West Virginia is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from October 4 through January 31, 2026, with 9 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Division of Natural Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Oct 4 – Oct 12 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 16 Second Split | |||
| Dec 21 – Jan 31 Third Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
1Verified: Dates and 6/18 limits match eRegs. Pintail fixed 1/3→3/9 (national change). Scaup has 4-way split (Dec 21-Jan 11 at 1, Jan 12-31 at 2) not fully represented. Gaps: light geese (3 splits) and youth waterfowl (Sept 20 + Nov 1) not in DB.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Oct 14 – Oct 19 Early Season | 3 | 9 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 16 Second Split | |||
| Dec 8 – Jan 31 Third Split |
1Verified: Dates and 3/9 limits match eRegs. Canada + white-fronted geese share these dates/limits.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Oct 4 – Oct 12 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 16 Second Split | |||
| Dec 21 – Jan 31 Third Split |
1Verified: Coot dates match eRegs (same as duck splits), 15/45 correct. Note: gallinules have different 2-way split (Oct 4-12, Dec 2-Jan 31) per eRegs but DB links them to coot 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.