Read from Department of Game and Fish on August 23, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Game and Fish before you hunt.
Open the official New Mexico regulationsHunting New Mexico this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
New Mexico is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 12 through January 31, 2027, with 44 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Game and Fish 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 North1New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Oct 10 – Jan 13 | 6 5 mallards (only 2 female; Mexican ducks count toward mallard bag); 1 scaup; 3 wood ducks; 2 redhead; 2 hooded merganser; 3 pintail; 2 canvasback | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway North2,3New Mexico Pacific Flyway North Zone | Oct 19 – Jan 31 | 7 Aggregate may include no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redheads, 3 pintail, 2 canvasback; scaup 2 daily (included in aggregate) | 21 |
| Central Flyway South4,5New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 6 Same species sub-limits as North Zone: 5 mallards (only 2 female; Mexican ducks count toward mallard bag); 1 scaup; 3 wood ducks; 2 redhead; 2 hooded merganser; 3 pintail; 2 canvasback | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway South2,3New Mexico Pacific Flyway South Zone | Oct 19 – Jan 31 | 7 Aggregate may include no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redheads, 3 pintail, 2 canvasback; scaup 2 daily (included in aggregate) | 21 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard Pacific Flyway South · Oct 19–Jan 31 · no more than 2 female mallards | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway North · Oct 19–Jan 31 · no more than 2 female mallards | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Central Flyway North · Oct 10–Jan 13 · only 2 may be female · Mexican ducks counted in mallard bag | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Central Flyway South · Oct 28–Jan 31 · only 2 may be female · Mexican ducks counted in mallard bag | 5 | 15 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway North · Oct 10–Jan 13 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway South · Oct 28–Jan 31 | 1 | 3 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Hooded Merganser | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway South · Oct 19–Jan 31 · Included in aggregate bag for ducks; season closes Jan. 12, '27 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway North · Oct 19–Jan 31 · Included in aggregate bag for ducks; season closes Jan. 12, '27 | 2 | 6 |
15 mallards (only 2 female; Mexican ducks count toward mallard bag); 1 scaup; 3 wood ducks; 2 redhead; 2 hooded merganser; 3 pintail; 2 canvasback
2Aggregate may include no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redheads, 3 pintail, 2 canvasback; scaup 2 daily (included in aggregate)
3Applies to both North and South Zones of Pacific Flyway
4Same species sub-limits as North Zone: 5 mallards (only 2 female; Mexican ducks count toward mallard bag); 1 scaup; 3 wood ducks; 2 redhead; 2 hooded merganser; 3 pintail; 2 canvasback
5Source states 'Same as North Zone / 3 times daily bag' for Ducks and American Coot combined
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North1,2New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Sep 12 – Sep 20 September Teal Season | 6 Blue-winged, cinnamon, green-winged teal only | 18 |
| Central Flyway South1,3New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Sep 12 – Sep 20 September Teal Season | 6 Blue-winged, cinnamon, green-winged teal only | 18 |
1Blue-winged, cinnamon, green-winged teal only
2Applies to both North and South Zones of Central Flyway
3Applies to both North and South Zones of Central Flyway; same dates and limits
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1,2,3New Mexico Pacific Flyway North Zone | Sep 26 – Oct 11 First Split | 5 5 Canada and brant / 15 in possession; 10 white-fronted / 30 in possession; 20 light / 60 in possession | 15 |
| Nov 2 – Jan 31 Second Split | 5 5 Canada and brant / 15 in possession; 10 white-fronted / 30 in possession; 20 light / 60 in possession | 15 | |
| Central Flyway North4,5New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 5 Canada and white-fronted goose; MRGV (Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties) closed to dark goose hunting in the regular season | 15 |
| Central Flyway South4,6New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 5 Canada and white-fronted goose; MRGV (Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties) closed to dark goose hunting in the regular season | 15 |
| Middle Rio Grande Valley Crane Hunt7,8Valencia and Socorro counties | Dec 19 – Jan 31 MRGV Dark Goose | 2 2 per day / 2 per season (Canada and white-fronted goose); MRGV = Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties | 6 |
| Pacific Flyway South1,9New Mexico Pacific Flyway South Zone | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 5 5 Canada and brant / 15 in possession; 10 white-fronted / 30 in possession; 20 light / 60 in possession | 15 |
15 Canada and brant / 15 in possession; 10 white-fronted / 30 in possession; 20 light / 60 in possession
2Pacific Flyway North Zone goose season; split season
3Pacific Flyway North Zone goose season second split
4Canada and white-fronted goose; MRGV (Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties) closed to dark goose hunting in the regular season
5Applies to North and South Zones of Central Flyway; MRGV closed
6Applies to North and South Zones; MRGV closed in regular season
72 per day / 2 per season (Canada and white-fronted goose); MRGV = Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties
82 per season limit. MRGV includes Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties.
9Pacific Flyway South Zone goose season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1,2,3New Mexico Pacific Flyway North Zone | Sep 26 – Oct 11 First Split | 20 Snow and Ross's goose; 20 light / 60 in possession | 60 |
| Nov 2 – Jan 31 Second Split | 20 Snow and Ross's goose; 20 light / 60 in possession | 60 | |
| Central Flyway North4,5New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 50 Snow and Ross's goose; no possession limit | – |
| Central Flyway South4,5New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 50 Snow and Ross's goose; no possession limit | – |
| Pacific Flyway South1,6New Mexico Pacific Flyway South Zone | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 20 Snow and Ross's goose; 20 light / 60 in possession | 60 |
1Snow and Ross's goose; 20 light / 60 in possession
2Light geese included in Pacific Flyway North Zone goose entry; split season first segment
3Light geese included in Pacific Flyway North Zone goose entry; split season second segment
4Snow and Ross's goose; no possession limit
5Applies to North and South Zones of Central Flyway; no possession limit
6Light geese included in Pacific Flyway South Zone goose entry
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North1,2New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Feb 1 – Mar 10 Light Goose Conservation Order | – No bag limit / No possession limit; snow and Ross's goose; free permit required; electronic calls and unplugged shotguns approved | – |
| Central Flyway South1,3New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Feb 1 – Mar 10 Light Goose Conservation Order | – No bag limit / No possession limit; snow and Ross's goose; free permit required; electronic calls and unplugged shotguns approved | – |
1No bag limit / No possession limit; snow and Ross's goose; free permit required; electronic calls and unplugged shotguns approved
2Applies to North and South Zones of Central Flyway. WMAs have specific shooting hour rules. Bernardo Unit D (handicap accessible) and Bernardo Ponds Unit open Mon/Wed/Sat 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset.
3Applies to North and South Zones of Central Flyway; same season covers both zones.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1,2New Mexico Pacific Flyway North Zone | Oct 19 – Jan 31 | 25 25 singly or in aggregate with gallinules | 75 |
| Central Flyway North3New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Oct 10 – Jan 13 | 15 | 45 |
| Central Flyway South4New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 15 | 45 |
| Pacific Flyway South1,2New Mexico Pacific Flyway South Zone | Oct 19 – Jan 31 | 25 25 singly or in aggregate with gallinules | 75 |
125 singly or in aggregate with gallinules
2American Coot and Gallinules listed together; applies to Pacific Flyway North and South Zones
3American Coot
4Concurrent with South Zone duck season; same limits as North Zone (15 daily / 45 possession)
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North1,2New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Oct 10 – Jan 13 | 6 Hooded merganser: no more than 2 per day (counted within 6-duck aggregate) | 18 |
| Central Flyway South1,3New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 6 Hooded merganser: no more than 2 per day (counted within 6-duck aggregate) | 18 |
1Hooded merganser: no more than 2 per day (counted within 6-duck aggregate)
2Hooded mergansers are counted within the 6-duck daily aggregate bag; dates concurrent with duck season
3Hooded mergansers are counted within the 6-duck daily aggregate bag; dates concurrent with duck season (same as North Zone limits)
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Rio Grande Valley Crane Hunt1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8Valencia and Socorro counties | Nov 14 – Nov 15 MRGV Hunt – Nov. 14-15 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-102); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only | 6 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 21 MRGV Youth-only Hunt | 3 Resident youth-only (SCR-0-107); 24 permits; Bernardo or Casa Colorada WMAs; up to 2 hunters per application | 3 | |
| Nov 28 – Nov 29 MRGV Hunt – Nov. 28-29 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-103); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only | 6 | |
| Dec 12 – Dec 13 MRGV Hunt – Dec. 12-13 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-104); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only | 6 | |
| Jan 2 – Jan 3 MRGV Hunt – Jan. 2-3 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-105); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only | 6 | |
| Jan 9 – Jan 10 MRGV Hunt – Jan. 9-10 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-106); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only | 6 | |
| Southwestern Crane Hunt Area9,10,11Parts of Sierra, Dona Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties | Oct 31 – Nov 8 Southwestern Hunt – Oct. 31–Nov. 8 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-108); 75 permits; Parts of Sierra, Doña Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties | 6 |
| Jan 2 – Jan 3 Southwestern Hunt – Jan. 2-3 | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-109); 77 permits; Parts of Sierra, Doña Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties | 6 | |
| Eastern Crane Hunt Area12,13Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay and Roosevelt counties | Oct 24 – Jan 21 Eastern Hunt | 3 Free permit required; unlimited permits; Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay and Roosevelt counties | 6 |
| Estancia Valley Crane Hunt14,15Portions of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties | Dec 12 – Dec 15 Estancia Valley Hunt – First Period | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-101); 65 permits; Portions of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties | 6 |
| Dec 17 – Dec 20 Estancia Valley Hunt – Second Period | 3 Draw permit required (SCR-0-101); 65 permits; Portions of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties | 6 |
1Draw permit required (SCR-0-102); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only
2Must check cranes at designated station; file harvest report within 5 days
3Draw permit required (SCR-0-103); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only
4Draw permit required (SCR-0-104); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only
5Draw permit required (SCR-0-105); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only
6Draw permit required (SCR-0-106); 87 permits; Valencia and Socorro counties only
7Resident youth-only (SCR-0-107); 24 permits; Bernardo or Casa Colorada WMAs; up to 2 hunters per application
8Bag and possession limits are 3; residents only
9Draw permit required (SCR-0-108); 75 permits; Parts of Sierra, Doña Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties
10Must return Harvest Questionnaire and Bill Measurement Card to NMDGF within 5 days
11Draw permit required (SCR-0-109); 77 permits; Parts of Sierra, Doña Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties
12Free permit required; unlimited permits; Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay and Roosevelt counties
13No Duck Stamp required; permit required but free and unlimited
14Draw permit required (SCR-0-101); 65 permits; Portions of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties
15Must return Harvest Questionnaire and Bill Measurement Card to NMDGF within 5 days of hunting
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1,2New Mexico Pacific Flyway North Zone | Oct 10 – Oct 11 Federal Youth Waterfowl Days · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 7 Youth hunters may take only ducks, coots and gallinules in the Pacific Flyway; bag and possession limits same as regular season | 21 |
| Central Flyway North3,4New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Oct 3 – Oct 4 Federal Youth Waterfowl Days | 6 Youth hunters may take only ducks and coots in the Central Flyway; bag and possession limits same as regular season | 18 |
| Central Flyway South3,4New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Oct 24 – Oct 25 Federal Youth Waterfowl Days | 6 Youth hunters may take only ducks and coots in the Central Flyway; bag and possession limits same as regular season | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway South1,2New Mexico Pacific Flyway South Zone | Oct 10 – Oct 11 Federal Youth Waterfowl Days · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 7 Youth hunters may take only ducks, coots and gallinules in the Pacific Flyway; bag and possession limits same as regular season | 21 |
1Youth hunters may take only ducks, coots and gallinules in the Pacific Flyway; bag and possession limits same as regular season
2Youth must be 17 or younger; adult 18+ must accompany; hunters 16+ must have Duck Stamp. Applies to both North and South Zones.
3Youth hunters may take only ducks and coots in the Central Flyway; bag and possession limits same as regular season
4Youth must be 17 or younger; adult 18+ must accompany; hunters 16+ must have Duck Stamp
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North1,2New Mexico Central Flyway North Zone | Sep 12 – Jan 13 Falconry – Ducks and American Coot | 3 Falconry only; 3 singly or in aggregate / 9 in possession; includes Sept. 12–20 teal season | 9 |
| Pacific Flyway North3,4New Mexico Pacific Flyway North Zone | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Falconry – Ducks and American Coot · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 Falconry only; 3 singly or in aggregate / 9 in possession | 9 |
| Central Flyway South1,5New Mexico Central Flyway South Zone | Sep 12 – Jan 31 Falconry – Ducks and American Coot | 3 Falconry only; 3 singly or in aggregate / 9 in possession; includes Sept. 12–20 teal season | 9 |
| Pacific Flyway South3,6New Mexico Pacific Flyway South Zone | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Falconry – Ducks and American Coot · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 Falconry only; 3 singly or in aggregate / 9 in possession | 9 |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Department of Game and Fish. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Falconry only; 3 singly or in aggregate / 9 in possession; includes Sept. 12–20 teal season
2Falconry season includes Sept. 12–20 and Oct. 10–Jan. 13, '27
3Falconry only; 3 singly or in aggregate / 9 in possession
4Applies to all Pacific Flyway zones
5Falconry season includes Sept. 12–20 and Oct. 28–Jan. 31, '27
6Applies to all Pacific Flyway zones; same entry as North Zone
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 23, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.