Waterfowl hunters around Grand Lake St. Marys will want to take note of changes to Ohio’s hunting zones before the regular season begins in October.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife has revised the state’s waterfowl hunting zones for the 2026-27 season.

Under the new system, both Mercer and Auglaize counties are included in Zone A.

Ohio Administrative Code lists Zone A as including Mercer, Auglaize, Shelby, Van Wert and several other counties across northwest Ohio.

The special statewide youth and military waterfowl hunting seasons will be held October 3 and 4.

Hunters age 17 and younger may participate in the youth season, while qualifying active-duty military members and veterans may participate in the military season. Regular-season bag limits apply during the special weekend.

For Zone A, the regular duck season will be divided into two segments.

The first segment runs October 17 through November 1, followed by a second segment from November 14 through December 27.

Zone A goose season will also open October 17 and run through November 1 before reopening November 14 and continuing through February 1.

Regular waterfowl hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise through sunset unless otherwise posted.

ODNR is reminding hunters to confirm the zone of their hunting location because the revised waterfowl zone system takes effect for the 2026-27 season.

Hunters can find the complete zone map, season dates, bag limits and other regulations through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources or the HuntFish OH app.