Virginia Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Virginia waterfowl season dates start with Oct 9-12, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Virginia's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Oct 9-12, 2026.
Regular Season Ducks opens Oct 9, 2026 and closes Oct 12, 2026.
Regular Season Mergansers opens Oct 9, 2026 and closes Oct 12, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Virginia DWR.
Waterfowl
21 listed rowsCoots
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Regular Season
Black duck closed Oct 9-12. One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Harlequin ducks closed.
Zone: Statewide
Mergansers
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Tundra Swan
Regular Season
Permit required via special drawing; deadline September 25, 2026. No more than 475 permits issued. Hunters must complete tundra swan hunt questionnaire by February 15, 2027.
Zone: East of I-95 and south of Prince William/Stafford County line
Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese)
Regular Season
Includes White-fronted geese. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Resident Population (RP) Zone
Coots
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Harlequin ducks closed.
Zone: Statewide
Mergansers
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese)
Regular Season
Includes White-fronted geese. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Atlantic Population (AP) Zone
Light Goose (Greater/Lesser Snow Geese and Ross's Geese)
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted when other waterfowl seasons are closed.
Zone: Statewide
Atlantic Brant
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese)
Regular Season
Includes White-fronted geese. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Resident Population (RP) Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic BrantRegular Season · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseSeptember Early Season · StatewideEast of I-95: Sep 1-18 half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset, shotguns holding more than 3 shells allowed; Sep 19-25 half-hour before sunrise to sunset, shotguns >3 shells prohibited. West of I-95: Sep 1-21 extended hours; Sep 22-25 standard hours. Not permitted in Amelia and Dick Cross WMAs. Requires HIP, federal duck stamp, and VA Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp. | Closed | |
| Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese)Regular Season · Atlantic Population (AP) ZoneIncludes White-fronted geese. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. | Upcoming | |
| CootsRegular Season · StatewideOne-half hour before sunrise until sunset. | Upcoming | |
| DucksRegular Season · StatewideScaup: 1/day Oct 9-12, Nov 18-29, Dec 19-Jan 11; 2/day Jan 12-31. One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Harlequin ducks closed. | Upcoming | |
| Light Goose (Greater/Lesser Snow Geese and Ross's Geese)Conservation Order · Conservation Order Zone (AP Zone)Offering of 2027 Light Goose Conservation Season determined in September 2026. Special methods allowed: electronic calls, unplugged shotguns, extended shooting hours (half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset). Registration required; begins December 4, 2026. | dates not listed | Closed |
| MergansersRegular Season · StatewideOne-half hour before sunrise until sunset. | Upcoming | |
| September TealEarly Teal · East of I-95Requires HIP registration, federal duck stamp, and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp. One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. | Closed | |
| September TealEarly Teal · West of I-95Requires HIP registration, federal duck stamp, and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp. One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. | Closed |
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Virginia Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Virginia?
September 1, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Virginia — september early season canada goose runs Sep 1-25, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Virginia DWR.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Virginia?
Virginia lists 20 waterfowl season windows: Regular Season Atlantic Brant (Dec 19-31, 2026); Regular Season Atlantic Brant (Jan 15-31, 2027); September Early Season Canada Goose (Sep 1-25, 2026); Regular Season Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese) (Nov 18-29, 2026); Regular Season Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese) (Nov 24-29, 2026); Regular Season Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese) (Dec 19, 2026-Feb 21, 2027); Regular Season Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese) (Dec 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027); Regular Season Coots (Oct 9-12, 2026); and more. Always verify against Virginia DWR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Virginia?
Yes — Virginia lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Season Atlantic Brant, September Early Season Canada Goose, Regular Season Canada Goose (including White-fronted Geese), Regular Season Coots, Regular Season Ducks, Regular Season Light Goose (Greater/Lesser Snow Geese and Ross's Geese). Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Virginia DWR.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Virginia DWR.