Ontario is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through May 31, 2026, with 39 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2,3 | Sep 10 – Dec 25 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Sep 10 – Dec 25 | |||
| Central District1,2,3 | Sep 20 – Jan 4 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Sep 20 – Jan 4 | |||
| Southern District1,4,5 | Sep 27 – Jan 11 | 6 | 18 |
| Sep 27 – Jan 11 Regular Duck Season | |||
| Hudson-James Bay District1,3,6 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 6 | 18 |
| Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Duck Season |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
1Verified: 6 daily/18 possession. Central Sep 20-Jan 4, HJB Sep 1-Dec 16, Northern Sep 1-Dec 25, Southern Sep 27-Jan 11. Includes early season segments in some districts.
2Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. Harlequin Ducks excluded.
3Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined
4Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. In WMUs 60–87E: 6 ducks. In WMUs 88–95: 6 ducks but not more than 3 may be American Black Ducks. Harlequin Ducks excluded.
5Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined. Two sub-limits by WMU group.
6Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. Harlequin Ducks excluded. No open season for Harlequin Ducks.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2,3,4,5 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Other Geese | 5 | 15 |
| Sep 1 – Sep 9 Early Season | |||
| Sep 10 – Dec 16 Main Season | |||
| Central District1,4,5 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Other Geese | 5 | 15 |
| Sep 1 – Sep 19 Early Season | |||
| Sep 20 – Dec 16 Main Season | |||
| Southern District1,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 | Sep 4 – Sep 14 Early Season | 10 | – |
| Sep 27 – Jan 11 Other Geese | |||
| Sep 27 – Dec 31 Main Season (Sunday-permitted municipalities) | |||
| Sep 27 – Jan 10 Main Season (Sunday-not-permitted municipalities) | |||
| Feb 28 – Mar 7 Late Season (Sunday-not-permitted municipalities only) | |||
| Hudson-James Bay District1,4,5,14,15 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Other Geese | 5 | 15 |
| Sep 1 – Dec 16 | |||
| Sep 1 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season |
1Geese other than Canada, Cackling, Snow, and Ross's Geese, combined.
2Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. 10 in WMUs 8, 10, 13, 36, 37, 39, 41 and 45; 5 in other WMUs. Possession: No limit.
3Two bag limits apply depending on WMU. Primary row uses the higher limit (10); the 5-bird limit for other WMUs is noted in special_restrictions.
4Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Possession: No limit.
5Possession limit stated as 'No limit'
6Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. 10 in WMUs 60–81, 83, 86–92 and 95; 8 in WMUs 82, 84, 85, 93 and 94. Sunday gun hunting rules apply (see notes). Possession: No limit.
7Season dates differ between Sunday-permitted and Sunday-not-permitted municipalities. In non-Sunday municipalities, Sundays are closed.
8Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. WMU-specific bag limits: 5 in WMUs 60–64, 66–81, 83, 86–92, 95 (Sep 27–Oct 31); 3 in WMUs 65, 82, 84, 85, 93 (Sep 27–Oct 31); 5 in WMUs 60–93 and 95 (Nov 1–Dec 31); 3 in WMU 94. Possession: No limit.
9Applies in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is permitted. Season ends December 31.
10Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Sundays excluded. WMU-specific bag limits: 5 in WMUs 60–64, 66–81, 83, 86–92, 95 (Sep 27–Oct 31); 3 in WMUs 65, 82, 84, 85, 93 (Sep 27–Oct 31); 5 in WMUs 60–93 and 95 (Nov 1–Jan 10); 3 in WMU 94. Possession: No limit. Season closed Jan 1–10 in Sunday-permitted municipalities.
11Applies in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted. Sundays are closed.
12Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Sundays excluded. 10 in WMUs 60–81, 83, 86–92 and 95; 8 in WMUs 82, 84, 85 and 93; No open season in WMU 94. Not an open season in municipalities that allow Sunday gun hunting. Possession: No limit.
13Only open in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is NOT permitted. Not open in Sunday-permitted municipalities.
14Includes White-fronted Geese and other dark geese species not listed separately
15Verified: 5 daily/no possession limit (residents). Central Sep 20-Dec 16, HJB Sep 1-Dec 16, Northern Sep 1-Dec 16, Southern Sep 27-Jan 10. Early goose seasons with higher limits exist in some WMUs.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 20 | – |
| Sep 10 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | |||
| Central District1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 20 | – |
| Sep 20 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | |||
| Southern District3,4,5,6 | Sep 27 – Jan 11 Main Season | 20 | – |
| Feb 28 – Mar 7 Late Season (Sunday-not-permitted municipalities only) | |||
| Hudson-James Bay District1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 50 | – |
| Sep 1 – Dec 16 |
1Verified: 20 daily/no limit (HJB 50 daily). Central Sep 20-Dec 16, HJB Sep 1-Dec 16, Northern Sep 1-Dec 16, Southern Sep 27-Jan 11. Conservation order may extend season.
2Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession: No limit.
3Possession limit stated as 'No limit'
4Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Sundays excluded in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted. Possession: No limit.
5Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Sundays excluded. Not an open season in municipalities that allow Sunday gun hunting. Possession: No limit.
6Only open in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern District1,2,3,4,5,6 | Sep 27 – Jan 11 Special Measures - Main Season | 20 | – |
| Feb 28 – Mar 7 Special Measures - Late Season (Sunday-not-permitted) | |||
| Mar 1 – May 31 Special Measures - Spring Conservation Order |
1Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Only WMUs 65, 66, 67 and 69B. Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese permitted. While hunting with those calls, any other migratory bird in open season may also be hunted. Possession: No limit.
2Special measures for overabundant species table. Electronic calls allowed.
3Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Only WMUs 65, 66, 67 and 69B. Sundays excluded in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted. Not an open season in municipalities that allow Sunday gun hunting. Electronic calls permitted. Possession: No limit.
4Special measures for overabundant species. Only applies in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted.
5Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Only WMUs 65, 66, 67 and 69B. Electronic calls permitted. Possession: No limit.
6Spring special conservation harvest for Snow Geese and Ross's Geese. Federal permit from 2025 is valid for 2026 spring harvest.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1 | Sep 10 – Dec 25 | 10 | 30 |
| Central District1 | Sep 20 – Jan 4 | 10 | 30 |
| Southern District1 | Sep 27 – Jan 11 | 10 | 30 |
| Hudson-James Bay District2 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 10 | 30 |
1Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules.
2Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules. No open season for Yellow Rails and King Rails.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central District1,2 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 15 | 45 |
| Southern District1,3 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 15 | 45 |
1Mourning Doves
2Mourning Doves season in Central District
3Mourning Doves season in Southern District
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.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.