Hunting Idaho this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Idaho is part of the Pacific Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 27 through December 1, 2026, with 31 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish and Game within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 1 | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Regular Season | 7 | 21 |
| Area 2 | Oct 4 – Jan 16 Regular Season | 7 | 21 |
| Area 3 | Oct 4 – Jan 16 Regular Season | 7 | 21 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Hooded Merganser | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard Max 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Lesser Scaup | 2 | 6 |
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 1 | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Area 2 | Oct 4 – Jan 16 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Area 3 | Nov 3 – Feb 15 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 31 | Oct 19 – Dec 24 Early Segment | 20 | 60 |
| Feb 1 – Mar 10 Late Segment | |||
| Area 12 | Oct 4 – Jan 16 Regular Season | 20 | 60 |
| Area 22 | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Regular Season | 20 | 60 |
1Split season. Corrected area assignment. Source: ID eRegulations.
2Corrected area assignment. Source: ID eRegulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 31 | Oct 4 – Jan 16 Regular Season | 25 | 75 |
| Area 21 | Oct 4 – Jan 16 Regular Season | 25 | 75 |
| Area 11 | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Regular Season | 25 | 75 |
1Concurrent with duck season. Source: ID eRegulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Area 4 - Jefferson1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early September hunt (30 tags) | 2 | 2 |
| Sep 16 – Sep 30 Late September hunt (30 tags) | |||
| Oct 1 – Oct 30 October hunt (30 tags) | |||
| Crane Area 5 - Swan Lake2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 September hunt (50 tags) | 2 | 2 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 30 October hunt (20 tags) | |||
| Crane Area 3 - Fremont2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early September hunt (40 tags) | 2 | 2 |
| Sep 16 – Sep 30 Late September hunt (40 tags) | |||
| Oct 1 – Oct 30 October hunt (30 tags) | |||
| Crane Area 1 - Bear Lake2,4,5 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 September hunt (300 tags) | 2 | 2 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 30 October hunt (150 tags) | |||
| Crane Area 2 - Teton2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 September hunt (40 tags) | 2 | 2 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 30 October hunt (40 tags) | |||
| Crane Area 6 - Malad2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 September hunt (50 tags) | 2 | 2 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 30 October hunt (20 tags) |
1Crane tag required, first-come first-served; season limit 2; portion of Mud Lake WMA excluded
2Crane tag required, first-come first-served; season limit 2
3Crane tag required, first-come first-served; season limit 2; Chester Wetlands WMA excluded
4Crane tag required, first-come first-served from Aug 3; season limit 2; shot size T max
52026-27 booklet published. All 870 tags first-come first-served from Aug 3, 2026 (no longer a draw). Daily bag 2 AND season limit 2 statewide; 1 crane per tag; shot size T max. All hunts in eastern Idaho.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swan Controlled Hunt Area 1 (Panhandle)1,2 | Oct 10 – Dec 1 | 1 | 1 |
1Swan Controlled Hunt Tag by draw (Hunt 9301, 50 tags); plus HIP permit and Federal Duck Stamp; nontoxic shot, size T max, 3-shell limit; carcass check within 3 days
2From the official 2026-27 IDFG booklet (pp. 11-12). Controlled hunt No. 9301, 50 tags (max 10% nonresident), apply May 1-Jun 5 or Aug 5-25; mandatory carcass check with IDFG within 3 days of kill; both tundra and trumpeter occur in the hunt area.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area 11 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth/Vet/Mil Hunt | 7 | 21 |
| Area 21 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth/Vet/Mil Hunt | 7 | 21 |
| Area 31 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth/Vet/Mil Hunt | 7 | 21 |
1Youth, veteran, and military hunt weekend. Source: ID Fish & Game.
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 July 3, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.