South Dakota 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 February 15, 2026, with 11 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Game, Fish and Parks within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Plains - North | Sep 27 – Dec 9 | 6 | 18 |
| Low Plains - Middle | Sep 27 – Dec 9 | 6 | 18 |
| Low Plains - South | Oct 25 – Jan 6 | 6 | 18 |
| High Plains | Oct 11 – Jan 15 | 6 | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Mallard max 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Unit 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Early Season | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 16 Regular Season | |||
| Goose Unit 2 | Nov 3 – Feb 15 | 4 | 12 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Unit 21 | Nov 3 – Feb 15 | 50 | – |
| Goose Unit 11 | Oct 1 – Dec 16 | 50 | – |
1Possession limit: unlimited per SD GFP
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 1 – Nov 9 | 15 | 45 |
1Statewide; rails season runs concurrently
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 13 – Sep 14 | 6 | 12 |
1Statewide; possession = 2x daily per SD GFP
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.