Maryland 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 31 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 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 15 – Nov 28 Second Split | |||
| Dec 16 – Jan 31 Third Split | |||
| Western Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 22 – Nov 28 Second Split | |||
| Dec 16 – Jan 31 Third Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
1Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1 | Sep 18 – Sep 27 September Teal | 6 | 18 |
1Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 3 AP Goose Seg 1 | |||
| Jan 14 – Jan 31 AP Goose Seg 2 | |||
| Western Zone1,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 Early Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Nov 22 – Nov 28 RP Goose Seg 1 | |||
| Dec 16 – Jan 31 RP Goose Seg 2 |
1Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
2Atlantic Population zone
3Resident Population zone
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1 | Dec 29 – Jan 31 Brant | 1 | 3 |
1Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1 | Oct 1 – Nov 28 Snow Goose Seg 1 | 25 | – |
| Dec 15 – Jan 31 Snow Goose Seg 2 | |||
| Feb 7 – Feb 7 Snow Goose Feb | |||
| Western Zone1 | Oct 1 – Nov 28 Snow Goose Seg 1 | 25 | – |
| Dec 15 – Jan 31 Snow Goose Seg 2 |
1Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1,2 | Dec 1 – Dec 13 LGCO Seg 1 | – | – |
| Feb 2 – Feb 6 LGCO Seg 2 | |||
| Feb 9 – Apr 15 LGCO Seg 3 | |||
| Western Zone2 | Dec 1 – Dec 13 LGCO Seg 1 | – | – |
| Feb 2 – Feb 6 LGCO Seg 2 | |||
| Feb 9 – Apr 15 LGCO Seg 3 |
1No bag limit; e-calls and unplugged shotguns
2Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 18 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 15 – Nov 28 Second Split | |||
| Dec 16 – Jan 31 Third Split | |||
| Western Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 22 – Nov 28 Second Split | |||
| Dec 16 – Jan 31 Third Split |
1Verified against MD DNR 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). Scaup has split-season limit (1 early, 2 late Jan 9-31) — DB simplified to 1. Western Zone RP goose has complex alternating 5/1 limits — DB simplified. LGCO may be Eastern Zone only (DB has both zones). Missing youth/vet days (Nov 1, Feb 7).
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.