Read from Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service on August 8, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service before you hunt.
Hunting Alberta this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Alberta is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through December 23, 2026, with 14 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 11Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 Non-residents: not more than a total of 2 may be Barrow's Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination; non-residents possession limit not more than 6 Barrow's/Common Goldeneye in any combination | 24 |
| Zone No. 21 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 | 8 Non-residents: not more than a total of 2 may be Barrow's Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination; non-residents possession limit not more than 6 Barrow's/Common Goldeneye in any combination | 24 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Common Goldeneye Non-residents only: not more than a total of 2 may be Barrow's Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination | 2 | 6 |
1Non-residents: not more than a total of 2 may be Barrow's Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination; non-residents possession limit not more than 6 Barrow's/Common Goldeneye in any combination
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 11,2Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and White-Fronted Geese, combined | 24 |
| Zone No. 21,3 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 | 8 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and White-Fronted Geese, combined | 24 |
1Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and White-Fronted Geese, combined
2Source combines Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and White-Fronted Geese into one season; filed under dark_geese as the combined season.
3Source combines Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and White-Fronted Geese into one season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 21,2 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 Regular Season | 50 No possession limit; electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used; while hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is open season may be hunted | – |
| Zone No. 11,2Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Season | 50 No possession limit; electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used; while hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is open season may be hunted | – |
1No possession limit; electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used; while hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is open season may be hunted
2Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 11,2Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Mar 15 – Jun 15 Spring Conservation Order | 50 No possession limit; electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used | – |
| Zone No. 21,2 | Mar 15 – Jun 15 Spring Conservation Order | 50 No possession limit; electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used | – |
1No possession limit; electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used
2Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 2 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 | 8 | 24 |
| Zone No. 1Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 21 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 | 5 Only in WMUs 102, 104, 106, 112, 116, 118, 119, 124, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 148, 150 to 152, 156, 158, 160, 162 to 164, 166 and 210 | 15 |
| Zone No. 12,3Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 Only in WMUs 200, 202 to 204, 206, 208, 220, 222, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, 247, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 336, 500 to 510, 514, 515 and 841 | 15 |
1Only in WMUs 102, 104, 106, 112, 116, 118, 119, 124, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 148, 150 to 152, 156, 158, 160, 162 to 164, 166 and 210
2Only in WMUs 200, 202 to 204, 206, 208, 220, 222, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, 247, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 336, 500 to 510, 514, 515 and 841
3Sandhill Crane hunt expanded in Zone No. 1 to WMUs 336, 501 to 510, 514, 515 and 841 per important update notice.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 11Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta summary: "the cities of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Red Deer are located in Zone No. 1." Note this is the NORTHERN zone — the inverse of the legacy "District 1 - Southern" label. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Snipe | 8 | 24 |
| Zone No. 21 | Sep 8 – Dec 23 Snipe | 8 | 24 |
1Common Snipe (Wilson's Snipe) season.
Season dates and bag limits are verified against the Migratory Birds Regulations published by Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 8, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.