Maryland is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 10, 2027, with 30 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Natural Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1,2,3,4,5 | Oct 10 – Oct 17 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 14 – Nov 27 Second Split | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 30 Third Split | |||
| Western Zone1,3,6,7,8 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 27 Second Split | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 30 Third Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
14 mallards (only 2 hens); 3 wood ducks; 2 canvasbacks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 1 scaup/day (2/day Jan. 8–Jan. 30); 1 fulvous tree duck; 1 mottled duck; 4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 long-tailed ducks, ≤3 eiders w/ only 1 eider hen). No black duck season in this split. No harlequin ducks.
2Possession limit = 3x daily bag (18). Black Duck Season does not overlap this split.
34 mallards (only 2 hens); 3 wood ducks; 2 black ducks (Black Duck Season open concurrently); 2 canvasbacks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 1 scaup/day (2/day Jan. 8–Jan. 30); 1 fulvous tree duck; 1 mottled duck; 4 sea ducks (≤3 scoters, ≤3 long-tailed ducks, ≤3 eiders w/ only 1 eider hen). No harlequin ducks.
4Black Duck Season (2 black ducks limit, Black Duck Season only) runs concurrently Nov. 14–Nov. 27.
5Black Duck Season also runs Dec. 15–Jan. 30 concurrently. Scaup increases to 2/day from Jan. 8–Jan. 30.
6Black Duck Season does not overlap this split in Western Zone.
7Black Duck Season (2 black ducks, Black Duck Season only) runs concurrently Nov. 21–Nov. 27 in Western Zone.
8Black Duck Season also runs Dec. 15–Jan. 30 concurrently in Western Zone. Scaup increases to 2/day from Jan. 8–Jan. 30.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1,2 | Sep 17 – Sep 26 Special September Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
1Blue-winged and green-winged teal only. Open in specific Eastern Shore and partial Anne Arundel, Prince George's, and Charles counties only.
2Season is county-specific, not a true statewide or full Eastern Zone season; counties listed overlap Eastern Zone area.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Resident Canada Goose Season | 8 | 24 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 23 Late Southern Maryland Resident Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Nov 24 – Nov 27 Migratory Canada Goose (Atlantic Population) Season - Split 1 | |||
| Nov 24 – Nov 27 Late Southern Maryland Resident Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 30 Migratory Canada Goose (Atlantic Population) Season - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 30 Late Southern Maryland Resident Canada Goose - Split 3 | |||
| Feb 1 – Mar 10 Late Southern Maryland Resident Canada Goose - Split 4 | |||
| Western Zone1,12,13,14 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 Early Resident Canada Goose Season | 8 | 24 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 27 Late Western Maryland Resident Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Dec 15 – Mar 10 Late Western Maryland Resident Canada Goose - Split 2 |
1Resident Canada geese only. Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells permitted during September season only.
2County-specific zone listed on page (same counties as Eastern Zone teal season).
3Atlantic Population Hunt Zone only. Bag limit may include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese.
4Zone is county-specific as described on page; corresponds broadly to Eastern Zone.
5Zone is county-specific; corresponds broadly to Eastern Zone.
6Late Resident Southern Maryland Zone only (Montgomery Co.; portions of Prince George's and Charles counties west of Rte 3/301). Includes Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
7Zone is a sub-area of the Western Zone boundary; mapped here as Eastern Zone due to closest match but reviewer should note it is the 'Late Southern Maryland' zone.
8Late Resident Southern Maryland Zone only. Includes Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
9Bag limit drops to 2/day (matching AP zone) Nov. 24–27.
10Continues at 2/day during this segment.
11Bag limit returns to 5/day for this late segment.
12County-specific zone listed on page (same counties as Western Zone).
13Late Resident Western Maryland Zone (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington, and portion of Carroll Co.). Includes Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
14Late Resident Western Maryland Zone only. Includes Canada, cackling, and white-fronted geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 7 – Nov 27 Light Goose Season - Statewide Segment 1 | 25 | – |
| Nov 30 – Feb 6 Light Goose Season - Statewide Segment 2 | |||
| Eastern Zone3,4 | Feb 8 – Mar 10 Light Goose Season - Eastern Zone Only Segment 3 | 25 | – |
1Greater snow geese, lesser snow geese, and Ross's geese. No possession limit. Standard methods only (no electronic calls, shotgun capacity ≤3 shells).
2No possession limit stated. Statewide.
3Eastern Zone only. Greater snow geese, lesser snow geese, and Ross's geese. No possession limit. Special methods allowed: shotguns capable of holding >3 shells, electronic calls with recordings of light geese.
4Special methods and extended shooting hours (to 1/2 hr after sunset) apply in this segment. Special Sea Duck Zone excluded from hunt area.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1,2 | Oct 10 – Oct 17 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 14 – Nov 27 Second Split | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 30 Third Split | |||
| Western Zone3 | Oct 3 – Oct 17 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 27 Second Split | |||
| Dec 15 – Jan 30 Third Split |
1Coots are listed as part of the duck season; coot season dates match the duck season dates per zone.
2Coot season concurrent with duck season dates in Eastern Zone.
3Coot season concurrent with duck season dates in Western Zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 7 – Nov 7 Youth/Veteran/Military Day 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth/Veteran/Military Day 2 |
16 ducks (4 sea ducks, 4 mallards/2 hens max, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 fulvous tree duck, 1 mottled duck); 1 brant; 2 Canada geese (Atlantic Pop. Zone) or 5 Canada geese (Late Southern or Western Resident Zone); 15 coots; 25 light geese. Open to hunters ≤16, military veterans, active duty military.
2Statewide. Also open Feb. 6, 2027 (see segment 2). Youth must be accompanied by unarmed adult 21+.
3Second statewide Youth/Veteran/Military day. Youth must be accompanied by unarmed adult 21+.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 1 – Mar 10 Extended Falconry - Ducks | 3 | 9 |
1Falconry only. Monday–Saturday only; no Sundays. Requires valid hunting license, migratory game bird stamps, and Falconry Permit.
2Extended falconry season for ducks only.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Dec 28 – Jan 30 Brant Statewide Season | 1 | 3 |
11 brant/day, possession limit of 3.
2Brant is not a duck, goose, or coot but a sea-going goose; mapped to 'other'.
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 2026-2027 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.