Goose

Species Description

Canada Goose
Canada geese are recognizable by their brownish bodies, black necks and heads, and a distinctive broad white patch that runs beneath their heads from ear to ear.

Snow Goose
Snow geese have two color forms: white and blue. The “blue goose” was once considered a separate species. Both forms share the distinctive feature of a black “lipstick” streak along the edge of the bill.

Topic Category
Hunting / Fishing Guide
Seasons
Regulations
Biological Information
Title
Seasons
Season Dates Hours Limits/Notes
Light Goose Conservation Order -

-

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

None

Hunting is limited to snow geese, blue geese, and Ross's geese.

Early Canada Goose and Brant: Hunting -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 9

Daily and possession limits are brant and Canada geese combined.

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: Middle Zone -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup:
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
Pintails: 3

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: 20 daily limit, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.

Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in youth waterfowl hunting days without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and have in his or her possession proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days.

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: North Zone -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup:
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
Pintails: 3

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: 20 daily limit,  no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone.

Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in youth waterfowl hunting days without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and have in his or her possession proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days.

Ducks and Coots Hunting: Middle Zone -

-

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 3

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.

Goose (Canada, Brant, White-Fronted, Snow, Ross's): Hunting -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Canada geese and brant 

Daily limit: 3
Possession limit:

Combined total of both species

White-fronted geese

Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 6

Light geese

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: none

Combined snow, blue, and Ross's geese.

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: South Zone -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup:
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
Pintails: 3

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: 20 daily limit, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone.

Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in youth waterfowl hunting days without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and have in his or her possession proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days.