duck zone · Illinois Department of Natural Resources
North Zone
Illinois, United States
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About North Zone
North Zone is a duck zone in Illinois, United States, set by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 33,044 km² (12,758 mi²). Towns inside it include Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford and Elgin.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Illinois Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for waterfowl.
- Unit code
- North
- Area
- 33,044 km²
- Area (miles)
- 12,758 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,405 km² of public or protected land inside it, 4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 139 | under 1% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 123 | under 1% |
| Rock Island | 121 | under 1% |
| Forest Service Region 09 Eastern | 74 | under 1% |
| Forest Preserve District of Kane County | 69 | under 1% |
| McHenry County Conservation District | 56 | under 1% |
| Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife And Fish Refuge | 51 | under 1% |
| UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE | 50 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 792 | 2% |
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 Illinois Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American black duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American coot | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American wigeon | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Barrow's goldeneye | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Black scoter | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Blue-winged teal | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Bufflehead | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canvasback | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cinnamon teal | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common goldeneye | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common merganser | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Gadwall | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater scaup | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Green-winged teal | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Harlequin duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Hooded merganser | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| King eider | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Lesser scaup | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Long-tailed duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Mallard | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern pintail | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern shoveler | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Red-breasted merganser | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Redhead | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ring-necked duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ruddy duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Surf scoter | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| White-winged scoter | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Wood duck | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater scaup | Nov 13, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Lesser scaup | Nov 13, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | shotgun source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for North 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 North Zone (duck zone)?
About 33,044 km² (12,758 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Illinois Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in North Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,405 km² of public or protected land, 4% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for North Zone?
This page lists 31 seasons a person has checked against Illinois Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to North Zone?
In the same unit system: Central Zone.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Illinois DNR (zone definition); U.S. Census Bureau. Licence: Zone defined in the 2026-2027 Illinois Digest and the federal frameworks; geometry public domain (U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.