Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Season proposals.
Review the draft proposal below and submit comments by March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration via conference call on April 9, 2026.
Since 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed liberal (107 days) duck seasons in the Pacific Flyway. Those 107 days can only occur between September 26, 2026, and January 31, 2027.
Idaho sets waterfowl seasons by zones. These zones balance hunting seasons with biological opportunity, environmental conditions, and social desires. The number of zones a state can have is set within the Federal Framework. Currently, Idaho has four duck zones. Results from the 2025 duck hunter opinion survey were used to inform these season structure proposals and duck zone boundaries.
Most recently, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has adopted 105-day seasons and a 2-day youth/military hunt.
The proposed season structure for ducks (including mergansers), snipe and coots:
(Please reference zone map below)
Zone 1: October 3, 2026 – January 15, 2027; Scaup: October 3, 2026 – December 27, 2026
Zone 2: October 10, 2026 – January 22, 2027; Scaup: October 29, 2026 – January 22, 2027
Zone 3: October 19, 2026 – January 31, 2027; Scaup: November 7, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Zone 4: October 3, 2026 – January 15, 2027; Scaup: October 3, 2026 – December 27, 2026
Proposed daily bag limit would be 7 ducks and mergansers in aggregate; no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redhead, 2 scaup, 3 pintail or 2 canvasback; 8 Wilson’s snipe; 25 coots.
Youth/Veteran Waterfowl Season:
Proposed season structure:
Statewide: September 26-27, 2026
Proposed daily and possession limits are the same as during the regular season.
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Season proposals.
Review the draft proposal below and submit comments by March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration via conference call on April 9, 2026.
Since 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed liberal (107 days) duck seasons in the Pacific Flyway. Those 107 days can only occur between September 26, 2026, and January 31, 2027.
Idaho sets waterfowl seasons by zones. These zones balance hunting seasons with biological opportunity, environmental conditions, and social desires. The number of zones a state can have is set within the Federal Framework. Currently, Idaho has four duck zones. Results from the 2025 duck hunter opinion survey were used to inform these season structure proposals and duck zone boundaries.
Most recently, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has adopted 105-day seasons and a 2-day youth/military hunt.
The proposed season structure for ducks (including mergansers), snipe and coots:
(Please reference zone map below)
Proposed daily bag limit would be 7 ducks and mergansers in aggregate; no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redhead, 2 scaup, 3 pintail or 2 canvasback; 8 Wilson’s snipe; 25 coots.
Youth/Veteran Waterfowl Season:
Proposed season structure:
Proposed daily and possession limits are the same as during the regular season.