Read from Department of Wildlife on September 6, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Wildlife before you hunt.
Open the official Nevada regulationsHunting Nevada this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Nevada is part of the Pacific Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 19 through March 7, 2027, with 62 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2Northeastern Nevada | Sep 26 – Dec 1 First Split | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 | |
| NORTHWEST ZONE1,2,3,4,5Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 |
| Nov 5 – Jan 3 First Split (Scaup) | 2 Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to. Scaup season opens Nov. 5, after general duck opener Oct. 17. | 6 | |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split (Scaup) | 2 Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to. | 6 | |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers1,2,5,6Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 |
| Nov 7 – Jan 31 Scaup | 2 Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to. | 6 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)1,2,7,8South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 7 Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit. | 21 | |
| Nov 7 – Jan 31 Scaup | 2 Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to. Scaup season opens Nov. 7, later than general duck opener. | 6 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Scaup SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley) · Included within general duck limit; opens Nov. 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup NORTHWEST ZONE · Included within general duck limit; opens Nov. 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers · Nov 7–Jan 31 · Included within general duck limit | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup NORTHWEST ZONE · Jan 6–Jan 31 · Included within general duck limit | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard no more than 2 hen mallard or Mexican duck | 7 | 21 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley) · Combined with Lesser Scaup; opens Nov. 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup NORTHWEST ZONE · Combined with Lesser Scaup; opens Nov. 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers · Nov 7–Jan 31 · Combined with Lesser Scaup; included within general duck limit | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup NORTHWEST ZONE · Jan 6–Jan 31 · Combined with Lesser Scaup; included within general duck limit | 2 | 6 |
1Includes mergansers (excluding scaup). Sub-limits: 2/6 hen mallard or Mexican duck; 3/9 pintail; 2/6 redhead; 2/6 canvasback. Possession limit is 3x daily limit.
2Mergansers included in same season. Open to Nonresidents.
3Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to. Scaup season opens Nov. 5, after general duck opener Oct. 17.
4Scaup season opens Nov. 5, 2026, later than general duck season opener Oct. 17, 2026.
5Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to.
6Scaup season opens Nov. 7, 2026, later than general duck season opener Oct. 31 for this zone.
7Scaup (Lesser and Greater). Included within general duck limit, not in addition to. Scaup season opens Nov. 7, later than general duck opener.
8Scaup season opens Nov. 7, 2026, later than general duck second split opener Oct. 28.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2Northeastern Nevada | Sep 26 – Dec 1 First Split | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 | |
| NORTHWEST ZONE1,2Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers1,2Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)1,2South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 5 Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
1Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant. Limits singly or in the aggregate.
2Open to Nonresidents.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHWEST ZONE1Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 | 18 | |
| Northeast Zone1Northeastern Nevada | Sep 26 – Dec 1 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 6 | 18 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)2South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 | 18 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers2Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 | 6 | 18 |
1Open to Nonresidents. Bag limit decreased from 10/30 to 6/18 for 2026-2027.
2Open to Nonresidents.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2,3,4Northeastern Nevada | Oct 10 – Dec 1 First Split | 20 Closed: Ruby Valley within Elko and White Pine Counties. | 60 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 20 Closed: Ruby Valley within Elko and White Pine Counties. | 60 | |
| Feb 22 – Mar 7 Conservation Order / Late Season | 20 CLOSED: Ruby Valley within Elko and White Pine Counties; restrictions on three shotshell capacity and recorded/amplified bird calls do not apply | 60 | |
| NORTHWEST ZONE2,5,6,7,8Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 3 First Split | 20 Closed: Mason Valley and Scripps/Washoe State Park WMAs during Feb. 22 - Mar. 7, 2027 season (not applicable to this split). | 60 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 20 CLOSED: Mason Valley and Scripps/Washoe State Park WMAs during Feb 22–Mar 7 season | 60 | |
| Feb 22 – Mar 7 Conservation Order | 20 Closed: Mason Valley and Scripps/Washoe State Park WMAs. Restrictions on three shotshell capacity and recorded/amplified bird calls do not apply. | 60 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers2Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 | 20 | 60 |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)2South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 20 | 60 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 20 | 60 |
1Closed: Ruby Valley within Elko and White Pine Counties.
2Snow and Ross' Geese. Open to Nonresidents.
3CLOSED: Ruby Valley within Elko and White Pine Counties; restrictions on three shotshell capacity and recorded/amplified bird calls do not apply
4Snow and Ross' Geese late season. Open to Nonresidents.
5Closed: Mason Valley and Scripps/Washoe State Park WMAs during Feb. 22 - Mar. 7, 2027 season (not applicable to this split).
6CLOSED: Mason Valley and Scripps/Washoe State Park WMAs during Feb 22–Mar 7 season
7Closed: Mason Valley and Scripps/Washoe State Park WMAs. Restrictions on three shotshell capacity and recorded/amplified bird calls do not apply.
8Conservation Order period with relaxed equipment rules.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1Northeastern Nevada | Sep 26 – Dec 1 First Split | 25 | 75 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 25 | 75 | |
| NORTHWEST ZONE1Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 25 | 75 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 25 | 75 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers1Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 | 25 | 75 |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)1South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 25 | 75 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 25 | 75 |
1Coots and Gallinules
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2Northeastern Nevada | Sep 26 – Dec 1 First Split | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 | |
| NORTHWEST ZONE1,2Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)1,2South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers1,2Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 | 7 Included within general duck limit, not in addition to | 21 |
1Included within general duck limit, not in addition to
2Season listed jointly as 'Ducks and Mergansers'; mergansers counted inside the 7-duck aggregate.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swan Hunt Area (Churchill, Lyon and Pershing counties)1,2Nevada swan unit — Churchill, Lyon and Pershing counties (Lahontan Valley) | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 1 Permit required; 750 total permits; max two swan hunt permits per season; season closes if 10 trumpeter swans harvested | 2 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 1 Permit required; 750 total permits; max two swan hunt permits per season; season closes if 10 trumpeter swans harvested | 2 |
1Permit required; 750 total permits; max two swan hunt permits per season; season closes if 10 trumpeter swans harvested
2Permit hunt. Mandatory species verification within 3 days of harvest. Open to Non-residents.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1,2Northeastern Nevada | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | 7 Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger. Youth 16+ must possess Federal duck stamp. Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adults not allowed to hunt. Daily bag limit same as general season for ducks, mergansers, scaup, snipe, geese, coots and gallinules. | 21 |
| NORTHWEST ZONE3,4,5Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 3 – Oct 3 October date | 7 Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger; hunters 16+ must have federal duck stamp; must be accompanied by adult 18+; adults not allowed to hunt; youth with valid swan permit may hunt swans in Churchill, Lyon and Pershing Counties | 21 |
| Feb 13 – Feb 13 February date | 7 Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger; hunters 16+ must have federal duck stamp; must be accompanied by adult 18+; adults not allowed to hunt; youth with valid swan permit may hunt swans in Churchill, Lyon and Pershing Counties | 21 | |
| SOUTH ZONE (including the Moapa Valley portion of the Overton Wildlife Management Area)6,7South Zone including the Moapa Valley portion of the Overton WMA. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Feb 13 – Feb 14 | 7 Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger. Youth 16+ must possess Federal duck stamp. Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adults not allowed to hunt. Daily bag limit same as general season. | 21 |
| Moapa Valley portion of the Overton Wildlife Management Area8,9Moapa Valley portion of the Overton Wildlife Management Area. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 24 – Oct 24 | 7 Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger; hunters 16+ must have federal duck stamp; must be accompanied by adult 18+; adults not allowed to hunt | 21 |
1Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger. Youth 16+ must possess Federal duck stamp. Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adults not allowed to hunt. Daily bag limit same as general season for ducks, mergansers, scaup, snipe, geese, coots and gallinules.
2Ruby Valley within Elko and White Pine counties closed to Snow and Ross' geese.
3Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger; hunters 16+ must have federal duck stamp; must be accompanied by adult 18+; adults not allowed to hunt; youth with valid swan permit may hunt swans in Churchill, Lyon and Pershing Counties
4Two separate youth hunt dates in Northwest Zone: October 3, 2026 and February 13, 2027. Open to Nonresidents.
5Two separate youth hunt dates in Northwest Zone. Open to Nonresidents.
6Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger. Youth 16+ must possess Federal duck stamp. Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adults not allowed to hunt. Daily bag limit same as general season.
7Two named dates: Feb. 13 & 14, 2027.
8Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger; hunters 16+ must have federal duck stamp; must be accompanied by adult 18+; adults not allowed to hunt
9Additional youth hunt date for Moapa Valley portion of Overton WMA only. Open to Nonresidents.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Zone1Northeastern Nevada | Sep 26 – Dec 1 First Split | 8 | 24 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 18 Second Split | 8 | 24 | |
| NORTHWEST ZONE1Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey & Washoe Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Jan 3 First Split | 8 | 24 |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31 Second Split | 8 | 24 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – (except the Moapa Valley)1South Zone excluding the Moapa Valley. Zone counties: Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties. NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 8 | 24 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | 8 | 24 | |
| SOUTH ZONE – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers1Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Within South Zone (Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye & Clark Counties). NDOW Commission Regulation 26-10, adopted as presented 9-0 by NBWC March 2026. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 Snipe | 8 | 24 |
1Snipe (Wilson's/Common Snipe)
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 September 6, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.