Pennsylvania offers unmatched waterfowl and migratory game bird hunting. With careful regulations, the diversified landscapes provide fascinating duck, goose, and other migratory bird hunting. Hunters may enjoy the state’s natural splendor while practicing sustainable hunting in marshes and lakes.
Below are the latest dates for the PA migratory game birds and Waterfowl hunting season:
Ducks
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | North Zone | Oct 7-21 | 6 daily, 18 possession |
| North Zone | Nov 14-Jan 6, 2024 | ||
| South Zone | Oct 7-14 | 6 daily, 18 possession | |
| South Zone | Nov 21-Jan 20, 2024 | 6 daily, 18 possession | |
| Northwest Zone | Oct 7-Dec 2 | 6 daily, 18 possession | |
| Northwest Zone | Dec 26-Jan 7, 2024 | 6 daily, 18 possession | |
| Lake Erie Zone | Nov 6-Jan 13, 2024 | 6 daily, 18 possession | |
| Harlequin Ducks | N/A | No Open Season | N/A |
| Tundra Swans | N/A | No Open Season | N/A |
| Trumpeter Swans | N/A | No Open Season | N/A |
Scaup
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaup | North Zone | Oct. 7-21, Nov. 14-Dec. 14 | 1 or 2 daily |
| North Zone | Dec. 15-Jan.6, 2024 | 1 or 2 daily | |
| South Zone | Oct. 7-14, Nov. 21-Dec. 28 | 1 or 2 daily | |
| South Zone | Dec. 29-Jan. 20, 2024 | 1 or 2 daily | |
| Northwest Zone | Oct. 7-Nov. 22 | 1 or 2 daily | |
| Northwest Zone | Nov. 23-Dec. 2 | 1 or 2 daily | |
| Northwest Zone | Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 2024 | 1 or 2 daily | |
| Lake Erie Zone | Nov. 6- Nov. 28; Nov. 29-Jan. 13, 2024 | 1 or 2 daily |
Mergansers
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mergansers | North, South, NW Zone | Oct 7-21 | 5 daily, 15 possession |
| North, South, NW Zone | Nov 14-Jan 6, 2024 | 5 daily, 15 possession |
Coots
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coots | North, South, NW Zone | Oct 7-21 | 15 daily, 45 possession |
| North, South, NW Zone | Nov 14-Jan 6, 2024 | 15 daily, 45 possession |
Geese Season
Canada Geese
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Geese | RP Zone | Sept 1-25 | 8 or 5 daily, varies by segment |
| RP Zone | Oct 28-Nov 24 | 8 or 5 daily, varies by segment | |
| RP Zone | Dec 11-Jan 20 | 8 or 5 daily, varies by segment | |
| RP Zone | Feb 2-Feb 24, 2024 | 8 or 5 daily, varies by segment | |
| AP Zone | Sept 1-25 | 8 or 3 daily, varies by segment | |
| AP Zone | Nov 18-24 | 8 or 3 daily, varies by segment | |
| AP Zone | Dec 7-Jan 20, 2024 | 8 or 3 daily, varies by segment |
Light Geese
| Light Geese Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese | AP Zone | Oct. 2-Jan. 27 | 25 daily, no possession limit |
| AP Zone | Jan. 29 – April 26, 2024 | 25 daily, no possession limit | |
| RP Zone | Oct. 24-Feb. 24 | 25 daily, no possession limit | |
| RP Zone | Feb. 26 – April 26, 2024 | 25 daily, no possession limit |
Brant
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brant | All Zones | Oct 14-Nov 17 | 1 daily, 3 possession |
Dove
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doves | Statewide | Sept 1-Nov 24 | 15 daily, 45 possession |
| Statewide | Dec 19-Jan 6, 2024 | 15 daily, 45 possession |
Woodcock
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Statewide | Oct 14-Nov 24 | 3 daily, 9 possession |
| Statewide | Dec 11-20 | 3 daily, 9 possession |
Gallinules
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallinules | Statewide | Sept 1-Nov 21 | 3 daily, 9 possession |
Snipe
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Snipe | Statewide | Oct 14-Nov 24, and Dec 11-20 | 8 daily, 24 possession |
Rails
| Species | Zone | Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia and Sora Rails | Statewide | Sept 1-Nov 21 | 3 daily, 9 possession |
| Clapper and King Rails | No Open Season | N/A | N/A |
PA Hunting Regulations for Migratory Birds
License Requirements
- Either a mentored permit or a normal hunting license is needed.
- A federal duck stamp that is carried and signed across the face is required for hunters who are 16 years of age and above.
- Pennsylvania residents may acquire the Electronic Duck Stamp (E-Stamp) by visiting “HuntFishPA.”
- Hunting some bird species requires a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License.
Guided Hunting
- For permitted species, migratory game bird permits may be obtained by mentored hunters.
- Licenses may be obtained online at https://huntfish.pa.gov or via license issuing agencies.
Light Geese Conservation Season
- A conservation season permit must be obtained, and hunters are required to submit a report detailing their hunting activities and harvest.
- You may get more information by contacting 717-787-4250 or visiting www.pgc.pa.gov.
Weapons and Ammunition
- Firearms permitted are 10-gauge manual and semiautomatic shotguns with a maximum shell capacity of three.
- Waterfowl may be shot with bows and arrows, crossbows, and only non-toxic fine shot up to size T (.20 inches).
- It is illegal to use lead shot for waterfowl hunting.
Fluorescent Orange
- Not necessary for hunters of doves and ducks.
Restrictions on Migratory Game Birds
- Shotguns with more than three rounds in them need to be plugged.
- Hunting from sink boxes, motorized land vehicles, motorboats, airplanes, and sailboats in motion are all forbidden.
- Baiting, using electronic bird call imitations, and using live decoys are prohibited.
- After the bait is removed, the baited sites are off-limits for 30 days.
Decoys
- You may use electronic decoys to trick crows, doves, and ducks.
Hunting Parties
- Hunters of waterfowl and doves may hunt in groups larger than six provided they are positioned immobile or in a blind.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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