Read from Game and Fish Department on August 23, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Game and Fish Department before you hunt.
Open the official North Dakota regulationsHunting North Dakota this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
North Dakota is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from August 15 through January 3, 2027, with 25 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Game and Fish Department 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Plains Unit1,2North Dakota Low Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Dec 6 Regular Season | 6 5 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 2 canvasback, 3 wood duck. Bonus: additional 2 blue-winged teal Sep 26–Oct 4 only. Mergansers included in 6-duck bag. | 18 |
| High Plains Unit3,4,5,6North Dakota High Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Dec 6 First Segment | 6 Same species sub-limits as Low Plains Unit: 5 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 2 canvasback, 3 wood duck. Bonus 2 blue-winged teal Sep 26–Oct 4. Mergansers included. | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 3 Second Segment | 6 Same species sub-limits as Low Plains Unit: 5 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 2 canvasback, 3 wood duck. Mergansers included. No bonus teal. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Lesser Scaup scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Blue-winged Teal bonus, Sep 26–Oct 4 only, in addition to 6-duck bag | 2 | 6 |
15 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 2 canvasback, 3 wood duck. Bonus: additional 2 blue-winged teal Sep 26–Oct 4 only. Mergansers included in 6-duck bag.
2Blue-winged teal bonus Sep 26–Oct 4 only. Resident-only Sep 26–Oct 4.
3Same species sub-limits as Low Plains Unit: 5 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 2 canvasback, 3 wood duck. Bonus 2 blue-winged teal Sep 26–Oct 4. Mergansers included.
4High Plains Unit split season segment 1. Resident-only Sep 26–Oct 4.
5Same species sub-limits as Low Plains Unit: 5 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 pintail, 2 redhead, 2 canvasback, 3 wood duck. Mergansers included. No bonus teal.
6High Plains Unit split season segment 2.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Plains Unit1,2North Dakota Low Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Oct 4 Bonus Blue-winged Teal (2 in addition to the duck limit) | 2 ND does not have a distinct early teal-only season; teal included in regular duck season framework. Standard nontoxic shot and plugged shotgun rules apply. | 6 |
| High Plains Unit1,2North Dakota High Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Oct 4 Bonus Blue-winged Teal (2 in addition to the duck limit) | 2 ND does not have a distinct early teal-only season; teal included in regular duck season framework. Standard nontoxic shot and plugged shotgun rules apply. | 6 |
1ND does not have a distinct early teal-only season; teal included in regular duck season framework. Standard nontoxic shot and plugged shotgun rules apply.
2Corrected 2026-09-14: this is a BONUS of 2 blue-winged teal on top of the 6-duck daily limit, not a standalone 6-bird teal season. Was recorded as bag 6. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Canada Goose Zone1,2,3,4 | Aug 15 – Sep 22 Early Canada Goose Season | 15 Canada geese only. Same boundaries as Low Plains Duck Unit. Federal Duck Stamp required beginning Sep 1. | 45 |
| Sep 26 – Dec 19 Regular Season | 8 Canada geese only. Possession limit three times the daily limit. | 24 | |
| Western Canada Goose Zone2,3,4,5 | Aug 15 – Sep 15 Early Canada Goose Season | 15 Canada geese only. Same boundaries as High Plains Duck Unit excluding Missouri River Canada Goose Zone. Federal Duck Stamp required beginning Sep 1. | 45 |
| Sep 26 – Dec 24 Regular Season | 8 Canada geese only. Possession limit three times the daily limit. | 24 | |
| Missouri River Canada Goose Zone3,4,6,7 | Aug 15 – Sep 7 Early Canada Goose Season | 15 Canada geese only. Resident license and early September Canada goose license required. Federal Duck Stamp required beginning Sep 1. | 45 |
| Sep 26 – Jan 1 Regular Season | 5 Canada geese only. Possession limit three times the daily limit. | 15 |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Game and Fish Department. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Canada geese only. Same boundaries as Low Plains Duck Unit. Federal Duck Stamp required beginning Sep 1.
2Part of Early Canada Goose Season. Hunters may not aggregate limits across zones.
3Canada geese only. Possession limit three times the daily limit.
4Shooting hours modified: sunset on Sat/Wed Sep 26–Nov 28, 2026; all-day sunset from Nov 29, 2026. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
5Canada geese only. Same boundaries as High Plains Duck Unit excluding Missouri River Canada Goose Zone. Federal Duck Stamp required beginning Sep 1.
6Canada geese only. Resident license and early September Canada goose license required. Federal Duck Stamp required beginning Sep 1.
7Part of Early Canada Goose Season. Days before Sep 1 are USFWS Management Take; days Sep 1+ are migratory bird framework. Hunters may not aggregate limits across zones.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 26 – Dec 6 | 3 Possession limit three times the daily limit. | 9 |
1Possession limit three times the daily limit.
2Shooting hours modified: sunset on Sat/Wed Sep 26–Nov 28, 2026; all-day sunset from Nov 29, 2026. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 26 – Jan 3 Regular Season | 50 Possession limit unlimited. Includes snow geese (blue geese) and Ross's geese. | – |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Game and Fish Department. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Possession limit unlimited. Includes snow geese (blue geese) and Ross's geese.
2Shooting hours modified: sunset on Sat/Wed Sep 26–Nov 28, 2026; all-day sunset from Nov 29, 2026. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Plains Unit1,2North Dakota Low Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Dec 6 Regular Season | 15 Same nontoxic shot, plugged shotgun, no electronic calls rules as ducks. Follow regular waterfowl season framework. ND Waterfowl Habitat Restoration Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP required. | 45 |
| High Plains Unit1,3,4North Dakota High Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Dec 6 First Segment | 15 Same nontoxic shot, plugged shotgun, no electronic calls rules as ducks. Follow regular waterfowl season framework. ND Waterfowl Habitat Restoration Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP required. | 45 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 3 Second Segment | 15 Same nontoxic shot, plugged shotgun, no electronic calls rules as ducks. Follow regular waterfowl season framework. ND Waterfowl Habitat Restoration Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP required. | 45 |
1Same nontoxic shot, plugged shotgun, no electronic calls rules as ducks. Follow regular waterfowl season framework. ND Waterfowl Habitat Restoration Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP required.
2Concurrent with Low Plains Unit duck season dates. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
3Same limits as Low Plains Unit; concurrent with High Plains Unit duck season segment 1. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
4Same limits as Low Plains Unit; concurrent with High Plains Unit duck season segment 2.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Plains Unit1,2,3North Dakota High Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Dec 6 First Segment | 6 Counted within 6-duck aggregate bag. | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 3 Second Segment | 6 Counted within 6-duck aggregate bag. | 18 | |
| Low Plains Unit1,4North Dakota Low Plains waterfowl unit | Sep 26 – Dec 6 Regular Season | 6 Counted within 6-duck aggregate bag. | 18 |
1Counted within 6-duck aggregate bag.
2Mergansers included in 6-duck daily bag; concurrent with High Plains Unit duck season segment 1. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
3Mergansers included in 6-duck daily bag; concurrent with High Plains Unit duck season segment 2.
4Mergansers included in 6-duck daily bag; concurrent with Low Plains Unit duck season. Resident-only Sep 26-Oct 4.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Unit 2 (east of US Hwy 281)1,2Sandhill crane unit east of U.S. Highway 281 | Sep 19 – Nov 15 | 2 Sandhill crane hunting permit required in addition to applicable licenses. | 6 |
| Crane Unit 1 (west of US Hwy 281)1,2Sandhill crane unit west of U.S. Highway 281 | Sep 19 – Nov 15 | 3 Sandhill crane hunting permit required in addition to applicable licenses. | 9 |
1Sandhill crane hunting permit required in addition to applicable licenses.
2Hunters may not aggregate daily bag or possession limits from the two units.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide (Swan Lottery)1,2Statewide tundra swan lottery hunt | Oct 3 – Jan 3 | 1 Lottery license required; 2,200 licenses available. One swan per licensee. Tag must be attached immediately upon retrieving swan. | 1 |
1Lottery license required; 2,200 licenses available. One swan per licensee. Tag must be attached immediately upon retrieving swan.
2Tag must remain with carcass until Mar 31, 2027 or until meat is consumed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | 6 Hunters 15 years of age or younger. Adult (18+) must accompany. Adult may not hunt ducks, geese, cranes, coots, or mergansers unless they qualify for veterans' season. No bonus blue-winged teal. | 18 |
1Hunters 15 years of age or younger. Adult (18+) must accompany. Adult may not hunt ducks, geese, cranes, coots, or mergansers unless they qualify for veterans' season. No bonus blue-winged teal.
2Duck and goose bag limits same as regular season except no bonus teal. Early September Canada goose regulations apply in open early goose zones.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | 6 Veterans and active duty Armed Forces members (including National Guard/Reserves on active duty other than training). Resident hunting license required. Federal Duck Stamp required for ages 16+. No bonus blue-winged teal. | 18 |
1Veterans and active duty Armed Forces members (including National Guard/Reserves on active duty other than training). Resident hunting license required. Federal Duck Stamp required for ages 16+. No bonus blue-winged teal.
2Duck and goose bag limits same as regular season except no bonus teal. Early September Canada goose regulations apply in open early goose zones.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 11 Closed Sep 5, Sep 6 | 3 Licensed falconers only. Applicable to snipe, ducks, mergansers, and coots. Sep 1–4 and Sep 7–11 only (two segments). Federal migratory hunting stamp required. | 9 |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Game and Fish Department. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Licensed falconers only. Applicable to snipe, ducks, mergansers, and coots. Sep 1–4 and Sep 7–11 only (two segments). Federal migratory hunting stamp required.
2Pre-season falconry extension: Sep 1–4, 2026 and Sep 7–11, 2026. Bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory birds shall not exceed 3 and 9, respectively, singly or in aggregate. Firearms prohibited afield during extended seasons.
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.