New Hampshire 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 January 25, 2026, with 29 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish and Game Department within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1 | Oct 2 – Nov 30 Northern Zone Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 2 – Oct 8 Coastal Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 27 – Jan 18 Coastal Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| Inland & Connecticut River Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 Inland Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 27 – Dec 26 Inland Duck Season - Split 2 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
1Verified: All duck dates confirmed per NH Fish & Game press release. 6/18 confirmed. Pintail updated to 3/9 per 2025-26 national change. Species limits: Black Duck 2, Canvasback 2, Scaup 1, Mallard 4 (2 hen), Redhead 2, Wood Duck 3.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 2 – Nov 30 Regular Canada Goose | |||
| Coastal Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 2 – Oct 8 Regular Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Nov 27 – Jan 18 Regular Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Inland & Connecticut River Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 September Canada Goose | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 13 – Nov 11 Regular Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Nov 27 – Dec 26 Regular Canada Goose - Split 2 |
1Verified: Sept Canada goose 5/15 standard Atlantic Flyway early season.
2Verified: Regular Canada goose 2/6 confirmed. Dates match duck season splits per zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1 | Oct 2 – Nov 30 Snow Goose Season | 25 | – |
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 2 – Oct 8 Snow Goose Season - Split 1 | 25 | – |
| Nov 27 – Jan 18 Snow Goose Season - Split 2 | |||
| Inland & Connecticut River Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 Snow Goose Season - Split 1 | 25 | – |
| Nov 27 – Dec 26 Snow Goose Season - Split 2 |
1Verified: 25/null Atlantic Flyway light geese. Dates match duck splits per zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1 | Oct 2 – Nov 30 Coot Season | 15 | 45 |
| Inland & Connecticut River Zone1 | Oct 13 – Nov 11 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 27 – Dec 26 Coot Season - Split 2 | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 2 – Oct 8 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 27 – Jan 18 Coot Season - Split 2 |
1Verified: 15/45 standard. Dates match duck splits per zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Day | 6 | 18 |
| Coastal Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Day | 6 | 18 |
| Inland & Connecticut River Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Day | 6 | 18 |
1Verified: Sept 27-28 confirmed. No license required under 16, must be with licensed adult 18+.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1 | Jan 24 – Jan 25 Veterans/Active Military Day | 6 | 18 |
| Coastal Zone1 | Jan 24 – Jan 25 Veterans/Active Military Day | 6 | 18 |
| Inland & Connecticut River Zone1 | Jan 24 – Jan 25 Veterans/Active Military Day | 6 | 18 |
1Verified: Jan 24-25 confirmed. CT River Zone included, must launch from NH.
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.