowl stamp and Harvest Information Program certification. The state waterfowl stamp requirement is for residents age 18 to 64 and nonresidents age 16 and older.

As a reminder, an early goose permit is no longer required for goose hunters. Hunters may still need a small game license, state waterfowl stamp, federal duck stamp and HIP certification, and hunters can find more information about these requirements on pages 6-7 of the waterfowl hunting regulations available on the Minnesota DNR’s waterfowl hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl).