Read from Fish, Wildlife and Parks on August 13, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Fish, Wildlife and Parks before you hunt.
Open the official Montana regulationsHunting Montana this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Montana 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 January 27, 2027, with 53 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2,3Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 6 No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal allowed. | 18 |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Second Split | 6 No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal. | 18 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 11,4Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Oct 3 – Jan 7 Regular Season | 6 No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal allowed. | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway5,6,7,8,9,10Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 7 Youth ages 15 and under only. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. | 21 |
| Oct 3 – Dec 27 Regular Season (with scaup) | 7 No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed. | 21 | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 15 Late Season (Scaup Closed) | 7 Standard bag limit excluding scaup. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks. | 21 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway · Dec 28–Jan 15 · No more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway · Sep 26–Sep 27 · No more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway · Oct 3–Dec 27 · No more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 3–Oct 11 · No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Central Flyway Zone 1 · Oct 3–Jan 7 · No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 24–Jan 19 · No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Greater Scaup Pacific Flyway · Scaup season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Pacific Flyway · Season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway · Scaup season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 3–Oct 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway Zone 1 · Oct 3–Jan 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 24–Jan 19 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway · Season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Hooded Merganser | 2 | 6 |
| Blue-winged Teal Central Flyway Zone 1, Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 3–Oct 11 · Bonus, in addition to the 6-duck daily limit | 2 | 6 |
| Blue-winged Teal Central Flyway Zone 2 · Additional 2 during first 9 days (Oct. 3-11) only | 2 | 6 |
1No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal allowed.
2No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal.
3Includes mergansers in aggregate.
4Includes mergansers.
5Youth ages 15 and under only. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon.
6Includes mergansers in the 7-duck aggregate.
7Standard bag limit excluding scaup. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks.
8Scaup season closed after Dec. 27.
9No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed.
10Includes mergansers. Scaup season closes Dec. 27.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 11,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 5 Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 5 Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 27 Second Split | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 | |
| Pacific Flyway1,3,4,5Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 5 Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply. | 15 |
1Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese).
25 dark geese (all other geese).
3Part of Pacific Flyway geese daily limit: 20 white geese and 5 dark geese.
45 dark geese (all other geese). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply.
5Part of Pacific Flyway geese regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 20 Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's) daily. | 60 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 27 Second Split | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's) daily. | 60 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 12,3Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 20 Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 | |
| Pacific Flyway2,4,5,6Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 20 Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply. | 60 |
120 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's) daily.
2Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's).
320 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's).
4Part of Pacific Flyway geese daily limit: 20 white geese and 5 dark geese.
520 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply.
6Part of Pacific Flyway geese regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 Youth ages 15 and under only. | 45 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 11Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 Youth ages 15 and under only. | 45 |
| Pacific Flyway2,3,4,5Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 25 Youth ages 15 and under only. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. | 25 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 25 Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed. | 25 |
1Youth ages 15 and under only.
2Youth ages 15 and under only. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon.
3Bag limit 25 daily and in possession per Pacific Flyway coots section.
4Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed.
5Bag limit 25 daily and in possession.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2,3,4Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Counted within the 6-duck aggregate. Youth only. | 18 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Counted within the 6-duck/merganser aggregate. | 18 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Counted within the 6-duck/merganser aggregate. | 18 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 14,5,6,7Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 6 Counted within the 6-duck aggregate. Hooded merganser sub-limit: 2. | 18 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 7 Regular Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Counted within the 6-duck/merganser aggregate. Hooded merganser sub-limit: 2. | 18 | |
| Pacific Flyway8,9,10,11Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 7 Counted within the 7-duck aggregate. Youth ages 15 and under only. | 21 |
| Oct 3 – Dec 27 Regular Season (with scaup) · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 7 Counted within the 7-duck/merganser aggregate. | 21 | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 15 Regular Season (scaup closed) · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 7 Counted within the 7-duck/merganser aggregate. | 21 |
1Counted within the 6-duck aggregate. Youth only.
2Mergansers included in duck aggregate. Dates inherited from youth duck season.
3Counted within the 6-duck/merganser aggregate.
4Mergansers included in duck aggregate.
5Counted within the 6-duck aggregate. Hooded merganser sub-limit: 2.
6Mergansers included in duck aggregate per Central Flyway regulations. Dates inherited from youth duck season.
7Counted within the 6-duck/merganser aggregate. Hooded merganser sub-limit: 2.
8Counted within the 7-duck aggregate. Youth ages 15 and under only.
9Mergansers included in the duck aggregate per Pacific Flyway regulations. Dates inherited from youth duck season.
10Counted within the 7-duck/merganser aggregate.
11Mergansers included in the duck aggregate per Pacific Flyway regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane General Area (Central Flyway OTC)1,2Central Flyway outside the special drawing areas; free over-the-counter permit | Oct 3 – Nov 29 Over-the-Counter Permit · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 Free OTC permit required. Area south and west of I-90 closed except Carbon County (599-00). Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher counties and Stillwater/Sweetgrass north of I-90 require 586-01 license. | 9 |
| Crane Draw Area 380-01 (Southwest)3,4Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison counties; 150 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 380-01. Quota: 150. Valid only in Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison counties. | – |
| Crane Draw Area 284-01 (Ovando-Helmville)5,6Powell County; 40 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 284-01. Quota: 40. Valid only in Ovando-Helmville area. Successful applicants receive two 284-01 Sandhill Crane licenses. | – |
| Crane Draw Area 480-01 (Cascade-Teton)7,8Cascade and Teton counties; 30 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 480-01. Quota: 30. Valid only in Cascade and Teton counties. | – |
| Crane Draw Area 599-00 (Carbon County)9,10Carbon County; 30 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 599-00. Quota: 30. Valid only in Carbon County. | – |
| Crane Draw Area 586-01 (Golden Valley)11,12Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher counties; Sweetgrass and Stillwater north of I-90; 70 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 586-01. Quota: 70. Valid only in Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Meagher counties and those portions of Sweetgrass and Stillwater counties north of I-90. | – |
| Crane Draw Area 280-01 (Warm Springs)13,14Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County; 5 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 280-01. Quota: 5. Valid only in Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County. Successful applicants receive two 280-01 Sandhill Crane licenses. | – |
| Crane Draw Area 390-01 (Broadwater)15,16Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15; 35 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 2 Special drawing license 390-01. Quota: 35. Valid only in Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15. | – |
1Free OTC permit required. Area south and west of I-90 closed except Carbon County (599-00). Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher counties and Stillwater/Sweetgrass north of I-90 require 586-01 license.
2Central Flyway outside special drawing areas.
3Special drawing license 380-01. Quota: 150. Valid only in Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison counties.
4Successful applicants receive two 380-01 licenses.
5Special drawing license 284-01. Quota: 40. Valid only in Ovando-Helmville area. Successful applicants receive two 284-01 Sandhill Crane licenses.
6Successful applicants receive two 284-01 licenses.
7Special drawing license 480-01. Quota: 30. Valid only in Cascade and Teton counties.
8Successful applicants receive two 480-01 licenses.
9Special drawing license 599-00. Quota: 30. Valid only in Carbon County.
10Successful applicants receive two 599-00 licenses.
11Special drawing license 586-01. Quota: 70. Valid only in Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Meagher counties and those portions of Sweetgrass and Stillwater counties north of I-90.
12Successful applicants receive two 586-01 licenses.
13Special drawing license 280-01. Quota: 5. Valid only in Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County. Successful applicants receive two 280-01 Sandhill Crane licenses.
14Possession limit not explicitly stated for cranes; 2-bird daily bag.
15Special drawing license 390-01. Quota: 35. Valid only in Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15.
16Successful applicants receive two 390-01 licenses.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Swan Area (License 684-20)1,2Central Flyway portion of Montana (Blaine, Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon and all counties east) | Oct 3 – Jan 7 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 1 Special license only. License 684-20, quota 499. Application deadline June 1. | 1 |
| Pacific Flyway Swan Area (License 481-20)3,4Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole counties and portions of Teton/Pondera | Oct 10 – Dec 1 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 1 Drawing only. License 481-20, quota 499. Hunting in Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole, and portions of Teton and Pondera counties only. Must have watercraft, dog, or chest-high waders. | 1 |
1Special license only. License 684-20, quota 499. Application deadline June 1.
272-hour bill measurement card reporting required. Surplus licenses first-come first-served beginning June 15.
3Drawing only. License 481-20, quota 499. Hunting in Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole, and portions of Teton and Pondera counties only. Must have watercraft, dog, or chest-high waders.
472-hour bill measurement card reporting required. Portions of Teton and Pondera counties west of US Hwy 287/89 closed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Special Two-Day Youth Waterfowl Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | – Youth ages 15 and under only. Bag limits same as regular season. Canyon Ferry exception: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. | – |
1Youth ages 15 and under only. Bag limits same as regular season. Canyon Ferry exception: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon.
2Statewide. Ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots. Canyon Ferry: noon close Sept. 26-27.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2,3,4,5Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 23 – Oct 11 Falconry - Ducks/Coots First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate. | 6 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 Falconry Season - Geese First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate. | 6 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 27 Falconry Season - Geese Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate. | 6 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Falconry - Ducks/Coots Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate. | 6 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 11,2,3,6Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 23 – Jan 7 Falconry - Ducks/Coots · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate. | 6 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Falconry Season - Geese · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate. | 6 | |
| Pacific Flyway7,8Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Oct 3 – Jan 15 Falconry - Ducks, Coots, Geese · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate for all permitted migratory birds. | 6 |
12 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate.
2Ducks (including mergansers) and coots.
3Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate.
4Falconry geese first split Zone 2.
5Falconry geese second split Zone 2.
6Falconry geese season Zone 1.
72 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate for all permitted migratory birds.
8Ducks (including mergansers), coots, and geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Common (Wilson's) Snipe · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 8 | 24 |
18 daily and 24 in possession.
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.