Pennsylvania is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through April 15, 2026, with 41 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Game Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Zone1 | Oct 11 – Nov 28 Northwest Zone Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 22 – Jan 10 Northwest Zone Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| North Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 North Zone Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 18 – Jan 10 North Zone Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 South Zone Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 19 – Jan 19 South Zone Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| Lake Erie Zone1 | Nov 3 – Jan 10 Lake Erie Zone Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
1Verified: All 4 zone dates match official PA Game Commission. Bag 6/18. Pintail 3/9 correct. Gaps: scaup mid-season limit change (1 early to 2 late) not captured; brant season (Oct 11-Nov 14, 1/3) missing from DB.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Oct 25 – Nov 28 Regular Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 17 Regular Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Jan 30 – Feb 21 Late Canada Goose | |||
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Oct 25 – Nov 28 Regular Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 17 Regular Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Jan 30 – Feb 21 Late Canada Goose | |||
| South Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Oct 25 – Nov 28 Regular Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 17 Regular Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Jan 30 – Feb 21 Late Canada Goose | |||
| Lake Erie Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Oct 25 – Nov 28 Regular Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 17 Regular Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Jan 30 – Feb 21 Late Canada Goose |
1Verified: Sept Canada goose Sep 1-25, 8/24 matches official PA source.
2Verified: Updated to RP (Resident Population) zone limit 5/15. Dates match. Gap: AP (Atlantic Population) zone has 1/3 limit with different dates (Nov 25-28, Dec 20-Jan 19) — not captured in DB zone structure.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 Snow Goose Season - Split 1 | 25 | – |
| Nov 18 – Jan 10 Snow Goose Season - Split 2 | |||
| Northwest Zone1 | Oct 11 – Nov 28 Snow Goose Season - Split 1 | 25 | – |
| Dec 22 – Jan 10 Snow Goose Season - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 Snow Goose Season - Split 1 | 25 | – |
| Nov 19 – Jan 19 Snow Goose Season - Split 2 | |||
| Lake Erie Zone1 | Nov 3 – Jan 10 Snow Goose Season | 25 | – |
1Verified: Light geese dates approximate. Gap: PA has two populations (Atlantic Oct 1-Jan 24, Resident Oct 21-Feb 21) with different dates — DB partially captures. Bag 25/null correct.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| North Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| South Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Lake Erie Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1Verified: Conservation order dates approximate. Gap: PA has two conservation periods (Atlantic Jan 26-Apr 24, Resident Feb 23-Apr 24) — DB has single Feb 1-Apr 15.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 18 – Jan 10 Coot Season - Split 2 | |||
| Northwest Zone1 | Oct 11 – Nov 28 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 22 – Jan 10 Coot Season - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 19 – Jan 19 Coot Season - Split 2 | |||
| Lake Erie Zone1 | Nov 3 – Jan 10 Coot Season | 15 | 45 |
1Verified: Coot dates match duck season dates per zone. Bag 15/45 correct.
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.