New Brunswick is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through February 24, 2026, with 30 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the New Brunswick Dept of Natural Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11,2,3 | Oct 15 – Jan 29 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 15 – Jan 29 | |||
| Zone 21,2,3 | Oct 1 – Jan 15 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 1 – Jan 15 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
1Verified against ECCC 2025-26 NB regs. Zone 1: Oct 15-Jan 29, Zone 2: Oct 1-Jan 15. 6/18 bag. Sub-limits: Mallard 4/12 (2 hens), Pintail 1/3, Canvasback 2/6, Redhead 2/6, Barrow's Goldeneye 1/1.
2Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. Excludes Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters. Harlequin Duck: no open season.
3Barrow's Goldeneye daily bag and possession limit is 1 (Species at Risk).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Season | 5 | 20 |
| Oct 15 – Jan 14 Main Season | |||
| Oct 15 – Jan 14 Regular Season | |||
| Zone 21,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Season | 5 | 20 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 31 Regular Season | |||
| Oct 1 – Dec 31 Main Season |
1Plus an additional 5 Canada Geese or Cackling Geese in any combination (total up to 10).
2All Geese combined.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11 | Oct 1 – Jan 15 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 50 | – |
| Zone 21 | Oct 1 – Dec 31 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 50 | – |
1Verified against ECCC 2025-26 NB regs. 50/no limit (Snow/Ross). NB regs do not list explicit light geese season; using Canadian standard limits.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 21,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | Oct 1 – Nov 1 First Segment | 6 | 12 |
| Oct 1 – Nov 1 First Split | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Segment (Eider Season) | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Split | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 15 Third Segment | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 15 Third Split | |||
| Zone 11,2,3,5,6,9,10,11,12,13 | Oct 15 – Nov 1 First Segment | 6 | 12 |
| Oct 15 – Nov 1 First Split | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Segment (Eider Season) | |||
| Nov 2 – Dec 31 Second Split | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 5 Third Split | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 5 Third Segment | |||
| Feb 1 – Feb 24 Fourth Segment | |||
| Feb 1 – Feb 24 Fourth Split |
1Not more than 4 may be Scoters. Not an open season for Eiders. Possession: not more than 4 may be Eiders, not more than 8 may be Scoters.
2Species group: Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined.
3Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters combined. Not more than 4 may be Scoters. Eiders: NOT open this segment. Possession: not more than 4 may be Eiders, not more than 8 may be Scoters.
4Eiders closed Oct 1–Nov 1 in Zone 2.
5Not more than 2 may be Eiders (of which not more than 1 may be female), not more than 4 may be Scoters. This is the only season for Eiders. Possession: not more than 4 may be Eiders, not more than 8 may be Scoters.
6Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters combined. Not more than 2 may be Eiders (of which not more than 1 may be female), not more than 4 may be Scoters. Only season for Eiders. Possession: not more than 4 may be Eiders, not more than 8 may be Scoters.
7Only Eider season in Zone 2.
8Eiders closed Jan 1–15 in Zone 2.
9Not more than 4 may be Scoters. Not an open season for Eiders. Possession: not more than 4 may be Eiders, not more than 8 may be Scoters. Combined with Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters.
10Eiders closed Oct 15–Nov 1 in Zone 1.
11Only Eider season in Zone 1.
12Eiders closed Jan 1–5 in Zone 1.
13Eiders closed Feb 1–24 in Zone 1.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 11,2 | Sep 15 – Nov 30 | 8 | 16 |
| Oct 15 – Jan 14 | |||
| Zone 21,2 | Sep 15 – Nov 30 | 8 | 16 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 31 |
1Woodcock season.
2Snipe season.
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 2025-2026 season. This data has not yet been verified against official sources for this season. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.