Nova Scotia is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through January 22, 2026, with 27 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Nova Scotia Dept of Natural Resources and Renewables within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 31 | Oct 8 – Jan 22 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 21,2,3 | Oct 1 – Jan 5 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 8 – Jan 22 | |||
| Zone 11,2,3 | Oct 1 – Jan 15 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 1 – Jan 15 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
1Verified against ECCC 2025-26 NS regs. Zone 1: Oct 1-Jan 15 (6/18). Zone 2: Oct 8-Jan 22 (6/18). Max 1 Barrow's Goldeneye. DB has 3 zones but official only lists 2; Zone 2 in DB kept as-is with note.
2Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. Excludes Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and Scoters. Possession limit: not more than 1 Barrow's Goldeneye.
3Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 31 | Oct 16 – Jan 15 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 5 | 20 |
| Zone 12,3,4,5 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Season | 5 | 20 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 31 Main Season | |||
| Oct 1 – Dec 31 Regular Goose Season | |||
| Zone 24,6,7,8 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Goose Season | 10 | 20 |
| Oct 16 – Jan 15 Regular Goose Season | |||
| Oct 16 – Jan 15 Main Season |
1Verified against ECCC 2025-26 NS regs. NS combines ALL geese at 5/20. Zone 1: Oct 1-Dec 31. Zone 2: Oct 16-Jan 15. Early season Sep 1-15 (5+5 additional) not in DB.
25 plus an additional 5 Canada Geese or Cackling Geese in any combination.
3All Geese combined. Early September segment.
4All Geese combined.
5All Geese combined. Main October–December segment.
65 (plus an additional 5 Canada Geese or Cackling Geese in any combination). Total daily bag effectively 10.
7All Geese combined. Daily bag listed as '5 plus an additional 5 Canada Geese or Cackling Geese in any combination'.
8All Geese combined. Main October–January segment.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 31 | Oct 16 – Jan 15 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 5 | 20 |
| Zone 21 | Oct 16 – Jan 15 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 5 | 20 |
| Zone 11 | Oct 1 – Dec 31 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 5 | 20 |
1Verified against ECCC 2025-26 NS regs. NS combines ALL geese at 5/20 (Snow/Ross included in combined goose limit). Dates aligned to goose season per zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 | Oct 1 – Nov 1 First Segment (no Eiders) | 5 | 10 |
| Oct 1 – Nov 1 First Split | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Split | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Segment (Eiders included) | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 15 Third Segment (no Eiders) | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 15 Third Split | |||
| Zone 21,2,4,5,6,7,8,9 | Oct 8 – Nov 1 First Split | 5 | 10 |
| Oct 8 – Nov 1 First Segment (no Eiders) | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Segment (Eiders included) | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Split | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 22 Third Segment (no Eiders) | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 22 Third Split |
1Not more than 4 may be Scoters. Eiders not included this segment. Possession limit: not more than 4 Eiders and not more than 8 Scoters combined.
2Species group: Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and Scoters, combined. Eiders closed this segment.
3Not more than 4 may be Scoters. Eiders not included this segment. Possession limit: not more than 4 may be Eiders and not more than 8 may be Scoters.
4Species group: Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and Scoters, combined. Eiders not open this segment.
5Not more than 2 may be Eiders (of which not more than 1 may be female), not more than 4 may be Scoters. Possession limit: not more than 4 Eiders, not more than 8 Scoters.
6Species group: Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and Scoters, combined. Only season for Eiders.
7Not more than 2 may be Eiders (of which not more than 1 may be female), and not more than 4 may be Scoters. This is the only season for Eiders. Possession limit: not more than 4 Eiders and not more than 8 Scoters.
8Species group: Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders, and Scoters, combined.
9Not more than 4 may be Scoters. Eiders not included this segment. Possession limit: not more than 4 Eiders, not more than 8 Scoters.
Season dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2025-2026 season. This data has not yet been verified against official sources for this season. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.