Nebraska is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 6 through April 15, 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 Game and Parks Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 31 | Oct 25 – Jan 6 First Segment | 6 | 18 |
| Jan 7 – Jan 28 Second Segment | |||
| Zone 41 | Oct 25 – Jan 6 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 11 | Oct 11 – Dec 23 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 22,3 | Oct 4 – Dec 16 Low Plains | 6 | 18 |
| Jan 7 – Jan 28 High Plains |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard max 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
1Central Flyway sub-limits: 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup.
2Zone 2 Low Plains. Central Flyway sub-limits: 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup.
3Zone 2 High Plains split season. Central Flyway sub-limits: 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 2 | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 1 | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 3 | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central Unit | Oct 4 – Jan 16 | 5 | 15 |
| Platte River Unit | Oct 28 – Feb 9 | 5 | 15 |
| Niobrara Unit | Oct 28 – Feb 9 | 5 | 15 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11 | Oct 4 – Dec 31 First Segment | 50 | – |
| Jan 25 – Feb 9 Second Segment | |||
| Zone 21 | Oct 4 – Dec 31 First Segment | 50 | – |
| Jan 25 – Feb 9 Second Segment | |||
| Zone 41 | Oct 4 – Dec 31 First Segment | 50 | – |
| Jan 25 – Feb 9 Second Segment | |||
| Zone 31 | Oct 4 – Dec 31 First Segment | 50 | – |
| Jan 25 – Feb 9 Second Segment |
1Possession limit: unlimited per NE Game & Parks. Light goose regular season statewide.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation Order - East1 | Feb 10 – Apr 15 | – | – |
| Conservation Order - West2 | Feb 10 – Apr 5 | – | – |
| Conservation Order - Rainwater Basin3 | Feb 10 – Apr 5 | – | – |
1Light Goose Conservation Order - East Zone. No bag or possession limits. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted.
2Light Goose Conservation Order - West Zone. No bag or possession limits. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted.
3Light Goose Conservation Order - Rainwater Basin Zone. No bag or possession limits. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 21 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 32 | Oct 18 – Oct 19 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 13 | Oct 4 – Oct 5 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 44 | Oct 18 – Oct 19 | 6 | 18 |
1Youth waterfowl weekend, Zone 2. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
2Youth waterfowl weekend, Zone 3. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
3Youth waterfowl weekend, Zone 1. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
4Youth waterfowl weekend, Zone 4. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 41 | Oct 18 – Oct 19 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 12 | Oct 4 – Oct 5 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 33 | Oct 18 – Oct 19 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone 24 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 | 6 | 18 |
1Veterans/Active Military waterfowl weekend, Zone 4. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
2Veterans/Active Military waterfowl weekend, Zone 1. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
3Veterans/Active Military waterfowl weekend, Zone 3. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
4Veterans/Active Military waterfowl weekend, Zone 2. Same bag limits as regular duck season.
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 was verified on March 9, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.