Virginia Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Duck season runs Nov 18-29, 2026. Every listed waterfowl season for Virginia is below, with zones and notes where the agency gives them.
Quick answer
Virginia's 2026-27 duck season runs Nov 18-29, 2026.
Regular Season Tundra Swan (All counties and portions of counties lying east of I-95 and south of the Prince William/Stafford County line in Chopawamsic Creek at Quantico Marine Corps Base) runs Nov 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027.
Regular Season - First Segment Canada Goose (includes White-fronted Geese) (Resident Population (RP) Zone) runs Nov 18-29, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Virginia DWR.
Waterfowl
33 listed rowsAtlantic Brant
Falconry
Hawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Tundra Swan
Regular Season
Permit required. Application deadline September 25, 2026. No more than 475 swan hunting permits issued through special drawing. Permit holders must also possess a valid Virginia hunting license. Permits are non-transferable. Hunters required to complete tundra swan hunt questionnaire and submit results by February 15, 2027. Those who fail to submit results are ineligible for future drawings.
Zone: All counties and portions of counties lying east of I-95 and south of the Prince William/Stafford County line in Chopawamsic Creek at Quantico Marine Corps Base
Canada Goose
Falconry - Second Segment
Hawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose (includes White-fronted Geese)
Regular Season - First Segment
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. All seasons also include White-fronted geese. RP Zone: portion of the state west of the AP Zone boundary.
Zone: Resident Population (RP) Zone
Coots
Regular Season - Second Segment
Non-toxic shot required.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Regular Season - Second Segment
One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Closed season on harlequin ducks. No person may take more than one daily bag limit in any one day. Non-toxic shot required.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Mergansers, Coot
Falconry - Second Segment
Hawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Mergansers
Regular Season - Second Segment
Non-toxic shot required.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose (includes White-fronted Geese)
Regular Season - First Segment
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. All seasons also include White-fronted geese. AP Zone: area east of the Blue Ridge (Loudoun County-Clarke County border) at WV-VA border, south to I-64, then east along I-64 to I-95 in Richmond, then south along I-95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the City of Suffolk, then south to NC border.
Zone: Atlantic Population (AP) Zone
Light Geese
Falconry
Hawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose (Greater and Lesser Snow Geese and Ross's Geese)
Regular Season
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted in areas and at times when other waterfowl seasons are closed.
Zone: Statewide
Atlantic Brant
Regular Season - First Segment
Non-toxic shot required.
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic BrantRegular Season - Second Segment · StatewideNon-toxic shot required. | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseSeptember Canada Goose - First Segment · East of I-95One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells may be used. Season is September 1-25 statewide. September Canada goose hunting not permitted within boundaries of Amelia and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas. Federal migratory duck stamp and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp also required. | Closed | |
| Canada GooseFalconry - First Segment · StatewideHawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Canada GooseSeptember Canada Goose - First Segment · West of I-95One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells may be used. Season is September 1-25 statewide. September Canada goose hunting not permitted within boundaries of Amelia and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas. Federal migratory duck stamp and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp also required. | Closed | |
| Canada GooseSeptember Canada Goose - Second Segment · East of I-95One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells prohibited. September Canada goose hunting not permitted within boundaries of Amelia and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas. Federal migratory duck stamp and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp also required. | Closed | |
| Canada GooseSeptember Canada Goose - Second Segment · West of I-95One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells prohibited. September Canada goose hunting not permitted within boundaries of Amelia and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas. Federal migratory duck stamp and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp also required. | Closed | |
| Canada GooseFalconry - Third Segment · StatewideHawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. | Upcoming | |
| Canada Goose (includes White-fronted Geese)Regular Season - Second Segment · Resident Population (RP) ZoneOne-half hour before sunrise to sunset. All seasons also include White-fronted geese. RP Zone: portion of the state west of the AP Zone boundary. | Upcoming | |
| Canada Goose (includes White-fronted Geese)Regular Season - Second Segment · Atlantic Population (AP) ZoneOne-half hour before sunrise to sunset. All seasons also include White-fronted geese. AP Zone: area east of the Blue Ridge (Loudoun County-Clarke County border) at WV-VA border, south to I-64, then east along I-64 to I-95 in Richmond, then south along I-95 to Route 460 in Petersburg, then southeast along Route 460 to Route 32 in the City of Suffolk, then south to NC border. | Upcoming | |
| CootsRegular Season - First Segment · StatewideNon-toxic shot required. | Closed | |
| CootsRegular Season - Third Segment · StatewideNon-toxic shot required. | Upcoming | |
| DucksRegular Season - First Segment · StatewideOne-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Black duck closed Oct. 9-12. Closed season on harlequin ducks. No person may take more than one daily bag limit in any one day. Non-toxic shot required. | Closed | |
| DucksRegular Season - Third Segment · StatewideOne-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Closed season on harlequin ducks. No person may take more than one daily bag limit in any one day. Non-toxic shot required. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, CootFalconry - First Segment · StatewideHawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots (Youth & Veterans)Youth and Veterans Waterfowl Hunting Day · StatewideOpen to Youth 15 years of age and under, Military Veterans, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Resident youth aged 12-15, nonresident youth age 15 or under, and Veterans need a valid Virginia hunting license unless license exempt. All hunters must be Virginia HIP registered. All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult at least 18 years of age or older. The accompanying adult cannot hunt ducks (unless they are a Veteran). | Closed | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots (Youth & Veterans)Youth and Veterans Waterfowl Hunting Day · StatewideOpen to Youth 15 years of age and under, Military Veterans, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Resident youth aged 12-15, nonresident youth age 15 or under, and Veterans need a valid Virginia hunting license unless license exempt. All hunters must be Virginia HIP registered. All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult at least 18 years of age or older. The accompanying adult cannot hunt ducks (unless they are a Veteran). | Upcoming | |
| MergansersRegular Season - First Segment · StatewideNon-toxic shot required. | Closed | |
| MergansersRegular Season - Third Segment · StatewideNon-toxic shot required. | Upcoming | |
| Teal (Blue-winged and Green-winged)September Teal · East of I-95One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Federal migratory duck stamp and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp also required. Hunters reminded to positively identify ducks before shooting as other species such as wood ducks may be in the area. | Closed | |
| Teal (Blue-winged and Green-winged)September Teal · West of I-95One-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Federal migratory duck stamp and Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp also required. Hunters reminded to positively identify ducks before shooting as other species such as wood ducks may be in the area. | Closed | |
| Teal (September Teal)Falconry · StatewideHawking hours: half-hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed |
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Virginia Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Virginia?
Duck season runs Nov 18-29, 2026. The earliest listed waterfowl season of any kind is september canada goose - first segment canada goose, opening September 1, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Virginia DWR.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Virginia?
Virginia lists 33 waterfowl season windows: Falconry Atlantic Brant (Oct 18, 2026-Jan 31, 2027); Regular Season - First Segment Atlantic Brant (Dec 19-31, 2026); Regular Season - Second Segment Atlantic Brant (Jan 15-31, 2027); September Canada Goose - First Segment Canada Goose (Sep 1-18, 2026); Falconry - First Segment Canada Goose (Sep 1-25, 2026); September Canada Goose - First Segment Canada Goose (Sep 1-21, 2026); September Canada Goose - Second Segment Canada Goose (Sep 19-25, 2026); September Canada Goose - Second Segment Canada Goose (Sep 22-25, 2026); and more. Always verify against Virginia DWR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Virginia?
Yes — Virginia lists separate waterfowl seasons for Falconry Atlantic Brant, Regular Season - First Segment Atlantic Brant, Regular Season - Second Segment Atlantic Brant, September Canada Goose - First Segment Canada Goose, Falconry - First Segment Canada Goose, September Canada Goose - Second Segment Canada Goose. 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.