Read from Parks and Wildlife on August 13, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Parks and Wildlife before you hunt.
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Colorado 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 February 14, 2027, with 61 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Parks and Wildlife 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2East of I-25 and north of I-70 | Oct 17 – Nov 29 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. | 18 |
| Dec 11 – Jan 31 Second season | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. | 18 | |
| Southeast Zone1,3East of I-25 and south of I-70 | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern4,5Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Oct 3 – Jan 15 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. No scaup after December 27, 2026. | 21 |
| Pacific Flyway Western6,7Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 20 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. No scaup after January 12, 2027. | 21 |
| Nov 6 – Jan 31 Second season | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. No scaup after January 12, 2027. | 21 | |
| Mountain/Foothills Zone1,8Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Oct 3 – Nov 29 First season | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. | 18 |
| Dec 25 – Jan 31 Second season | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard Pacific Flyway Eastern · Oct 3–Jan 15 · no more than 2 female | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway Western · Oct 3–Oct 20 · no more than 2 female | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway Western · Nov 6–Jan 31 · no more than 2 female | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Northeast Zone · Oct 17–Nov 29 · no more than 2 can be female | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Southeast Zone · Oct 28–Jan 31 · no more than 2 can be female | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Mountain/Foothills Zone · Oct 3–Nov 29 · no more than 2 can be female | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Mountain/Foothills Zone · Dec 25–Jan 31 · no more than 2 can be female | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Northeast Zone · Dec 11–Jan 31 · no more than 2 can be female | 5 | 15 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway Western · Oct 3–Oct 20 · No scaup after January 12, 2027 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway Western · Nov 6–Jan 31 · No scaup after January 12, 2027 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Northeast Zone · Oct 17–Nov 29 · scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Southeast Zone · Oct 28–Jan 31 · scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Mountain/Foothills Zone · Oct 3–Nov 29 · scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Mountain/Foothills Zone · Dec 25–Jan 31 · scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Northeast Zone · Dec 11–Jan 31 · scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway Eastern · No scaup after December 27, 2026 | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
1Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup.
2Central Flyway Northeast Zone – All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of Interstate 70.
3Central Flyway Southeast Zone – All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties. No split season.
4Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. No scaup after December 27, 2026.
5Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone – All of Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties, etc. No split – single continuous season.
6Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. No scaup after January 12, 2027.
7Pacific Flyway Western Zone – All areas west of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone.
8Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone – All areas west of Interstate 25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1East of I-25 and north of I-70 | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | 6 | 18 |
| Southeast ZoneEast of I-25 and south of I-70 | Sep 12 – Sep 20 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 | 18 |
| Mountain/Foothills ZoneCentral Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Sep 12 – Sep 20 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 | 18 |
1#514 September Teal – Lake and Chaffee counties and all areas east of I-25. Zone labeled as Northeast Zone per alignment with duck zone geography (all areas east of I-25 includes Northeast and Southeast duck zones).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast ZoneEast of I-25 and north of I-70 | Nov 2 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| North Park Season1CPW 2026: "North Park Season / Area: Jackson Co." | Oct 3 – Jan 15 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| Balance of Central Flyway2 | Nov 2 – Feb 14 | 5 | 15 |
| Southeast ZoneEast of I-25 and south of I-70 | Nov 2 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| South Park Season1CPW 2026: "South Park Season / Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties." | Oct 3 – Jan 15 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern3Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Oct 3 – Jan 6 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| Pacific Flyway Western4,5Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Sep 1 – Sep 9 Early Canada Goose | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First season | 5 | 15 | |
| Nov 6 – Jan 31 Second season | 5 | 15 | |
| Mountain/Foothills ZoneCentral Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Nov 2 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| San Luis Valley6San Luis Valley goose zone | Oct 3 – Oct 21 First Season | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 21 – Feb 14 Second Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
1North Park – Jackson County. #512A dark goose.
2Balance of Central Flyway – All areas east of the Continental Divide, except North Park, South Park and San Luis Valley.
3Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone – All of Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties, etc.
4#515 Early Canada Goose – Pacific Flyway, all areas west of the Continental Divide. Dates stated as September 1–9 annually.
5Pacific Flyway Western Zone – All areas west of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone.
6San Luis Valley – All of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande counties, and those portions of Archuleta, San Juan, Saguache, Mineral, and Hinsdale counties east of the Continental Divide.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Park Season1,2CPW 2026: "North Park Season / Area: Jackson Co." | Oct 31 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 50 Possession limit: Unlimited. | – |
| Northeast ZoneEast of I-25 and north of I-70 | Oct 31 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 50 | 150 |
| Balance of Central Flyway1,3 | Oct 31 – Feb 14 | 50 Possession limit: Unlimited. | – |
| Southeast ZoneEast of I-25 and south of I-70 | Oct 31 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 50 | 150 |
| South Park Season1,2CPW 2026: "South Park Season / Area: Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties." | Oct 31 – Feb 14 | 50 Possession limit: Unlimited. | – |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern4Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Oct 3 – Jan 6 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 10 | 30 |
| Pacific Flyway Western5,6Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 10 | 30 |
| Nov 6 – Jan 31 Second season | 10 | 30 | |
| San Luis Valley1,7San Luis Valley goose zone | Oct 31 – Feb 14 | 50 Possession limit: Unlimited. | – |
| Mountain/Foothills ZoneCentral Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Oct 31 – Feb 14 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 50 | 150 |
1Possession limit: Unlimited.
2North Park – Jackson County. #512A light goose.
3#512D Balance of Central Flyway light goose.
4Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone – light goose. Dates concurrent with dark goose season.
5Pacific Flyway Western Zone – light goose first season. Dates concurrent with dark goose first season.
6Pacific Flyway Western Zone – light goose second season. Dates concurrent with dark goose second season.
7#512C San Luis Valley light goose.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East of I-25 (Light Goose Conservation Order)1,2CPW 2026 brochure: "Light Goose Conservation Order Season / Area: East of I-25." | Feb 15 – Apr 30 | – Unlimited daily bag and possession. Electronic calls permitted. No federal duck stamp required. Shotguns capable of holding more than 3 rounds allowed. | – |
1Unlimited daily bag and possession. Electronic calls permitted. No federal duck stamp required. Shotguns capable of holding more than 3 rounds allowed.
2#516 Light Goose Conservation Order – Central Flyway, all areas east of I-25.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2East of I-25 and north of I-70 | Oct 17 – Nov 29 First season | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 11 – Jan 31 Second season | 15 | 45 | |
| Southeast Zone3East of I-25 and south of I-70 | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 15 | 45 |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern4Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Oct 3 – Jan 15 First season | 25 | 75 |
| Pacific Flyway Western5,6Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 20 First season | 25 | 75 |
| Nov 6 – Jan 31 Second season | 25 | 75 | |
| Mountain/Foothills Zone7,8Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Oct 3 – Nov 29 First season | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 25 – Jan 31 Second season | 15 | 45 |
1Coots listed under #511A concurrent with duck season first split.
2Coots listed under #511A concurrent with duck season second split.
3Coots listed under #511B concurrent with duck season.
4Coots listed under #511E concurrent with duck season.
5Coots listed under #511D concurrent with duck season first split.
6Coots listed under #511D concurrent with duck season second split.
7Coots listed under #511C concurrent with duck season first split.
8Coots listed under #511C concurrent with duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1East of I-25 and north of I-70 | Oct 17 – Nov 29 First season | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 11 – Jan 31 Second season | 6 | 18 | |
| Southeast Zone2East of I-25 and south of I-70 | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 6 | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern3Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Oct 3 – Jan 15 First season | 7 | 21 |
| Pacific Flyway Western4Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 20 First season | 7 | 21 |
| Nov 6 – Jan 31 Second season | 7 | 21 | |
| Mountain/Foothills Zone5Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Oct 3 – Nov 29 First season | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 25 – Jan 31 Second season | 6 | 18 |
1Mergansers counted within the 6-duck aggregate under #511A. No separate sub-limit stated for mergansers.
2Mergansers counted within the 6-duck aggregate under #511B.
3Mergansers counted within the 7-duck aggregate under #511E.
4Mergansers counted within the 7-duck aggregate under #511D.
5Mergansers counted within the 6-duck aggregate under #511C.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East of Continental Divide except North Park and San Luis Valley (Crane)1,2Open east of the Continental Divide except North Park (Jackson County) and the San Luis Valley | Oct 3 – Nov 29 | 3 All areas east of the Continental Divide except North Park (Jackson County) and the San Luis Valley. Permit required. | 9 |
1All areas east of the Continental Divide except North Park (Jackson County) and the San Luis Valley. Permit required.
2Zone per #506: east of Continental Divide excluding North Park and San Luis Valley.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2East of I-25 and north of I-70 | Oct 10 – Oct 11 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+. | 18 |
| Southeast Zone1,3East of I-25 and south of I-70 | Oct 17 – Oct 18 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+. | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern4,5Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Light Goose: 10. Coots: 25. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+. | 21 |
| Pacific Flyway Western4,6Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 24 – Oct 25 | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Light Goose: 10. Coots: 25. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+. | 21 |
| Mountain/Foothills Zone1,7Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Sep 26 – Sep 27 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+. | 18 |
1Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+.
2#513A Central Flyway Northeast Zone Youth/Veteran dates Oct 10–11, 2026.
3#513B Central Flyway Southeast Zone Youth/Veteran dates Oct 17–18, 2026.
4Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Light Goose: 10. Coots: 25. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by non-hunting mentor 18+.
5#513E Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone Youth/Veteran dates Sep 26–27, 2026.
6#513D Pacific Flyway Western Zone Youth/Veteran dates Oct 24–25, 2026.
7#513C Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone Youth/Veteran dates Sep 26–27, 2026.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2East of I-25 and north of I-70 | Oct 10 – Oct 11 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Veterans and active military personnel only. | 18 |
| Southeast Zone1,3East of I-25 and south of I-70 | Oct 17 – Oct 18 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Veterans and active military personnel only. | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway Eastern4,5Colorado Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Light Goose: 10. Coots: 25. Veterans and active military personnel only. | 21 |
| Pacific Flyway Western4,6Colorado Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 24 – Oct 25 | 7 Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Light Goose: 10. Coots: 25. Veterans and active military personnel only. | 21 |
| Mountain/Foothills Zone1,7Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills area | Sep 26 – Sep 27 | 6 Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Veterans and active military personnel only. | 18 |
1Ducks and Mergansers: 6 aggregate; ≤5 mallards (≤2 hens), ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤3 wood ducks, ≤1 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Coots: 15. Veterans and active military personnel only.
2#513A Central Flyway Northeast Zone Youth/Veteran dates Oct 10–11, 2026.
3#513B Central Flyway Southeast Zone Youth/Veteran dates Oct 17–18, 2026.
4Ducks and Mergansers: 7 aggregate; ≤2 female mallards, ≤3 pintails, ≤2 canvasback, ≤2 redheads, ≤2 scaup. Dark Goose: 5. Light Goose: 10. Coots: 25. Veterans and active military personnel only.
5#513E Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone Youth/Veteran dates Sep 26–27, 2026.
6#513D Pacific Flyway Western Zone Youth/Veteran dates Oct 24–25, 2026.
7#513C Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone Youth/Veteran dates Sep 26–27, 2026.
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 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 13, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.