2026-2030 Duck Zone Boundaries
North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west from the Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25 to Sandy Slough Road East; west on Sandy Slough Road East to Sandy Slough Road North; west on Sandy Slough Road North to Lincoln County Hwy. N; west on Lincoln County Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy. 79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy. 47; west on Mo. Hwy. 47 to I-70; west on I-70 to U.S. Hwy. 63; north on U.S. Hwy. 63 to U.S. Hwy. 24; west on U.S. Hwy. 24 to Mo. Hwy. 10; west on Mo. Hwy. 10 to U.S. Hwy. 69; north on U.S. Hwy. 69 to Mo. Hwy. 116; west on Mo. Hwy. 116 to U.S. Hwy. 59; south on U.S. Hwy. 59 to the Kansas border.
Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones.
South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois border on MO Hwy 74 to MO Hwy 25; south on MO Hwy 25 to U.S. Hwy 62; west on U.S. Hwy 62 to MO Hwy 53; north on MO Hwy 53 to MO Hwy 51; north on MO Hwy 51 to U.S. Hwy 60; west on U.S. Hwy 60 to MO Hwy 21; north on MO Hwy 21 to MO Hwy 72; west on MO Hwy 72 to MO Hwy 32; west on MO Hwy 32 to U.S. Hwy 65; north on U.S. Hwy 65 to U.S. Hwy 54; west on U.S. Hwy 54 to the Kansas border.
| Zone | Liberal (60 Days) | Moderate (45 Days) /Restrictive (30 Days) |
|---|---|---|
| North |
| No formula - season dates established after USFWS announces moderate or restrictive packages. |
| Middle |
| |
| South |
|
Each year’s regulation recommendation is based on the status of the mallard breeding population and the condition of prairie ponds in the northern U.S. and Canada. A three-tiered package of open seasons includes liberal (60 days), moderate (45 days), and restrictive (30 days) options. For more information, see the USFWS Adaptive Harvest Management.
Options for Duck Zones and Split Seasons
Duck zones are used to provide the best season dates for private and public land. Missouri has the opportunity to revise zones every five years, with possible options including the following:
- Four zones and no splits
- Three zones with potential for one split (two open segments) in each zone
- Two zones with potential for up to two splits (three open segments) in each zone
- A statewide season with potential for two splits (three open segments) in each zone
A split season refers to a season that is open for a period of time, closes, and then reopens for a second period of time.
Zone Boundaries Represent a Compromise
Given the range of hunter preferences, not all hunters will be completely satisfied with season dates and zone boundaries. Our aim is to accommodate at least a portion of most hunters’ desires.
Whether or not changes are recommended for a given five-year period will depend primarily upon hunter input. If most hunters from a particular region prefer a different season structure (zones and splits) or season dates, a change will likely be recommended. Otherwise, we will not recommend change just for the sake of change. Regardless, we appreciate hunters' time and effort, which help us develop the best possible recommendations for Missouri duck hunters.