Read from Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on August 20, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before you hunt.
Open the official Maine regulationsHunting Maine this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Maine 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 January 30, 2027, with 38 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Inland Fisheries 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 28 – Dec 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Duck Season | 6 Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Moorhens and Gallinules: Closed. Mergansers and American Coots have additional separate limits. See Daily Bag Limit Exceptions for species-specific sub-limits. | 18 |
| South Zone1,2 | Oct 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 6 Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Moorhens and Gallinules: Closed. Mergansers and American Coots have additional separate limits. See Daily Bag Limit Exceptions for species-specific sub-limits. | 18 |
| Oct 29 – Dec 26 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 6 Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Moorhens and Gallinules: Closed. Mergansers and American Coots have additional separate limits. See Daily Bag Limit Exceptions for species-specific sub-limits. | 18 | |
| Coastal Zone1,2 | Oct 3 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 6 Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Moorhens and Gallinules: Closed. Mergansers and American Coots have additional separate limits. See Daily Bag Limit Exceptions for species-specific sub-limits. | 18 |
| Nov 5 – Jan 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 6 Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Moorhens and Gallinules: Closed. Mergansers and American Coots have additional separate limits. See Daily Bag Limit Exceptions for species-specific sub-limits. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hen mallards (possession: 6 hen mallards) | 4 | 12 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Lesser Scaup Scaup limit 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Scaup limit 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Scoter (Black) 3 by species, 4 total sea ducks; possession 9 by species, 12 total sea ducks | 3 | 9 |
| Scoter (Surf) 3 by species, 4 total sea ducks; possession 9 by species, 12 total sea ducks | 3 | 9 |
| Scoter (White-winged) 3 by species, 4 total sea ducks; possession 9 by species, 12 total sea ducks | 3 | 9 |
| Long-tailed Duck 3 by species, 4 total sea ducks; possession 9 by species, 12 total sea ducks | 3 | 9 |
1Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Moorhens and Gallinules: Closed. Mergansers and American Coots have additional separate limits. See Daily Bag Limit Exceptions for species-specific sub-limits.
2Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early Canada Goose | 8 | 24 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 9 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season | 2 Canada Goose and White-Fronted Geese combined | 6 | |
| South Zone1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early Canada Goose | 10 | 30 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season - First Split | 2 Canada Goose and White-Fronted Geese combined | 6 | |
| Oct 29 – Dec 26 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season - Second Split | 2 Canada Goose and White-Fronted Geese combined | 6 | |
| Coastal Zone1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 25 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Early Canada Goose | 10 | 30 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season - First Split | 3 Canada Goose and White-Fronted Geese combined | 9 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Regular Season - Second Split | 3 Canada Goose and White-Fronted Geese combined | 9 |
1Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine
2Canada Goose and White-Fronted Geese combined
3Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine. Includes White-Fronted Geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 28 – Oct 31 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only | 1 | 3 |
| South Zone1 | Oct 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 29 – Nov 21 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 1 | 3 | |
| Coastal Zone1,2 | Oct 3 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 10 – Jan 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 1 | 3 |
1Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine.
2Source says 'January 5, 2026' which appears to be a typo; interpreted as January 5, 2027 consistent with the season. Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Oct 1 – Jan 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only | 25 Including Blue Geese | – |
1Including Blue Geese
2Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine. No possession limit listed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 28 – Dec 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Coot Season | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may harvest 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time. | 15 |
| South Zone1,3,4 | Oct 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may harvest 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time. | 15 |
| Oct 29 – Dec 26 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may harvest 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time. | 15 | |
| Coastal Zone1,5,6 | Oct 3 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may harvest 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time. | 15 |
| Nov 5 – Jan 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may harvest 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time. | 15 |
1In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit, hunters may harvest 5 coots. It is unlawful to possess more than 15 coots at any time.
2Concurrent with duck season, North Zone. Moorhens/Gallinules are closed. Sunday hunting is illegal.
3Concurrent with duck season, South Zone first split. Moorhens/Gallinules are closed. Sunday hunting is illegal.
4Concurrent with duck season, South Zone second split. Moorhens/Gallinules are closed. Sunday hunting is illegal.
5Concurrent with duck season, Coastal Zone first split. Moorhens/Gallinules are closed. Sunday hunting is illegal.
6Concurrent with duck season, Coastal Zone second split. Moorhens/Gallinules are closed. Sunday hunting is illegal.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 28 – Dec 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit. 5 mergansers in the aggregate, species-specific limit of 5. Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers. | 15 |
| South Zone1,3,4 | Oct 1 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit. 5 mergansers in the aggregate, species-specific limit of 5. Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers. | 15 |
| Oct 29 – Dec 26 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit. 5 mergansers in the aggregate, species-specific limit of 5. Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers. | 15 | |
| Coastal Zone1,5,6 | Oct 3 – Oct 10 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only First Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit. 5 mergansers in the aggregate, species-specific limit of 5. Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers. | 15 |
| Nov 5 – Jan 5 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Second Split | 5 In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit. 5 mergansers in the aggregate, species-specific limit of 5. Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers. | 15 |
1In addition to the 6 duck daily bag limit. 5 mergansers in the aggregate, species-specific limit of 5. Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers.
2Concurrent with duck season, North Zone. Sunday hunting is illegal.
3Concurrent with duck season, South Zone first split. Sunday hunting is illegal.
4Concurrent with duck season, South Zone second split. Sunday hunting is illegal.
5Concurrent with duck season, Coastal Zone first split. Sunday hunting is illegal.
6Concurrent with duck season, Coastal Zone second split. Sunday hunting is illegal.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts | – Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply. | – |
| Dec 12 – Dec 12 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts — Day 2 | – Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply. | – | |
| South Zone1,3 | Sep 19 – Sep 19 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts | – Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply. | – |
| Oct 17 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts — Day 2 | – Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply. | – | |
| Coastal Zone1,4 | Sep 26 – Sep 26 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts | – Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply. | – |
| Oct 17 – Oct 17 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts — Day 2 | – Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply. | – |
1Youth day. Regular-season bag limits apply.
2Two named hunt days: September 19, 2026 & December 12, 2026. Not a continuous season. Sunday hunting is illegal.
3Two named hunt days: September 19 and October 17, 2026. Source uses ' - ' (dash) suggesting two dates, not a continuous range. Sunday hunting is illegal.
4Two named hunt days: September 26 and October 17, 2026. Source uses ' - ' (dash) suggesting two dates, not a continuous range. Sunday hunting is illegal.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Dec 15 – Feb 4 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Falconry Season | 3 Ducks, Mergansers and American Coots; respectively, singly or in aggregate. Species Restrictions Apply. | 9 |
| South Zone1,2 | Jan 7 – Feb 27 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Falconry Season | 3 Ducks, Mergansers and American Coots; respectively, singly or in aggregate. Species Restrictions Apply. | 9 |
| Coastal Zone1,2 | Jan 7 – Feb 27 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only Special Falconry Season | 3 Ducks, Mergansers and American Coots; respectively, singly or in aggregate. Species Restrictions Apply. | 9 |
1Ducks, Mergansers and American Coots; respectively, singly or in aggregate. Species Restrictions Apply.
2In addition to the regular migratory bird season. Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine.
Spring 2027 turkey season
Checked October 16, 2026.
Official regulations
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeZones, tags, bag limits and public-land rules.
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See the turkey hunting appOfficial regulations
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your deer hunts free in BlindBook.
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See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeThe 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 20, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.