Hunting 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 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 13 through March 10, 2026, 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 Game and Fish within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North | Oct 11 – Jan 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway North | Oct 19 – Jan 31 | 7 | 21 |
| Central Flyway South | Oct 28 – Jan 31 | 6 | 18 |
| Pacific Flyway South | Oct 19 – Jan 31 | 7 | 21 |
Species-by-species limits are being verified against Department of Game and Fish. Dates and daily bag limits above are confirmed.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | 6 | 18 |
| Central Flyway South | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 5 | 15 |
| Pacific Flyway North | Sep 27 – Oct 12 First Segment | 4 | 12 |
| Nov 2 – Jan 31 Second Segment | |||
| Central Flyway South | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 5 | 15 |
| Pacific Flyway South | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 4 | 12 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1 | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 20 | 60 |
| Central Flyway North1 | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 50 | 150 |
| Central Flyway South1 | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 50 | 150 |
| Pacific Flyway South1 | Oct 17 – Jan 31 | 20 | 60 |
1[Bulk fix: possession_limit set to NULL — light geese have no federal possession limit in any flyway]
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway North1 | Feb 1 – Mar 10 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Central Flyway South1 | Feb 1 – Mar 10 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1No bag or possession limit. CF zones only. Source: NM eRegulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1,2 | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Coots | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 19 – Jan 31 Moorhens/Gallinules | |||
| Central Flyway North1 | Oct 11 – Jan 14 Coots | 15 | 45 |
| Central Flyway South1 | Oct 28 – Jan 31 Coots | 15 | 45 |
| Pacific Flyway South1,2 | Oct 19 – Jan 31 Coots | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 19 – Jan 31 Moorhens/Gallinules |
1Dates match duck season. Source: NM eRegulations.
2PF zones only. Source: NM eRegulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Rio Grande Valley Crane Hunt1,2,3 | Nov 15 – Nov 16 Hunt SCR-0-102 (87 permits) | 3 | 6 |
| Nov 22 – Nov 22 Youth-only hunt SCR-0-107 (24 permits, NM residents) | |||
| Nov 29 – Nov 30 Hunt SCR-0-103 (87 permits) | |||
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Hunt SCR-0-104 (87 permits) | |||
| Jan 3 – Jan 4 Hunt SCR-0-105 (87 permits) | |||
| Jan 10 – Jan 11 Hunt SCR-0-106 (87 permits) | |||
| Southwestern Crane Hunt Area4 | Nov 1 – Nov 9 Hunt SCR-0-108 (75 permits) | 3 | 6 |
| Jan 3 – Jan 4 Hunt SCR-0-109 (77 permits) | |||
| Eastern Crane Hunt Area5,6 | Oct 25 – Jan 22 | 3 | 6 |
| Estancia Valley Crane Hunt7 | Nov 1 – Nov 4 First hunt (SCR-0-101) | 3 | 6 |
| Nov 6 – Nov 9 Second hunt (SCR-0-101) |
1Draw-only; mandatory check station; Bernardo, La Joya and Casa Colorada WMAs closed during regular draw hunts
2Draw-only; youth hunters assigned to Bernardo or Casa Colorada WMAs
3Draw-only; mandatory check station
4Draw-only; Harvest Questionnaire and Bill Measurement Card due within 5 days after hunt
5Free Eastern Sandhill Crane Permit (unlimited, over-the-counter/online) plus appropriate NM license
6From NMDGF 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Rules & Info PDF; 2026-27 supplement not yet posted. All hunts except the Eastern hunt are draw-only. Federal Duck Stamp not required for cranes.
7Draw-only, 65 permits; Harvest Questionnaire and Bill Measurement Card due within 5 days after hunting
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Flyway North1 | Oct 11 – Oct 12 Youth Waterfowl Days | – | – |
| Central Flyway North1 | Oct 4 – Oct 5 Youth Waterfowl Days | – | – |
| Central Flyway South1 | Oct 25 – Oct 26 Youth Waterfowl Days | – | – |
| Pacific Flyway South1 | Oct 11 – Oct 12 Youth Waterfowl Days | – | – |
1Same bag limits as regular season. Source: NM eRegulations.
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.