Question 1

What states are in the Atlantic Flyway?

Accepted Answer

The Atlantic Flyway includes 17 states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The flyway follows the Atlantic Coast and Appalachian corridor, one of four major waterfowl migration routes in North America recognized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Source: USFWS Flyway Councils, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 2

Which Atlantic Flyway state has the best duck hunting?

Accepted Answer

Maryland's Eastern Shore (Chesapeake Bay region) is nationally recognized as the premier Atlantic Flyway duck hunting destination, particularly for divers (canvasback, redhead, scaup) and black ducks. Delaware's tidal marshes and North Carolina's Outer Banks are also elite destinations. For puddle duck hunting, the coastal marshes of Virginia and North Carolina's interior waterways are highly productive. Hunting quality depends heavily on migration timing, which varies year to year. Source: USFWS Atlantic Flyway Council, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 3

When does duck season open in the Atlantic Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Atlantic Flyway duck seasons open at staggered dates for the 2025–26 season. Northern states open in October: Maine opens October 4, Massachusetts and Rhode Island open October 18, Connecticut and New York open October 4–25. Mid-Atlantic states open in late October to November: Pennsylvania opens October 18, Maryland and Delaware open November 8, Virginia and North Carolina open November 15. Southern states open in late November: South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida open November 22. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 4

What is the duck bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway?

Accepted Answer

The daily bag limit for ducks in most Atlantic Flyway states is 6 ducks per day for the 2025–26 season under the USFWS liberal framework. Species-specific sub-limits are stricter in the Atlantic Flyway than other flyways due to conservation concerns — pintail and canvasback limits may be 1–2/day, and black duck limits are often 2/day. Sea ducks have separate limits in New England states. Always check your specific state regulations. Source: USFWS and state agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 5

Does the Atlantic Flyway have early teal seasons?

Accepted Answer

Some Atlantic Flyway states offer early teal seasons — Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida have early September teal seasons running September 6–21, 2025. New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) generally do not have separate teal seasons. Source: USFWS and state agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 6

How much is a non-resident waterfowl license in Atlantic Flyway states?

Accepted Answer

Non-resident waterfowl license costs in Atlantic Flyway states for 2025–26: Maine $116, New Hampshire $131, Vermont $103, Massachusetts $65.50, Rhode Island $18, Connecticut $91, New York $125, Pennsylvania $101.97, New Jersey $34, Delaware $25, Maryland $61, Virginia $85, West Virginia $160, North Carolina $40, South Carolina $82, Georgia $55, Florida $151.50. All non-residents also need the federal Duck Stamp ($25) and HIP registration. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 7

What species are unique to the Atlantic Flyway?

Accepted Answer

The Atlantic Flyway hosts several species rarely found in other flyways: American black ducks (concentrated on the Atlantic Coast), brant (winter along NJ, NY, and CT coasts), and sea ducks including eider, scoter, and long-tailed duck. New England coastal hunters can access these species not available in interior flyways. The Atlantic Flyway also hosts significant canvasback, redhead, and greater scaup populations on Chesapeake Bay. Source: USFWS Atlantic Flyway Council, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 8

Do you need a federal duck stamp in Atlantic Flyway states?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp, $25 for 2025–26) is required in all 17 Atlantic Flyway states for hunters 16 and older. Additionally, all hunters must complete HIP registration in their state of residence. Several states also require state-specific stamps (e.g., Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege License). Source: USFWS, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 9

When does goose season open in the Atlantic Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Canada goose seasons in Atlantic Flyway states generally open September 1, 2025 for special early seasons, with regular seasons following in October–November. Snow goose and light goose conservation orders typically begin in November and extend through March. Maryland and New Jersey have significant Canada goose populations with seasons beginning September 1. Brant season dates vary by state and are typically November through January along the coast. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 10

What is special about the Chesapeake Bay for duck hunting?

Accepted Answer

Chesapeake Bay is the most important wintering area for several duck species in the Atlantic Flyway, historically supporting over 1 million canvasback ducks in peak years. The Bay's submerged aquatic vegetation provides critical food for diving ducks. Maryland's Eastern Shore counties — Dorchester, Talbot, Kent, Queen Anne's — are the hub of Atlantic Flyway diving duck hunting. USFWS manages special canvasback and redhead limits specifically to protect Bay populations. Source: USFWS Chesapeake Bay Program, verified 2026-05-08.

State	Opens	Closes	Bag	NR License
Maine	Oct 4, 2025	Dec 14, 2025	6	$116
Vermont	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 21, 2025	6	$103
New Hampshire	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 21, 2025	6	$131
Massachusetts	Oct 18, 2025	Dec 28, 2025	6	$65.50
Rhode Island	Oct 18, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$18
Connecticut	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 11, 2026	6	$91
New York	Oct 4, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 18, 2026	6	$125
Pennsylvania	Oct 18, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$101.97
New Jersey	Oct 18, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$34
Delaware	Nov 8, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$25
Maryland	Nov 8, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$61
Virginia	Nov 15, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$85
West Virginia	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$160
North Carolina	Nov 15, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$40
South Carolina	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$82
Georgia	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$55
Florida	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$151.50

State	Opens	Closes	Bag	NR License
Maine	Oct 4, 2025	Dec 14, 2025	6	$116
Vermont	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 21, 2025	6	$103
New Hampshire	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 21, 2025	6	$131
Massachusetts	Oct 18, 2025	Dec 28, 2025	6	$65.50
Rhode Island	Oct 18, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$18
Connecticut	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 11, 2026	6	$91
New York	Oct 4, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 18, 2026	6	$125
Pennsylvania	Oct 18, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$101.97
New Jersey	Oct 18, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$34
Delaware	Nov 8, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$25
Maryland	Nov 8, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$61
Virginia	Nov 15, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$85
West Virginia	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$160
North Carolina	Nov 15, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$40
South Carolina	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$82
Georgia	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$55
Florida	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$151.50

Atlantic Flyway Duck Season 2025–26

2025–26 Season Comparison

Full State Guides

Atlantic Flyway — Frequently Asked Questions

Other Flyways

Atlantic Flyway Duck Season 2025–26

2025–26 Season Comparison

Full State Guides

Atlantic Flyway — Frequently Asked Questions

Other Flyways