Alberta 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 June 15, 2026, with 22 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Alberta Environment and Protected Areas within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 3 - North-Central1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Duck Season | 8 | 24 |
| District 4 - Northern1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Duck Season | 8 | 24 |
| District 2 - South-Central1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Duck Season | 8 | 24 |
| Sep 8 – Dec 23 | |||
| District 1 - Southern1,2,4 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Sep 8 – Dec 23 Regular Duck Season |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
1Verified: Dates and 8/24 limits match ECCC/Alberta regs. D1=Zone2(Sep8-Dec23), D2-D4=Zone1(Sep1-Dec16). Fixed D1 close Dec21→Dec23, D2 close Dec21→Dec16. DB districts mapped to ECCC 2-zone system. Pintail 1/3 retained (Canadian ECCC limit, not US). Gaps: coots not in DB.
28 for residents of Canada; 8 for non-residents (not more than a total of 2 may be Barrow's Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination); possession limit of 24 for residents, 24 for non-residents (not more than 6 Barrow's/Common Goldeneye in any combination)
3Zone No. 2 covers WMUs 100-series and part of 200/300 series
4Zone No. 1 on the regulation page corresponds to the southern/central zone group. AB Zone No. 1 covers WMUs 200-series, 300-series, 400-series, 500-series etc.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 4 - Northern1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 8 | 24 |
| District 3 - North-Central1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 8 | 24 |
| District 2 - South-Central1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 8 | 24 |
| Sep 8 – Dec 23 | |||
| District 1 - Southern1,2,4 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Sep 8 – Dec 23 Canada/Cackling Goose Season |
1Verified: 8/24 limits correct. Fixed close dates from Feb28/Mar10 → Dec23/Dec16 to match ECCC schedule. Canada+Cackling+White-fronted combined in aggregate. DB dark_geese species only list Canada+Cackling (white-fronted missing from species_bag_limits).
2Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and White-fronted Geese, combined
3Zone No. 2
4Zone No. 1
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 3 - North-Central1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 50 | – |
| District 4 - Northern1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 50 | – |
| District 2 - South-Central2,3 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 Regular Season | 50 | – |
| District 1 - Southern2,4 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Season | 50 | – |
1Verified: Fixed daily bag 20→50 and possession 60→NULL per ECCC. Fixed D1 dates Sep1→Sep8, Dec21→Dec23. Fixed D2 close Dec21→Dec16. Spring conservation season (Mar15-Jun15, 50/day) not in DB.
2Snow Geese and Ross's Geese combined; no possession limit; electronic bird calls permitted; while hunting with calls, other open-season migratory birds may also be hunted
3Zone No. 2; no possession limit stated
4Zone No. 1; no possession limit stated
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 2 - South-Central1,2 | Mar 15 – Jun 15 Spring Conservation Order | 50 | – |
| District 1 - Southern1,3 | Mar 15 – Jun 15 Spring Conservation Order | 50 | – |
1Snow Geese and Ross's Geese combined; no possession limit; electronic bird calls permitted
2Zone No. 2; spring special conservation harvest; no possession limit stated
3Zone No. 1; spring special conservation harvest; no possession limit stated
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 2 - South-Central1 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 | 8 | 24 |
| District 1 - Southern2 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 | 24 |
1Zone No. 2
2Zone No. 1
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 2 - South-Central1,2 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 | 5 | 15 |
| District 1 - Southern3,4 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 | 15 |
1Only in WMUs 102, 104, 106, 112, 116, 118, 119, 124, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 148, 150-152, 156, 158, 160, 162-164, 166 and 210
2Zone No. 2; restricted to specific WMUs only
3Only in WMUs 200, 202-204, 206, 208, 220, 222, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260 and 500
4Zone No. 1; restricted to specific WMUs only
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.