Montana Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Montana waterfowl season dates start with Sep 23, 2026-Jan 7, 2027. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Montana's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Oct 3-Dec 27, 2026.
Falconry Ducks and Coots (Falconry) opens Sep 23, 2026 and closes Jan 7, 2027.
Falconry (split) Ducks and Coots (Falconry) opens Sep 23, 2026 and closes Jan 19, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Montana FWP.
Waterfowl
24 listed rowsCoots
General
See Pacific Flyway exceptions.
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Coots
General (split)
Split season: Oct. 3 - Oct. 11 open, then closed, then Oct. 24 - Jan. 19 open. Dates shown are earliest open and latest close.
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
Coots
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General (split)
Split season: Oct. 3 - Oct. 11 open, then closed, then Oct. 24 - Jan. 19 open. During first 9 days (Oct. 3-11) bag may include 2 additional blue-winged teal. Dates shown are earliest open and latest close.
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Scaup season closes Dec. 27. Possession limit three times daily bag limit. Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3-9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon; Oct. 10 onward regular hours. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs in Cascade County closed.
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
During first 9 days (Oct. 3-11) bag may include 2 additional blue-winged teal. Possession limit three times daily bag limit.
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Ducks and Coots (Falconry)
Falconry
Includes extended falconry season.
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Ducks and Coots (Falconry)
Falconry (split)
Split season: Sept. 23 - Oct. 11, then Oct. 24 - Jan. 19. Dates shown are earliest open and latest close. Includes extended falconry season.
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
Ducks, Coots, Geese (Falconry)
Falconry
For all permitted migratory birds, singly or in aggregate during regular hunting season.
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Geese
General
Possession limit three times daily bag limit. See Pacific Flyway exceptions.
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Geese
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Geese
General (split)
Split season: Oct. 3 - Oct. 11 open, then closed, then Oct. 24 - Jan. 27 open. Dates shown are earliest open and latest close.
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CootsSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 2Youth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| CootsSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 1Youth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| CootsSpecial Youth Season · Pacific FlywayYouth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)Special Youth Season · Statewide - Pacific FlywayYouth ages 15 and under only. Canyon Ferry exception: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)Special Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 1Youth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)Special Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 2Youth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)General (late) · Pacific FlywayScaup season closed after Dec. 27. | Upcoming | |
| GeeseSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 2Youth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| GeeseSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 1Youth ages 15 and under only. | Closed | |
| GeeseSpecial Youth Season · Pacific FlywayYouth ages 15 and under only. Possession limit three times daily bag limit. | Closed | |
| Geese (Falconry)Falconry · Central Flyway - Zone 1Includes extended falconry season. | Open | |
| Geese (Falconry)Falconry (split) · Central Flyway - Zone 2Split season: Oct. 3 - Oct. 11, then Oct. 24 - Jan. 27. Dates shown are earliest open and latest close. Includes extended falconry season. | Open |
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Montana Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Montana?
September 23, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Montana — falconry ducks and coots (falconry) runs Sep 23, 2026-Jan 7, 2027. Confirm zone and permit details with Montana FWP.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Montana?
Montana lists 24 waterfowl season windows: Special Youth Season Coots (Sep 26-27, 2026); Special Youth Season Coots (Sep 26-27, 2026); Special Youth Season Coots (Sep 26-27, 2026); General Coots (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 15, 2027); General (split) Coots (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 19, 2027); General Coots (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 7, 2027); Special Youth Season Ducks (including Mergansers) (Sep 26-27, 2026); Special Youth Season Ducks (including Mergansers) (Sep 26-27, 2026); and more. Always verify against Montana FWP before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Montana?
Yes — Montana lists separate waterfowl seasons for Special Youth Season Coots, General Coots, General (split) Coots, Special Youth Season Ducks (including Mergansers), General (split) Ducks (including Mergansers), General Ducks (including Mergansers). Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Montana FWP.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Montana?
Yes. Montana generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Montana FWP.