duck and goose zone · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
South Zone
Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, United States, set by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 54,471 km² (21,032 mi²). Towns inside it include Rochester, Bloomington, Woodbury, Lakeville, Eagan and Burnsville.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for waterfowl.
- Unit code
- South
- Area
- 54,471 km²
- Area (miles)
- 21,032 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,313 km² of public or protected land inside it, 2% 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 | 491 | under 1% |
| DNR Forestry | 203 | under 1% |
| DNR Parks and Trails | 118 | under 1% |
| Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife And Fish Refuge | 80 | under 1% |
| UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE | 80 | under 1% |
| MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 42 | under 1% |
| Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge | 41 | under 1% |
| DNR Ecologic and Water Resources | 33 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 499 | 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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American black duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American coot | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American wigeon | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Barrow's goldeneye | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Black scoter | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Blue-winged teal | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Bufflehead | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canvasback | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cinnamon teal | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common gallinule | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common goldeneye | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common merganser | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Gadwall | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Green-winged teal | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Harlequin duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Hooded merganser | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| King eider | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Long-tailed duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Mallard | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern pintail | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern shoveler | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Red-breasted merganser | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Redhead | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ring-necked duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ruddy duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Surf scoter | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Jan 6, 2027 | shotgun source |
| White-winged scoter | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Wood duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater scaup | Oct 23, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Lesser scaup | Oct 23, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | shotgun source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Minnesota 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 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 54,471 km² (21,032 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in South Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,313 km² of public or protected land, 2% 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 36 seasons a person has checked against Minnesota 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.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Minnesota DNR (zone definition); U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line. Licence: Zones defined in Minn. R. 6240.0620 and the 2026 regulations (public law); geometry public domain (U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.