Mergansers (Hooded / Common / RB) in Wisconsin
hunting regulations.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with Wisconsin DNR. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Mergansers (Hooded / Common / RB) is general season in Wisconsin. The agency above sets season dates, bag limits, and zone boundaries — those change yearly. Verify before you hunt.
About the species
Hooded, common, and red-breasted mergansers are the three North American merganser species, all fish-eating divers with serrated bills. Hoodies are small inland-water birds; commons are larger and migrate widely; red-breasted are typically saltwater coastal birds. Their fish diet makes them less popular as table fare than most ducks.
Bag limits typically allow mergansers within the aggregate duck bag, sometimes with a sub-limit on hooded mergansers. They're handsome birds and decoy moderately well; many hunters take them opportunistically rather than targeting them specifically.
Other waterfowl in Wisconsin
Want the picture for this species across every state? See Mergansers (Hooded / Common / RB) regulations by state. Or browse every huntable species in Wisconsin.