Canada Goose Season 2026–27
In the states we checked for 2026–27, Canada goose seasons run from September into February. Season dates, bag limits, and the difference between resident and migratory geese.
September seasons in most states checked
2–5 geese/day regular season
Separate from duck limits
Resident vs. Migratory — Two Different Seasons
Resident Canada geese live year-round across much of the US. September seasons are generally timed to target these birds before migrants arrive. Migratory Canada geesebreed in Canada and the far north and arrive during the regular season. Some states set separate zones for different goose populations — Virginia and North Carolina, for example, have different dates and limits in their Atlantic Population and Resident Population zones. Always check your state's regulations for the zone you hunt.
2026–27 Canada Goose Season by State
The 13 states we checked against published 2026–27 regulations. Each row shows one named zone; "split" means the regular season has breaks between the first opening and the final close. Other zones have different dates and limits — always verify with your state wildlife agency.
| State | Regular Season Opens | Regular Season Closes | Daily Bag | September Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Sep 26, 2026 (North Zone) | Dec 25, 2026 | 5 (incl. white-fronted & brant) | Sep 5–20 (5/day) |
| Wisconsin | Sep 16, 2026 (Northern Goose Zone) | Dec 16, 2026 | 3/day | Sep 1–15 (5/day) |
| Iowa | Sep 26, 2026 (North Zone, split) | Jan 9, 2027 | 5 dark geese (2–3 Canada) | Sep 12–20, metro zones only (5/day) |
| Missouri | Oct 3, 2026 (statewide, split) | Feb 6, 2027 | 3 (incl. brant) | None (Oct 3–11 early segment) |
| Illinois | Oct 24, 2026 (North Zone, split) | Jan 26, 2027 | 3/day | Sep 1–15 (5/day, North & Central) |
| Indiana | Oct 24, 2026 (North Zone, split) | Feb 14, 2027 | 5 (incl. brant) | Not confirmed |
| Ohio | Oct 17, 2026 (Goose Zone A, split) | Feb 1, 2027 | 5 dark geese (max 1 brant) | Sep 5–13 (5/day) |
| Kentucky | Nov 26, 2026 (statewide) | Feb 15, 2027 | 5 dark geese (max 3 Canada) | Sep 1–15 West / Sep 16–30 East (5/day) |
| Tennessee | Oct 10, 2026 (statewide, split) | Feb 14, 2027 | 3/day | Sep 1–20 (5/day) |
| Arkansas | Nov 21, 2026 (statewide, split) | Jan 31, 2027 | 2/day | Sep 1–Oct 15 (5/day) |
| Texas | Nov 7, 2026 (Eastern Zone) | Jan 31, 2027 | 5 dark geese (max 2 white-fronted) | Sep 12–27, Eastern Zone (5/day) |
| North Carolina | Oct 15, 2026 (Resident Pop. Zone, split) | Feb 6, 2027 | 5 (incl. white-fronted) | Sep 1–30 (15/day) |
| Virginia | Nov 18, 2026 (Resident Pop. Zone, split) | Feb 21, 2027 | 5/day | Sep 1–25 (10/day) |
Daily Bag is for the regular season in the zone shown. Some states set a dark goose aggregate (Canada, cackling, white-fronted geese and brant) instead of a Canada-only limit. Goose limits are separate from duck bag limits. "Not confirmed" means we could not verify that state's September season from an agency document.
Canada Goose Hunting — Frequently Asked Questions
Track your Canada goose season with BlindBook
Log every honker, track daily bag limits by zone, and record your season totals.
Season dates and limits on this page were checked 2026-10-16 against 2026–27 regulations published by state wildlife agencies: Minnesota DNR Waterfowl Hunting; Wisconsin DNR Migratory Game Birds Season Dates and Bag Limits; 2026-27 Iowa Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations and 2026-27 Iowa Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons & Limits; Missouri Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026–2027 (p. 15); 2026–2027 Illinois Digest insert card; Indiana DNR 2026-27 Hunting & Trapping Seasons; ODNR Ohio's 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Season Dates; KDFWR Regulations Summary, Sept. 2026–Mar. 2027; TWRA Migratory Birds; AGFC Waterfowl Season Dates, Rules & Regulations; TPWD Outdoor Annual, Goose 2026-2027; NCWRC 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Proclamation; and Virginia DWR 2026–2027 Migratory Game Bird Seasons. Always confirm with official state agency regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.