Maine 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 March 31, 2026, with 32 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 29 – Dec 6 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| South Zone1 | Oct 1 – Oct 11 Regular Duck Season - First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 29 – Dec 25 Regular Duck Season - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 11 Regular Duck Season - First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 6 – Jan 6 Regular Duck Season - Second Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 9 Regular Canada Goose | |||
| South Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 11 Regular Canada Goose - First Split | |||
| Oct 29 – Dec 25 Regular Canada Goose - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 4 – Oct 11 Regular Canada Goose - First Split | |||
| Oct 25 – Jan 6 Regular Canada Goose - Second Split |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct 1 – Nov 1 Brant Season | 1 | 3 |
| South Zone | Oct 1 – Oct 11 Brant Seg 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 29 – Nov 20 Brant Seg 2 | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 11 Brant Seg 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 11 – Jan 6 Brant Seg 2 |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 1 – Jan 30 Snow Goose Season | 25 | – |
| South Zone1 | Oct 1 – Jan 30 Snow Goose Season | 25 | – |
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 1 – Jan 30 Snow Goose Season | 25 | – |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Feb 1 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| South Zone1 | Feb 1 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Coastal Zone1 | Feb 1 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 29 – Dec 6 Coot Season | 15 | 45 |
| South Zone1 | Oct 1 – Oct 11 Coot Season - First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 29 – Dec 25 Coot Season - Second Split | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 11 Coot Season - First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 6 – Jan 6 Coot Season - Second Split |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day | 6 | 18 |
| South Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day | 6 | 18 |
| Coastal Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day | 6 | 18 |
1Verified against ME IFW 2025-26 regs. Pintail updated 1→3 daily (national change). North Zone Canada goose dates corrected to Oct 1-Dec 9. Coastal Zone Canada goose 2nd split corrected to Oct 25 start. Youth days may differ by zone (DB simplified). Brant only in Coastal Zone, missing North/South zone brant seasons.
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.