Alaska Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Duck season opens between September 1, 2026 and October 8, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 22, 2027. Every listed waterfowl season for Alaska is below, with zones and notes where the agency gives them.
Quick answer
Alaska's 2026-27 duck season opens between September 1, 2026 and October 8, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 22, 2027.
Regular Brant (Southeast Units 1-4) runs Sep 1-Oct 21, 2026.
Regular Brant (Northern Units 11-13, 17-26) runs Sep 1-Oct 21, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Alaska ADF&G.
Waterfowl
50 listed rowsBrant
Regular
Zone: Southeast Units 1-4
Brant
Regular
Zone: Northern Units 11-13, 17-26
Brant
Regular
Zone: Gulf Coast Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16
Brant
Regular
Zone: Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)
Brant
Regular
Zone: Kodiak Unit 8
Canada Geese
Regular
Units 5 and 6: season for Canada geese is Sept. 28-Dec. 16. Unit 6(D) Middleton Island: by registration permit only, 1 goose per permit. In Unit 9: limits are 3 per day, 9 in possession.
Zone: Gulf Coast Units 6-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16
Canada Geese
Regular
Zone: Northern Units 17 and 18
Canada Geese
Regular
In Units 17 and 18: limits are 3 per day, 9 in possession.
Zone: Northern Units 11-13, 19, 20-26
Canada Geese
Regular
Season closed Dec. 1-15.
Zone: Southeast Units 1-4
Canada Geese
Regular
Units 5 and 6: season for Canada geese is Sept. 28-Dec. 16. Unit 6(D) Middleton Island: by registration permit only, 1 goose per permit.
Zone: Gulf Coast Units 5 and 6
Canada Geese
Registration Permit
Registration permit required. Available at ADF&G office in Cordova and Anchorage. Possession limit is 1 goose per permit; 1 permit per hunter.
Zone: Unit 6(D) Middleton Island
Canada Geese
Regular
Zone: Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada GeeseRegular · Kodiak Unit 8 | Open | |
| Canada GeeseRegular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks (general)Regular · Northern Units 11-13, 17-26No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | Open | |
| Ducks (general)Regular · Gulf Coast Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | Open | |
| Ducks (general)Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | Open | |
| Ducks (general)Regular · Kodiak Unit 8No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | Open | |
| Ducks (general)Regular · Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | Open | |
| Ducks (general)Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. No more than 2 canvasback per day, 6 in possession. | Upcoming | |
| Sea Ducks (Nonresidents)Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. Nonresidents may not take or possess more than 20 sea ducks per season, including no more than 4 each of any sea duck species. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Nonresidents)Regular · Northern Units 11-13, 17-26Nonresidents may not take or possess more than 20 sea ducks per season, including no more than 4 each of any sea duck species. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Nonresidents)Regular · Gulf Coast Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16Nonresidents may not take or possess more than 20 sea ducks per season, including no more than 4 each of any sea duck species. Unit 15C nonresidents may not take or possess more than 4 each of any scoter or merganser species. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Nonresidents)Regular · Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)Nonresidents may not take or possess more than 20 sea ducks per season, including no more than 4 each of any sea duck species. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Nonresidents)Regular · Kodiak Unit 8Nonresidents may not take or possess more than 10 sea ducks per season, including no more than 2 each of any sea duck species. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Nonresidents)Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. Nonresidents may not take or possess more than 20 sea ducks per season, including no more than 4 each of any sea duck species. | Upcoming | |
| Sea Ducks (Residents)Regular · Gulf Coast Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16Steller's and spectacled eiders closed statewide. Residents: no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of harlequin ducks and no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of long-tailed ducks. Units 7 and 15: no more than 1 per day, 2 in possession of long-tailed ducks. Unit 15C (Kachemak Bay east portion): no more than 2 per day, 4 in possession of harlequin, and no more than 1 per day, 2 in possession of eiders. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Residents)Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. Steller's and spectacled eiders closed statewide. Residents: no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of harlequin ducks and no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of long-tailed ducks. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Residents)Regular · Northern Units 11-13, 17-26Steller's and spectacled eiders closed statewide. Residents: no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of harlequin ducks and no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of long-tailed ducks. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Residents)Regular · Kodiak Unit 8Steller's and spectacled eiders closed statewide. Residents: no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of harlequin ducks and no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of long-tailed ducks. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Residents)Regular · Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.)Steller's and spectacled eiders closed statewide. Residents: no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of harlequin ducks and no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of long-tailed ducks. | Open | |
| Sea Ducks (Residents)Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. Steller's and spectacled eiders closed statewide. Residents: no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of harlequin ducks and no more than 6 per day, 12 in possession of long-tailed ducks. | Upcoming | |
| Tundra SwansRegistration Permit · Unit 18Registration permit RT518 required. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or at ADF&G offices beginning July 2. One permit per hunter per season. | Open | |
| Tundra SwansRegistration Permit · Unit 23Registration permit RT523 required. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or at ADF&G offices beginning July 2. One permit per hunter per season. | Open | |
| Tundra SwansRegistration Permit · Unit 22Registration permit RT522 required. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or at ADF&G offices beginning July 2. One permit per hunter per season. | Open | |
| Tundra SwansRegistration Permit · Unit 17Registration permit RT417 required. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or at ADF&G offices beginning July 2. One permit per hunter per season. | Open | |
| White Geese (Snow and Ross')Regular · Northern Units 11-13, 17-26 | Open | |
| White Geese (Snow and Ross')Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. | Open | |
| White Geese (Snow and Ross')Regular · Gulf Coast Units 5-7, 9, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16 | Open | |
| White Geese (Snow and Ross')Regular · Kodiak Unit 8 | Open | |
| White Geese (Snow and Ross')Regular · Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.) | Open | |
| White Geese (Snow and Ross')Regular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Gulf Coast Units 5-7, 10 (Unimak Is. only), 14-16In Unit 9 and Unimak Island portion of Unit 10: limits are 6 per day, 18 in possession. | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Northern Units 17 and 18Unit 18 bag and possession limits reduced to 6 per day, 18 in possession per regulation changes. | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Northern Units 11-13, 19-26In Units 17 and 18: limits are 6 per day, 18 in possession. | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Gulf Coast Unit 9 and Unimak Island portion of Unit 10 | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Kodiak Unit 8 | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Pribilof/Aleutian Unit 10 (except Unimak Is.) | Open | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular · Southeast Units 1-4Season closed Dec. 1-15. | Upcoming |
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Alaska Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Alaska?
Duck season opens between September 1, 2026 and October 8, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 22, 2027. Confirm zone and permit details with Alaska ADF&G.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Alaska?
Alaska lists 50 waterfowl season windows: Regular Brant (Sep 1-Oct 21, 2026); Regular Brant (Sep 1-Oct 21, 2026); Regular Brant (Oct 1-Nov 20, 2026); Regular Brant (Oct 8-Nov 27, 2026); Regular Brant (Oct 8-Nov 27, 2026); Regular Canada Geese (Sep 1-Dec 16, 2026); Regular Canada Geese (Sep 1-Dec 16, 2026); Regular Canada Geese (Sep 1-Dec 16, 2026); and more. Always verify against Alaska ADF&G before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Alaska?
Yes — Alaska lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Brant, Regular Canada Geese, Registration Permit Canada Geese, Regular Ducks (general), Regular Sea Ducks (Nonresidents), Regular Sea Ducks (Residents). Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Alaska ADF&G.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Alaska ADF&G.