Migratory Game Bird & Waterfowl Seasons
2022-2023 Migratory Game Birds Seasons and Bag Limits
Species and Area | Seasons | Limits | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Day | Last Day | Daily Bag | Possession | ||
Crows* Wildlife Management Districts 1-6 | August 1, 2022 | September 23, 2022 | No Limit | ||
February 6, 2023 | April 15, 2023 | ||||
August 1, 2023 | September 23, 2023 | ||||
Crows* Wildlife Management Districts 7-29 | August 1, 2022 | September 23, 2022 | |||
January 21, 2023 | March 31, 2023 | ||||
August 1, 2023 | September 23, 2023 | ||||
Common Snipe** | September 1, 2022 | January 3, 2023 | 8 | 24 | |
Woodcock** | September 24, 2022 | November 15, 2022 | 3 | 9 | |
Rails (Sora and Virginia)*** | September 1, 2022 | November 21, 202 | 25 Singly or in aggregate | ||
Canada Goose (Early) | North Zone | September 1, 2022 | September 24, 2022 | 6 | 18 |
South Zone | September 1, 2022 | September 24, 2022 | 10 | 30 | |
Coastal Zone | September 1, 2022 | September 24, 2022 | 10 | 30 | |
Canada Goose Regular, White-Fronted Geese | North Zone | October 1, 2022 | December 9, 2022 | 2 | 6 |
South Zone | October 1, 2022 | October 15, 2022 | |||
November 1, 2022 | December 24, 2022 | ||||
Coastal Zone | October 1, 2022 | October 8, 2022 | 3 | 9 | |
October 27, 2022 | January 7, 2023 | ||||
Snow Geese Including Blue Geese | October 1, 2022 | January 31, 2023 | 25 | ||
Regular Ducks Including Black Ducks, American Coot, American Wigeon, Common Goldeneye, Scaup, Sea Ducks, Teal, Mergansers, Pintails, Ring-Necked Duck | North Zone | September 26, 2022 | December 3, 2022 | 6 Species-specific bag limits may be found below. All duck species not listed under exceptions below have a daily bag limit of 4 and possession limit of 12. | 18 Species-specific bag limits may be found below. All duck species not listed under exceptions below have a daily bag limit of 4 and possession limit of 12. |
South Zone | October 1, 2022 | October 15, 2022 | |||
November 1, 2022 | December 24, 2022 | ||||
Coastal Zone | October 1, 2022 | October 8, 2022 | |||
November 8, 2022 | January 7, 2023 | ||||
Brant | North Zone | September 26, 2022 | November 22, 2022 | 2 | 6 |
South Zone | October 1, 2022 | October 15, 2022 | |||
November 1, 2022 | December 13, 2022 | ||||
Coastal Zone | October 1, 2022 | October 8, 2022 | |||
November 19, 2022 | January 7, 2023 | ||||
Special Falconry Season In addition to the regular migratory bird season (on Ducks, Geese, Mergansers, American Coots.) | North Zone | December 17, 2022 | February 7, 2021 | 3 Respectively, singly or in aggregate Species Restrictions Apply | 9 Respectively, singly or in aggregate Species Restrictions Apply |
South Zone | January 9, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |||
Coastal Zone | January 9, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |||
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts All duck species except Harlequins, Barrow’s Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules – may be hunted on these days, including geese. For the Sept 24, Oct 22, Oct 29 and Dec 10 youth days, the goose limit is under the Regular Season limit. On youth waterfowl hunting days, scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks may be taken as part of the 6 bird daily limit on regular ducks. Also on these dates, 2 Black Ducks may be taken. | North Zone | September 17, 2022 & December 10, 2022 | Special regulations apply to youth and accompanying adult. Please see Junior Hunters section. | ||
South Zone | September 24, 2022 & October 22, 2022 | ||||
Coastal Zone | September 24, 2022 & October 29, 2022 |
All dates are inclusive except that hunting is prohibited on Sunday.
* Crows are neither migratory waterfowl or migratory game birds. The use of lead shot and the use of a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is permitted. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required. Use of electronic calls is permitted.
** Woodcock & Snipe are considered migratory game birds, not migratory waterfowl. The use of lead shot is permitted.
The use of a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required.
*** Rails are considered migratory game birds not migratory waterfowl. The use of lead shot and a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required.
Exceptions
Species | Limit |
---|---|
Harlequin Ducks, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Moorhens & Gallinules | Closed Season |
American Coots | In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may take 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time. |
Northern Pintails, Mottled Ducks, Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Scaup and Hen Mallards, Hen Eiders | The daily limit on these species is 1 bird; possession limit is 3. |
Black Duck, Redhead, and Canvasback | The daily limit on these species is 2 birds; possession limit is 6. |
Mallards | The daily limit is 2, only one may be a hen; possession limit is 6, only 3 may be hens. |
Mergansers (Common, Red-breasted and Hooded) | In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may take 5 mergansers in the aggregate, with a species specific limit of 5. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 mergansers at any time. |
Sea Ducks (Scoter, Eider, and Long-Tailed Duck) | Hunters may take 4 sea ducks under the general 6 duck daily bag limit. No more than 3 scoter, eider (no more than 1 hen eider), or long-tailed duck. |
Wood Ducks | The daily limit is 3 birds, possession limit is 9. |
Hunting Hours
Hunting hours on migratory game birds are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset daily.