Read from Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on August 21, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection before you hunt.
Open the official Connecticut regulationsHunting Connecticut this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Connecticut is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 10, 2027, with 41 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 Zone1,2,3,4,5,6 | Oct 10 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (see scaup table); Harlequin Duck: closed. All merganser species included in aggregate duck bag of 6, no species-specific merganser limit. Sea ducks included in total duck bag, daily limit 4 (no more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession). | 18 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 11 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 1 | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1; Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession). | 18 | |
| Nov 14 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late (continued) | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (Nov. 14–Jan. 9); Sea ducks included in total bag (daily limit 4, no more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession); Harlequin Duck season closed; Mergansers included in aggregate bag of 6 | 18 | |
| Nov 14 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 2 | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (Nov. 14 - Jan. 9); Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession). | 18 | |
| South Zone2,3,7,8,9,10,11 | Oct 10 – Oct 12 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1; Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession). | 18 |
| Nov 11 – Nov 11 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 1 | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1; Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession). | 18 | |
| Nov 14 – Jan 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 2 | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (Nov. 14 - Dec. 25), 2 (Dec. 26 - Jan. 19); Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession). | 18 | |
| Nov 14 – Jan 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late (continued) | 6 Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: see scaup table (1 bag Nov. 14–Dec. 25; 2 bag Dec. 26–Jan. 19); Sea ducks included in total bag (daily limit 4, no more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession); Harlequin Duck season closed; Mergansers included in aggregate bag of 6 | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · Oct 10–Oct 12 · See scaup table | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Nov 7–Nov 11 · See scaup table | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Oct 10–Oct 17 · See scaup table | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · 1 bag Nov. 14–Dec. 25; increases to 2 bag Dec. 26–Jan. 19 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Nov. 14 - Jan. 9 | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone · Oct 10–Oct 12 · See scaup table | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup North Zone · Nov 7–Nov 11 · See scaup table | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup North Zone · Oct 10–Oct 17 · See scaup table | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone · 1 bag Nov. 14–Dec. 25; increases to 2 bag Dec. 26–Jan. 19 | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup North Zone · Nov. 14 - Jan. 9 | 1 | 3 |
| Sea Ducks (general) No more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider (1 hen) | 4 | 12 |
| Harlequin Duck Season closed | 0 | 0 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup North Zone · Combined Greater/Lesser Scaup limit for Nov. 14–Jan. 9 | 1 | 3 |
1Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (see scaup table); Harlequin Duck: closed. All merganser species included in aggregate duck bag of 6, no species-specific merganser limit. Sea ducks included in total duck bag, daily limit 4 (no more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession).
2All dates inclusive except Sundays.
3Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1; Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession).
4Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (Nov. 14–Jan. 9); Sea ducks included in total bag (daily limit 4, no more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession); Harlequin Duck season closed; Mergansers included in aggregate bag of 6
5All dates inclusive except Sundays. Second part of the late duck season in the North Zone.
6Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (Nov. 14 - Jan. 9); Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession).
7Single-day segment. All dates inclusive except Sundays.
8Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: 1 (Nov. 14 - Dec. 25), 2 (Dec. 26 - Jan. 19); Harlequin Duck: closed. Mergansers included in aggregate. Sea ducks: 4 daily (3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession).
9All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup limit increases to 2/day from Dec. 26.
10Mallard: 4 daily (2 hens max); Wood Duck: 3; Black Duck: 2; Redhead: 2; Pintail: 3; Canvasback: 2; Scaup: see scaup table (1 bag Nov. 14–Dec. 25; 2 bag Dec. 26–Jan. 19); Sea ducks included in total bag (daily limit 4, no more than 3 Scoters, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Eider [1 hen], 12 in possession); Harlequin Duck season closed; Mergansers included in aggregate bag of 6
11All dates inclusive except Sundays. Scaup limit increases from 1 to 2 on Dec. 26.
Hunting Connecticut’s season? Get the free app.
Drop your email and we’ll send the free BlindBook app — log hunts, ID birds, track your bag limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only September Early Season | 15 Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. Unplugged shotguns legal. | 45 |
| Oct 10 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular AP Unit Season First Split | 3 AP Unit only: Litchfield County and portion of Hartford County west of Route 159/I-91 line. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 9 | |
| Oct 10 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only AFRP Unit First Split | 5 AFRP Unit: All of the state not included in AP or NAP descriptions. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 15 | |
| Oct 10 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only NAP-H Unit First Split | 2 NAP-H Unit: eastern portion of state. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 6 | |
| Nov 10 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only NAP-H Unit Second Split | 2 NAP-H Unit. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 6 | |
| Nov 21 – Dec 14 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular AP Unit Season Second Split | 3 AP Unit only: Litchfield County and portion of Hartford County west of Route 159/I-91 line. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 9 | |
| Nov 21 – Feb 13 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only AFRP Unit Second Split | 5 AFRP Unit. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 15 | |
| Dec 15 – Feb 13 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only AP Late Season | 5 AP Unit only. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 15 | |
| South Zone1,10,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 | Sep 15 – Sep 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only September Early Season | 15 Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. Unplugged shotguns legal. | 45 |
| Oct 10 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only AFRP Unit First Split | 5 AFRP Unit. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 15 | |
| Oct 10 – Oct 12 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only NAP-H Unit First Split | 2 NAP-H Unit South Zone. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 6 | |
| Nov 9 – Jan 14 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only NAP-H Unit - Second Split | 2 NAP-H Unit (eastern portion of state, South Zone). Includes white-fronted geese in bag. | 6 | |
| Nov 21 – Feb 13 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only AFRP Unit Second Split | 5 AFRP Unit. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese. | 15 | |
| Jan 15 – Feb 13 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only NAP-H Late Season | 5 South Zone only, east of the Quinnipiac River. Includes white-fronted geese in bag. 2027 hunting license and CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required. | 15 |
1Daily bag limit includes white-fronted geese. Unplugged shotguns legal.
2North Zone September early Canada goose season. No special permit required. Applies to AP Zone portion of North Zone.
3AP Unit only: Litchfield County and portion of Hartford County west of Route 159/I-91 line. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
4AP Unit regular season first split. Bag limit of 3 is bolded (changed from 2025-26, increased from 1). Zone is AP Unit within North Zone.
5AP Unit regular season second split.
6AP Unit only. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
7AP Late Season applies to AP Unit (North Zone portion).
8AFRP Unit: All of the state not included in AP or NAP descriptions. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
9AFRP Unit season first split.
10AFRP Unit. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
11AFRP Unit season second split.
12NAP-H Unit: eastern portion of state. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
13NAP-H Unit first split in North Zone.
14NAP-H Unit. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
15NAP-H Unit second split in North Zone.
16South Zone September early Canada goose season. No special permit required.
17AFRP Unit first split in South Zone.
18AFRP Unit second split in South Zone.
19NAP-H Unit South Zone. Daily bag includes white-fronted geese.
20NAP-H Unit first split in South Zone (bolded dates).
21NAP-H Unit (eastern portion of state, South Zone). Includes white-fronted geese in bag.
22South Zone NAP-H second split; all dates inclusive except Sundays.
23South Zone only, east of the Quinnipiac River. Includes white-fronted geese in bag. 2027 hunting license and CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required.
24NAP-H Late Season in South Zone (east of Quinnipiac River) only; 2027 license required before Jan. 1, 2027.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Dec 7 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only | 1 | 3 |
| South Zone1 | Dec 16 – Jan 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only | 1 | 3 |
1Dates inclusive except Sundays.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 1 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season | 25 Includes Blue Geese. No possession limit. | – |
| Feb 16 – Mar 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Season | 25 Includes Blue Geese. No possession limit. | – | |
| South Zone1,2 | Oct 1 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season | 25 Includes Blue Geese. No possession limit. | – |
| Feb 16 – Mar 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Season | 25 Includes Blue Geese. No possession limit. | – |
1Includes Blue Geese. No possession limit.
2All dates inclusive except Sundays.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 10 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 11 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 1 | 15 | 45 | |
| Nov 14 – Jan 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 2 | 15 | 45 | |
| South Zone2,3,4 | Oct 10 – Oct 12 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 11 – Nov 11 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 1 | 15 | 45 | |
| Nov 14 – Jan 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Late Split 2 | 15 | 45 |
1Coots run concurrent with duck season dates. Possession limit inferred as 3x daily bag.
2Concurrent with duck season.
3Coots concurrent with South Zone duck early season.
4Concurrent with duck season, single day.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Oct 3 – Oct 3 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Youth Waterfowl Day 1 | 6 Junior hunters ages 12–15 must have junior small game license and CT Migratory Bird Stamp; ages 16–17 need full hunting license, CT Stamp, and federal Stamp. Ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots may be hunted. Adults may NOT hunt ducks on Youth Days. | 18 |
| Oct 31 – Oct 31 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Youth Waterfowl Day 2 | 6 Junior hunters ages 12–15 must have junior small game license and CT Migratory Bird Stamp; ages 16–17 need full hunting license, CT Stamp, and federal Stamp. Ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots may be hunted. Adults may NOT hunt ducks on Youth Days. | 18 |
1Junior hunters ages 12–15 must have junior small game license and CT Migratory Bird Stamp; ages 16–17 need full hunting license, CT Stamp, and federal Stamp. Ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots may be hunted. Adults may NOT hunt ducks on Youth Days.
2First of 2 statewide youth waterfowl hunter training days. Bag limits same as regular duck/goose season.
3Second of 2 statewide youth waterfowl hunter training days. Bag limits same as regular duck/goose season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Oct 10 – Jan 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only | 3 Allowable species: ducks, coots, mergansers, sea ducks, woodcock, snipe, rails. Species-specific bag limits do not apply. Daily bag limit 3 migratory game birds in aggregate, 6 in possession. Falconry bag limit not in addition to gun limits. | 6 |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Allowable species: ducks, coots, mergansers, sea ducks, woodcock, snipe, rails. Species-specific bag limits do not apply. Daily bag limit 3 migratory game birds in aggregate, 6 in possession. Falconry bag limit not in addition to gun limits.
2Falconers must have state and federal falconry permits, CT small game license, CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, and federal Duck Stamp. Dates inherited from the overall duck/waterfowl season window as the source says 'during any established migratory game bird season'.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Sep 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Common Snipe Season — first split | 8 CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required; federal Duck Stamp not required for snipe | 24 |
| Sep 1 – Oct 15 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Rail Season — first split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | – Virginia/sora rails 25 daily, 75 possession; clapper/king rails 10 daily, 30 possession (max 1 king daily); non-toxic shot required | – | |
| Oct 17 – Jan 8 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Common Snipe Season — second split | 8 CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required; federal Duck Stamp not required for snipe | 24 | |
| Oct 23 – Nov 27 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Rail Season — second split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | – Virginia/sora rails 25 daily, 75 possession; clapper/king rails 10 daily, 30 possession (max 1 king daily); non-toxic shot required | – |
1CT Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp required; federal Duck Stamp not required for snipe
2Statewide snipe season, two splits.
3Virginia/sora rails 25 daily, 75 possession; clapper/king rails 10 daily, 30 possession (max 1 king daily); non-toxic shot required
4Statewide rail season, two splits; limits are per species group so top-level bag is null.
Spring 2027 turkey season
Not announced yet. Most states set spring dates over the winter.
Checked October 16, 2026.
Log your turkey hunts free in BlindBook.
Pin spots on the map, log every hunt and see your season add up.
See the turkey hunting appOfficial regulations
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)The state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your deer hunts free in BlindBook.
Pin spots on the map, log every hunt and see your season add up.
See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
CT DEEP Wildlife DivisionThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your upland bird hunts free in BlindBook.
Pin spots on the map, log every hunt and see your season add up.
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 21, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.