Read from Department of Fish and Game on August 8, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Fish and Game before you hunt.
Open the official Alaska regulationsHunting Alaska this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Alaska is part of the Pacific Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through January 22, 2027, with 39 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Fish and Game within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Interior Alaska - GMU 11-13, 17-26 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 10 No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | 30 |
| Southeast Zone3,4,5,6Southeast Alaska - GMU 1-5 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 7 No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31. Season closed Dec. 1-15. | 21 |
| Dec 16 – Dec 31 Second Segment | 7 No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. Season closed Dec. 1-15. | 21 | |
| Pribilof/Aleutian Zone1,7ADF&G 2026-2027 regulations: "PRIBILOF/ALEUTIAN Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)". | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 7 No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | 21 |
| Kodiak Zone1,8Kodiak Island - GMU 8 | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 7 No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | 21 |
| Gulf Coast Zone1,9Gulf Coast - GMU 6-10, 14-16 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 8 No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | 24 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback Southeast Zone · Sep 1–Nov 30 · counted within 7-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback Kodiak Zone · Oct 8–Jan 22 · counted within 7-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback Southeast Zone · Dec 16–Dec 31 · counted within 7-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback Pribilof/Aleutian Zone · Oct 8–Jan 22 · counted within 7-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback North Zone · counted within 10-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback Gulf Coast Zone · counted within 8-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
1No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession.
2Units 11-13, 17-26.
3No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. Season closed Dec. 1-15.
4Second segment of Southeast duck season: Dec. 16-Dec. 31.
5No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31. Season closed Dec. 1-15.
6Two-segment season: Sept. 1-Nov. 30 and Dec. 16-Dec. 31. This row covers first segment.
7Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.).
8Unit 8.
9Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Interior Alaska - GMU 11-13, 17-26 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 4 Units 17 and 18: 3/day, 9 in possession. | 12 |
| Southeast Zone3,4,5Southeast Alaska - GMU 1-5 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 4 Canada Geese: 4/day, 12 in possession. Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31. | 12 |
| Dec 16 – Dec 31 Second Split | 4 Canada and white-fronted geese. | 12 | |
| Pribilof/Aleutian Zone6ADF&G 2026-2027 regulations: "PRIBILOF/ALEUTIAN Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)". | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 6 | 18 |
| Gulf Coast Zone7,8,9,10Gulf Coast - GMU 6-10, 14-16 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 4 Units 5 and 6: season is Sept. 28-Dec. 16. Unit 9: 3/day, 9 in possession. Unit 6(D) Middleton Island: by registration permit only, 1 goose per permit. Units 5 and 6: Canada geese open Sept 28 (not Sept 1). Middleton Island (6D): permit only, 1 goose. | 12 |
| Sep 28 – Dec 16 Units 5 and 6 | 4 Canada Geese only. Applies to Units 5 and 6. Units 5 and 6: Canada geese open Sept 28 (not Sept 1). Middleton Island (6D): permit only, 1 goose. | 12 | |
| Kodiak Zone11,12Kodiak Island - GMU 8 | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 1 Canada Geese: 1/day, 2 in possession. | 2 |
1Units 17 and 18: 3/day, 9 in possession.
2General limit 4/day; Units 17 and 18 reduced to 3/day per footnote 3.
3Canada Geese: 4/day, 12 in possession. Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31.
4Two-segment season concurrent with ducks. Applies to Units 1-4.
5Canada and white-fronted geese.
6Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.).
7Units 5 and 6: season is Sept. 28-Dec. 16. Unit 9: 3/day, 9 in possession. Unit 6(D) Middleton Island: by registration permit only, 1 goose per permit. Units 5 and 6: Canada geese open Sept 28 (not Sept 1). Middleton Island (6D): permit only, 1 goose.
8Statewide Canada Geese limit 4/day, 12 possession for Gulf Coast Zone; sub-unit exceptions noted.
9Canada Geese only. Applies to Units 5 and 6. Units 5 and 6: Canada geese open Sept 28 (not Sept 1). Middleton Island (6D): permit only, 1 goose.
10Units 5 and 6 have a later Canada goose season start date of Sept. 28 per footnote 5.
11Canada Geese: 1/day, 2 in possession.
12Unit 8.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Interior Alaska - GMU 11-13, 17-26 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 4 Units 17 and 18: 6/day, 18 in possession. | 12 |
| Southeast Zone3,4Southeast Alaska - GMU 1-5 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 4 Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31. | 12 |
| Pribilof/Aleutian Zone5ADF&G 2026-2027 regulations: "PRIBILOF/ALEUTIAN Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)". | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 6 | 18 |
| Kodiak Zone6Kodiak Island - GMU 8 | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 4 | 12 |
| Gulf Coast Zone7Gulf Coast - GMU 6-10, 14-16 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 4 Unit 9 and Unimak Island portion of Unit 10: 6/day, 18 in possession. | 12 |
1Units 17 and 18: 6/day, 18 in possession.
2General limit 4/day; Units 17 and 18 increased to 6/day per footnote 4.
3Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31.
4Two-segment season concurrent with ducks.
5Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.).
6Unit 8.
7Unit 9 and Unimak Island portion of Unit 10: 6/day, 18 in possession.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North ZoneInterior Alaska - GMU 11-13, 17-26 | Sep 1 – Oct 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Southeast ZoneSoutheast Alaska - GMU 1-5 | Sep 1 – Oct 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Gulf Coast ZoneGulf Coast - GMU 6-10, 14-16 | Oct 1 – Nov 20 | 2 | 6 |
| Kodiak ZoneKodiak Island - GMU 8 | Oct 8 – Nov 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Pribilof/Aleutian Zone1ADF&G 2026-2027 regulations: "PRIBILOF/ALEUTIAN Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)". | Oct 8 – Nov 27 Pribilof/Aleutian Brant | 2 | 6 |
1Unit 10 except Unimak Island.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Interior Alaska - GMU 11-13, 17-26 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 6 White Geese (snow and Ross's): 6/day, 18 in possession. | 18 |
| Southeast Zone3,4Southeast Alaska - GMU 1-5 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 6 Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31. | 18 |
| Pribilof/Aleutian ZoneADF&G 2026-2027 regulations: "PRIBILOF/ALEUTIAN Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)". | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 6 | 18 |
| Kodiak Zone5Kodiak Island - GMU 8 | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 6 White Geese: 6/day, 18 in possession. | 18 |
| Gulf Coast Zone1,6Gulf Coast - GMU 6-10, 14-16 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 6 White Geese (snow and Ross's): 6/day, 18 in possession. | 18 |
1White Geese (snow and Ross's): 6/day, 18 in possession.
2Units 11-13, 17-26.
3Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31.
4White Geese (snow and Ross') concurrent with main duck season.
5White Geese: 6/day, 18 in possession.
6Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Crane Zone1,2Units 11-13, 17-26 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 3 In Unit 17, bag limits are 2 per day, 6 in possession. | 9 |
| Southeast Crane Zone (Units 1-4)3,4,5Game Management Units 1-4 | Sep 1 – Nov 30 | 2 Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31. | 6 |
| Dec 16 – Dec 31 Second split | 2 AK hunting license + HIP; nontoxic shot required | 6 | |
| Pribilof/Aleutian Crane Zone6Unit 10 except Unimak Island | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 2 | 6 |
| Gulf Coast Crane Zone7Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 2 | 6 |
| Kodiak Crane Zone (Unit 8)8Game Management Unit 8 | Oct 8 – Jan 22 | 2 | 6 |
1In Unit 17, bag limits are 2 per day, 6 in possession.
2Units 11-13, 17-26. Unit 17 has reduced limit.
3Season also open Dec. 16-Dec. 31.
4Concurrent with duck season in Southeast Units 1-4.
5AK hunting license + HIP; nontoxic shot required
6Concurrent with duck season in Pribilof/Aleutian Zone (Unit 10 except Unimak Is.).
7Concurrent with duck season in Gulf Coast Zone (Units 5-7, 9, 10 Unimak only, 14-16).
8Concurrent with duck season in Kodiak Zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swan Unit 17 (permit RT417)1,2GMU 17 registration permit swan hunt | Sep 1 – Oct 31 | – 3 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT417 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed. | – |
| Swan Unit 18 (permit RT518)2,3GMU 18 registration permit swan hunt | Sep 1 – Oct 31 | – 3 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT518 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed. | – |
| Swan Unit 23 (permit RT523)2,4GMU 23 registration permit swan hunt | Sep 1 – Oct 31 | – 3 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT523 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed. | – |
| Swan Unit 22 (permit RT522)2,5GMU 22 registration permit swan hunt | Sep 1 – Oct 31 | – 3 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT522 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed. | – |
13 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT417 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed.
2Permit available at hunt.alaska.gov or ADF&G offices beginning July 2.
33 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT518 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed.
43 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT523 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed.
53 swans per permit; 1 permit per hunter; registration permit RT522 required. 3 swans per permit for the season; 1 permit per hunter. Trumpeter swans closed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Zone1,2Southeast Alaska - GMU 1-5 | Sep 1 – Sep 2 | 7 Hunters 17 years of age or younger only; must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has successfully completed Basic Hunter Education. Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge only. | 21 |
1Hunters 17 years of age or younger only; must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years old or older who has successfully completed Basic Hunter Education. Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge only.
2First two days of season at Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge (GMU 1) are youth-only. Both youth and accompanying adult must register at hunt.alaska.gov or ADF&G in Douglas.
Official regulations
Alaska Department of Fish and GameThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
Alaska Department of Fish and GameThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the upland bird hunting appSeason dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & 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.