duck and goose zone · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
South Zone
Iowa, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About South Zone
South Zone is a duck and goose zone in Iowa, United States, set by Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 33,335 km² (12,871 mi²). Towns inside it include Ottumwa, Burlington, Oskaloosa, Fort Madison, Keokuk and Fairfield.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Iowa Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for waterfowl.
- Unit code
- South
- Area
- 33,335 km²
- Area (miles)
- 12,871 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 979 km² of public or protected land inside it, 3% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DNR - Wildlife | 429 | 1% |
| Kansas City | 133 | under 1% |
| State Department of Natural Resources | 101 | under 1% |
| DNR - Forestry | 99 | under 1% |
| DNR - Parks | 72 | under 1% |
| Rock Island | 54 | under 1% |
| Army Corps of Engineers | 27 | under 1% |
| Desoto National Wildlife Refuge | 14 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 197 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Iowa Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American black duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American coot | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American wigeon | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Barrow's goldeneye | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Black scoter | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Blue-winged teal | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Bufflehead | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canvasback | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cinnamon teal | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common goldeneye | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common merganser | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Gadwall | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater scaup | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 1, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Green-winged teal | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Harlequin duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Hooded merganser | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| King eider | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Lesser scaup | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 1, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Long-tailed duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Mallard | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern pintail | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern shoveler | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Red-breasted merganser | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Redhead | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ring-necked duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ruddy duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Surf scoter | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| White-winged scoter | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Wood duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater scaup | Nov 2, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Lesser scaup | Nov 2, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | shotgun source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Nonresident Zone 3 (nonresident deer zone)
- Bobcat counties, limit 3 (bobcat season county group)
- Fall Turkey Zone 4
- Nonresident Spring Turkey Zone 4
- Nonresident Zone 4 (nonresident deer zone)
- Nonresident Zone 5 (nonresident deer zone)
- Fall Turkey Zone 5
- Nonresident Spring Turkey Zone 5
- Nonresident Zone 6 (nonresident deer zone)
- Zone A (resident deer zone)
What HuntGrid shows for South Zone
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is South Zone (duck and goose zone)?
About 33,335 km² (12,871 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Iowa Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in South Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 979 km² of public or protected land, 3% of the unit; the largest share is managed by DNR - Wildlife. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for South Zone?
This page lists 43 seasons a person has checked against Iowa Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to South Zone?
In the same unit system: Central Zone and North Zone.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Licence: Iowa DNR. Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.