Hunting Washington this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Washington is part of the Pacific Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through February 15, 2027, with 47 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Fish and Wildlife within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | 7 | 21 |
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · Season closed Oct. 17–Nov. 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · Season closed Oct. 17–Nov. 6; open from Nov. 7 onward within this split | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Long-tailed Duck Western WA only | 2 | 6 |
| Common Goldeneye Western WA only; includes all goldeneye | 3 | 9 |
1Scaup season CLOSED Oct. 17 – Nov. 6. 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup (when open), 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide; not more than 3 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, 3 goldeneye in Western WA. Harlequin Duck closed statewide except 52 permits. Sea duck authorization required in Western WA.
2Regular season first split; scaup closed through Nov. 6.
3Scaup season closed Oct. 17 – Nov. 6 (closed through Nov. 6 of this split's opening). 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide; not more than 3 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, 3 goldeneye in Western WA. Harlequin Duck closed statewide except 52 permits. Sea duck authorization required in Western WA.
4Regular season second split; scaup closed through Nov. 6.
Hunting Washington’s season? Get the free app.
Drop your email and we’ll send the free BlindBook app — log hunts, ID birds, track your bag limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32 | Sep 6 – Sep 14 September Canada Goose Season - Goose Mgmt Areas 1 & 3 | 5 | 15 |
| Sep 6 – Sep 14 September Canada Goose Season - Goose Mgmt Area 2 | |||
| Sep 20 – Sep 20 Western Washington Youth - Goose Mgmt Areas 1, 2, & 3 | |||
| Oct 11 – Jan 10 Regular Season - Goose Mgmt Area 2 Inland (Ridgefield NWR) | |||
| Oct 11 – Jan 25 Regular Season - Goose Mgmt Area 3 | |||
| Oct 11 – Nov 30 Regular Season First Split - Goose Mgmt Area 1 | |||
| Oct 11 – Jan 11 Regular Season - Goose Mgmt Area 2 Coast | |||
| Oct 11 – Feb 15 Regular Season - Goose Mgmt Area 2 Inland (except Ridgefield NWR) | |||
| Oct 11 – Nov 30 Regular Season – GMA 2 Coast (First Split) | |||
| Oct 11 – Oct 26 Regular Season – GMA 2 Inland (First Split, excl. Ridgefield NWR) | |||
| Oct 11 – Oct 25 Regular Season – GMA 2 Inland Ridgefield NWR (First Split) | |||
| Oct 11 – Oct 19 Regular Season – GMA 3 (First Split) | |||
| Nov 1 – Jan 25 Regular Season – GMA 3 (Second Split) | |||
| Nov 26 – Jan 11 Regular Season – GMA 2 Inland (Second Split, excl. Ridgefield NWR) | |||
| Nov 26 – Jan 10 Regular Season – GMA 2 Inland Ridgefield NWR (Second Split) | |||
| Dec 13 – Jan 25 Regular Season Second Split - Goose Mgmt Area 1 | |||
| Dec 20 – Jan 11 Regular Season – GMA 2 Coast (Second Split) | |||
| Feb 7 – Feb 15 Late Season – GMA 2 Inland (excl. Ridgefield NWR, NWRs & WDFW Wildlife Areas) |
1Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays only. Oct. 11-25 and Nov. 26 - Jan. 10. Canada geese 2g (possession 6g), white-fronted 10 (possession 30), white geese 10 (possession 30). Dusky Canada goose closed.
2Ridgefield NWR only within GMA 2 Inland. Hunting Tue/Thu/Sat only.
3Oct. 11-19 & Nov. 1 - Jan. 25. Canada geese 3 (possession 9), white-fronted 10 (possession 30), white geese 10 (possession 30). Dusky Canada goose season closed.
4GMA 3; split dates Oct 11-19 and Nov 1 - Jan 25 (closed Oct 20-31).
5Canada geese only (footnote c). Dusky Canada goose season closed.
6September Canada Goose season in Goose Mgmt Areas 1 & 3.
7Canada geese only (footnote c). In Pacific County, daily bag/possession limits are 15/45 during September Canada goose season (footnote d). Dusky Canada goose season closed.
8GMA 2 September Canada Goose season; Pacific County has higher limits per footnote d.
9Canada and white-fronted goose only (white geese not included). Canada geese bag 3 / white-fronted geese bag 10. Dusky Canada goose season closed.
10Youth-only day; combined Canada + white-fronted bag shown. White geese not open on youth day.
11Canada geese 3 (possession 9), white-fronted 10 (possession 30), white geese 6 (possession 18). Dusky Canada goose season closed. Snow goose authorization reporting required.
12Goose Mgmt Area 1; first of two regular season splits.
13Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. Oct. 11 - Nov. 30 and Dec. 20 - Jan. 11. Canada geese 2g (possession 6g), white-fronted 10 (possession 30), white geese 10 (possession 30). Dusky Canada goose season closed (footnote g). Hunting hours 30 min after to 30 min before official waterfowl hours (footnote f). Authorization required.
14GMA 2 Coast: Pacific County and Grays Harbor County west of Hwy 101. Hunting on Sat/Sun/Wed only. Two-split dates Oct 11-Nov 30 and Dec 20-Jan 11.
15Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. Oct. 11-26, Nov. 26 - Jan. 11 and Feb. 7-15. Canada geese 2g (possession 6g), white-fronted 10 (possession 30), white geese 10 (possession 30). Dusky Canada goose closed. NWRs and WDFW Wildlife Areas closed to goose hunting Feb. 7-15 in this area. Authorization required.
16GMA 2 Inland except Ridgefield NWR: Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum counties and Grays Harbor County east of Hwy 101. Hunting Sat/Sun/Wed only.
17Goose Mgmt Area 1; second of two regular season splits.
18Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. Canada geese: 2 daily/6 possession (Dusky closed); White-fronted geese: 10 daily/30 possession; White geese: 10 daily/30 possession. GMA 2 - Coast (Pacific County and Grays Harbor County west of Hwy 101). Authorization required. Legal goose hunting hours are 30 min after start to 30 min before end of official waterfowl hours.
19Hunting on Sat/Sun/Wed only. Dusky Canada goose season closed.
20Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. Canada geese: 2 daily/6 possession (Dusky closed); White-fronted: 10 daily/30 possession; White geese: 10 daily/30 possession. Authorization required. Legal goose hours 30 min after start to 30 min before end of official waterfowl hours.
21Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. Canada geese: 2 daily/6 possession (Dusky closed); White-fronted: 10 daily/30 possession; White geese: 10 daily/30 possession. All areas except Ridgefield NWR. Authorization required. Legal goose hours 30 min after/before official waterfowl hours.
22GMA 2 Inland (Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum counties; Grays Harbor County east of Hwy 101). Excludes Ridgefield NWR. Sat/Sun/Wed only.
23Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. Canada geese: 2 daily/6 possession (Dusky closed); White-fronted: 10 daily/30 possession; White geese: 10 daily/30 possession. All areas except Ridgefield NWR. Authorization required.
24GMA 2 Inland, excluding Ridgefield NWR. Sat/Sun/Wed only.
25Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only. National Wildlife Refuges and WDFW Wildlife Areas closed during Feb. 7-15 in this management area. Canada geese: 2 daily/6 possession (Dusky closed); White geese: 10 daily/30 possession.
26GMA 2 Inland Feb. 7-15 segment. NWRs and WDFW Wildlife Areas closed.
27Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays only. Canada geese: 2 daily/6 possession (Dusky closed); White-fronted: 10 daily/30 possession; White geese: 10 daily/30 possession. Ridgefield NWR only.
28Ridgefield NWR specific dates within GMA 2 Inland. Tue/Thu/Sat only.
29Ridgefield NWR, Tue/Thu/Sat only.
30Canada geese: 3 daily/9 possession; White-fronted: 10 daily/30 possession; White geese: 10 daily/30 possession. Dusky Canada goose season closed.
31GMA 3 regular season first split.
32GMA 3 regular season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington1,2,3,4,5,6 | Jan 10 – Jan 25 Pacific County | 2 | 6 |
| Jan 17 – Jan 24 Clallam & Whatcom Counties | |||
| Jan 31 – Jan 31 Youth, Veterans & Active Military - Clallam, Pacific, Whatcom |
1Skagit County status determined by aerial survey results.
2Possession limit = daily bag (2). Skagit County TBD.
3Open dates: Jan. 17, 21, and 24 only.
4Specific open days only: Jan 17, 21, 24. Authorization/reporting required.
5Open dates: Jan. 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 only.
6Specific open days only: Jan 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25. Authorization/reporting required.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington1,2 | Feb 7 – Feb 15 Late Season - Goose Mgmt Area 1 | 10 | 30 |
1White geese only (snow, Ross's, blue phase). Canada and white-fronted goose closed during late season.
2GMA 1 late season, white goose only. See pamphlet for details.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5,6 | Oct 11 – Jan 25 Regular Season | 25 | 75 |
| Oct 17 – Oct 25 First Split | |||
| Oct 22 – Jan 25 Regular Season Split 2 | |||
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Second Split | |||
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth, Veterans & Active Military Coot | |||
| Eastern Washington7,8,9,10 | Sep 27 – Sep 27 E. Washington Youth Day | 25 | 25 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 3 E. Washington Youth Coot | |||
| Western Washington7,8,9,11 | Sep 20 – Sep 20 W. Washington Youth Day | 25 | 25 |
| Sep 26 – Sep 26 W. Washington Youth Coot |
1Regular season first split.
2Youth and Veterans & Active Military.
3Combined Youth, Veterans & Active Military day; Feb. 6
4Split dates: Oct. 11-19 & Oct. 22 - Jan. 25.
5Two-split season like ducks; listed as single row here as source shows one coot row.
6Regular season second split.
7Youth only. Possession = same as daily bag.
8Youth-only day.
9Youth only.
10Youth only day; same as youth duck day E. WA
11Youth only day; same as youth duck day W. WA
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth, Veterans & Active Military Duck | 7 | 7 |
| Eastern Washington3,4,5,6 | Sep 27 – Sep 27 E. Washington Youth Day | 7 | 7 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 3 E. Washington Youth Duck | |||
| Western Washington6,7,8,9,10,11 | Sep 20 – Sep 20 W. Washington Youth Day | 7 | 7 |
| Sep 20 – Sep 20 W. Washington Youth Duck Day | |||
| Sep 26 – Sep 26 W. Washington Youth Duck |
1Youth only (15 and under) and Veterans/Active Military. 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide. Possession same as daily bag.
2Combined Youth, Veterans & Active Military day; Feb. 6. Emitting separate veterans row as well.
3Youth only (hunters 15 and under, accompanied by adult 18+ not hunting). 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide. Possession same as daily bag.
4Youth only day; Oct. 3
5Youth only (hunters 15 & under, accompanied by adult 18+ not hunting). Bag: 7 ducks, not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide. Possession = same as daily bag.
6Youth-only day; possession limit same as daily bag.
7Youth only (hunters 15 & under, accompanied by adult 18+ not hunting). Bag: 7 ducks, not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead; and not more than 3 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, 3 goldeneye in western Washington. Possession = same as daily bag.
8Youth only (hunters 15 and under, accompanied by adult 18+ not hunting). 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide; not more than 3 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, 3 goldeneye in Western WA. Possession same as daily bag.
9Youth only day; Sept. 26
10Youth Only (hunters 15 and under, accompanied by adult 18+). 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide; not more than 3 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, 3 goldeneye in W. Washington.
11Ducks. Youth-only day. Possession limit same as daily bag.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Jan 31 – Jan 31 Youth, Veterans & Active Military (Statewide) | 7 | 7 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth, Veterans & Active Military Duck | |||
| Western Washington5,6,7,8 | Jan 31 – Jan 31 Youth, Veterans & Active Military - GMAs 1 & 3 | 13 | 13 |
| Jan 31 – Jan 31 Youth, Veterans & Active Military - GMA 2 |
1Open to youth (15 & under) and veterans/active military. Bag: 7 ducks per footnote b sub-limits. Possession = same as daily bag.
2Combines youth and veterans/active military; possession = daily bag.
3Veterans (honorably discharged) and Active Military (incl. National Guard/Reserves on active duty). Must carry DD214, Veteran Benefit Card, Retired Active Military I.D., or Active Duty I.D. 7 ducks: not more than 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead statewide. Possession same as daily bag.
4Same date as youth day; Feb. 6.
5Canada geese 3, white-fronted geese 10, white geese 10. Dusky Canada goose season closed.
6Geese only; applies to Goose Mgmt Areas 1 & 3.
7Canada geese 2, white-fronted geese 10, white geese 10. Dusky Canada goose season closed.
8Geese only; applies to Goose Mgmt Area 2.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5 | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 15 | 45 |
| Sep 15 – Sep 23 | |||
| Oct 17 – Oct 25 Snipe First Split | |||
| Oct 28 – Jan 31 Snipe Second Split |
1Mourning Dove.
2Mandatory authorization and harvest reporting required. Reporting deadline: Sept. 30.
3Band-tailed Pigeon; authorization required. Reporting deadline Sept. 30.
4Common Snipe (Wilson); first split.
5Common Snipe (Wilson); second split.
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 July 24, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.