Massachusetts 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 34 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Zone1 | Oct 11 – Nov 28 Regular Duck Season - First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 15 – Jan 3 Regular Duck Season - Second Split | |||
| Berkshire Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 28 Regular Duck Season - First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 13 – Jan 3 Regular Duck Season - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 Regular Duck Season - First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 28 – Jan 28 Regular Duck Season - Second Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
1Verified: Duck dates and bag limits confirmed. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national 2025-26 change). Species sub-limits confirmed (Black Duck 2, Mallard 4/2hen, Canvasback 2, Scaup 1, Wood Duck 3, Redhead 2).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 11 – Nov 28 Regular Canada Goose - First Split | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 3 Regular Canada Goose - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 11 – Oct 18 Regular Canada Goose - First Split | |||
| Nov 28 – Jan 28 Regular Canada Goose - Second Split | |||
| Berkshire Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 13 – Nov 28 Regular Canada Goose - First Split | |||
| Dec 13 – Jan 3 Regular Canada Goose - Second Split |
1Verified with note: DB has Sept 1-25; third-party sources indicate Sept 1-19. Official PDF inaccessible for confirmation. Bag 15/45 confirmed.
2Verified with note: DB has 3/9 all zones. Third-party sources suggest Berkshire 1 daily (ending Nov 15 only), Central/Coastal 2 daily. Official PDF needed to confirm. Missing late Canada goose seasons (Berkshire Dec 15-Feb 14, Central Jan 17-Feb 14, Coastal Jan 29-Feb 14).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1 | Nov 28 – Jan 1 Brant Season | 1 | 3 |
1Verified with note: Brant Coastal Zone. DB has Nov 28-Jan 28 2/6. One source suggests Nov 28-Jan 1 1/3. Official PDF needed to confirm.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Zone1 | Oct 11 – Nov 28 Snow Goose Season - First Split | 25 | – |
| Dec 15 – Jan 3 Snow Goose Season - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 Snow Goose Season - First Split | 25 | – |
| Nov 28 – Jan 28 Snow Goose Season - Second Split | |||
| Berkshire Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 28 Snow Goose Season - First Split | 25 | – |
| Dec 13 – Jan 3 Snow Goose Season - Second Split |
1Verified with note: DB has 25/null per federal framework. One source suggests MA may use 15/45. Official PDF needed to confirm.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Zone1 | Feb 7 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Coastal Zone1 | Feb 7 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Berkshire Zone1 | Feb 7 – Apr 15 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1Verified: Feb 7-Apr 15, no bag limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Zone1 | Oct 11 – Nov 28 Coot Season - First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 15 – Jan 3 Coot Season - Second Split | |||
| Berkshire Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 28 Coot Season - First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 13 – Jan 3 Coot Season - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 Coot Season - First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 28 – Jan 28 Coot Season - Second Split |
1Verified: Dates match duck season splits per zone. 15/45 confirmed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day | 6 | 18 |
| Berkshire Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day | 6 | 18 |
| Coastal Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day | 6 | 18 |
1Verified with note: DB has Sept 27-28. Third-party sources indicate Sept 20 + Oct 4. Official PDF needed to confirm dates.
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.