Waterfowl, doves, rail & snipe

Last checked 2026-10-23 · Season tables are taken from WGFD regulation text (original text under each card); links open the official PDFs. WGFD is the authority.

Season dates shown are the ones WGFD has published (see each excerpt’s title for the season year). Dates for later seasons are not yet published; check WGFD before planning.

Waterfowl zone map

Show public access (Walk-In, Hunter Management, WHMA, Public Access Areas)

Source: WGFD MigratoryGamebirdHuntAreas GIS layer (5 features; WGFD describes it as 2013 boundaries; WGFD last edit 2021-11-29), downloaded 2026-10-23, simplified for the web. Overview only — not legal boundaries; the written descriptions in the regulation govern.

Click an area to zoom in. Base map: OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Stamps and HIP permit

(b) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). A federal duck stamp is required for persons sixteen (16) years of age and older to hunt ducks, geese and mergansers. A federal duck stamp is not required to hunt coots, sandhill cranes, crows, mourning doves, rail or snipe. Federal duck stamps shall be signed in ink across the face of the stamp and shall be in possession of the hunter while in the field. Hunters possessing an electronic federal duck stamp are exempted from this signature provision during the time their electronic federal duck stamp is valid.

(c) HIP Permit. Each licensed hunter who hunts migratory game birds shall complete a current Wyoming validation for the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) and shall obtain a Wyoming HIP permit. This requirement also applies to holders of pioneer and lifetime hunting licenses. Each licensed hunter engaged in the act of hunting doves, ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, rails, cranes or snipe shall be in possession of a Wyoming HIP permit and shall immediately produce said permit upon request from any authorized Department representative. HIP permits shall be signed in ink across the face of the permit and shall be in possession of the hunter while in the field. HIP permits expire on June 30 each year. HIP permits are not transferrable to other states. A separate HIP permit is required from each state in which you hunt. Wyoming HIP permits shall be available only on the Department website. Youths under 14 are not required to obtain a HIP permit if they do not hold a valid game bird license.

Original WGFD text

(b) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). A
federal duck stamp is required for persons sixteen (16) years of age and older to hunt ducks,
geese and mergansers. A federal duck stamp is not required to hunt coots, sandhill cranes,
crows, mourning doves, rail or snipe. Federal duck stamps shall be signed in ink across the face
of the stamp and shall be in possession of the hunter while in the field. Hunters possessing an
electronic federal duck stamp are exempted from this signature provision during the time their
electronic federal duck stamp is valid.

(c) HIP Permit. Each licensed hunter who hunts migratory game birds shall complete
a current Wyoming validation for the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program
(HIP) and shall obtain a Wyoming HIP permit. This requirement also applies to holders of
pioneer and lifetime hunting licenses. Each licensed hunter engaged in the act of hunting doves,
ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, rails, cranes or snipe shall be in possession of a Wyoming HIP
permit and shall immediately produce said permit upon request from any authorized Department
representative. HIP permits shall be signed in ink across the face of the permit and shall be in
possession of the hunter while in the field. HIP permits expire on June 30 each year. HIP
permits are not transferrable to other states. A separate HIP permit is required from each state in
which you hunt. Wyoming HIP permits shall be available only on the Department website.
Youths under 14 are not required to obtain a HIP permit if they do not hold a valid game bird
license.

From WGFD Chapter 14 — Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons and Light Goose Conservation Order (dated April 22, 2026), checked 2026-10-23. Hunt-area boundaries and closed areas are in the full regulation.

Mourning dove, rail and snipe

Mourning Dove, Rail And Snipe - Statewide

Species	Opens	Closes	Closed areas (Section 3 subsections)	Daily bag	Possession
Mourning Dove	Sep. 1	Nov. 29	b, d, e a – after Nov. 13 c – after Nov. 14	15	45
Sora and Virginia Rail	Sep. 1	Nov. 9	b, d, e	25	75
Snipe	Sep. 1	Dec. 16	b, d, e a – after Nov. 13 c – after Nov. 14	8	24

Original WGFD text

(g)     Mourning Dove, Rail and Snipe Hunting Seasons.

 MOURNING DOVE, RAIL AND SNIPE - STATEWIDE
                         Season Dates   Closed Areas                               Bag Limit
                                           Section 3
          Species       Opens Closes     Subsections                        Daily        Possession
 Mourning Dove          Sep. 1 Nov. 29       b, d, e                         15              45
                                       a – after Nov. 13
                                       c – after Nov. 14
 Sora and Virginia Rail Sep. 1  Nov. 9       b, d, e                          25               75
 Snipe                  Sep. 1 Dec. 16       b, d, e                           8               24
                                       a – after Nov. 13
                                       c – after Nov. 14

Ducks, geese, coots (Pacific and Central Flyway)

(i) Pacific Flyway

Pacific Flyway

Species	Opens	Closes	Closed areas (Section 3 subsections)	Daily bag	Possession
Ducks and Mergansers	Sep. 26	Jan. 8	d, e f - through Oct. 8	7*	21*
Coots	Sep. 26	Jan. 8	d, e f - through Oct. 8	15	45
Early Canada Goose	Sep. 1	Sep. 8	d, e f - through Oct. 8	5	15
Dark Geese	Sep. 26	Dec. 31	d, e f - through Oct. 8	5	15
Light Geese	Sep. 26	Dec. 31	d, e f - through Oct. 8	10	30

* The daily bag limit of seven (7) ducks and mergansers may include any combination of species with the following restrictions:

 no more than two (2) hen mallards;  no more than three (3) pintail;  no more than two (2) canvasbacks;  no more than two (2) redheads; and,  no more than two (2) scaup. No scaup shall be taken after December 20.

(ii) Central Flyway Zones. The Central Flyway is divided into three (3) zones. Refer to the season dates for the zone in which you are hunting.

(A) ZONE C1 shall include Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park and Washakie counties, and Fremont County excluding those portions south or west of the Continental Divide.

(B) ZONE C1A shall include Goshen and Platte counties.

(C) ZONE C2 shall include Albany, Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan and Weston counties; and that portion of Carbon County east of the Continental Divide.

(iii) Central Flyway

Central Flyway

Species	Opens	Closes	Closed areas (Section 3 subsections)	Daily bag	Possession
Light Geese	Oct. 3	Dec. 30	b a - after Nov. 13 c - after Nov. 14	20	60
Light Geese	Jan. 30	Feb. 14	a, b, c	20	60

Central Flyway - Zone C1

Species	Opens	Closes	Closed areas (Section 3 subsections)	Daily bag	Possession
Ducks and Mergansers	Oct. 3	Oct. 20	—	6**	18**
Ducks and Mergansers	Nov. 14	Jan. 31	c - after Nov. 14	6**	18**
Coots	Oct. 3	Oct. 20	—	15	45
Coots	Nov. 14	Jan. 31	c - after Nov. 14	15	45
Dark Geese	Oct. 3	Oct. 20	—	5	15
Dark Geese	Nov. 20	Feb. 14	c	5	15

Central Flyway – Zone C1A

Species	Opens	Closes	Closed areas (Section 3 subsections)	Daily bag	Possession
Ducks and Mergansers	Oct. 3	Oct. 20	b	6**	18**
Ducks and Mergansers	Nov. 14	Jan. 31	b a - after Nov. 13	6**	18**
Coots	Oct. 3	Oct. 20	b	15	45
Coots	Nov. 14	Jan. 31	b a - after Nov. 13	15	45
Dark Geese*	Oct. 3	Oct. 14	b	2	6
Dark Geese*	Nov. 14	Feb. 14	a, b	5	15

Central Flyway - Zone C2

Species	Opens	Closes	Closed areas (Section 3 subsections)	Daily bag	Possession
Ducks and Mergansers	Sep. 26	Nov. 29	—	6**	18**
Ducks and Mergansers	Dec. 12	Jan. 12	—	6**	18**
Coots	Sep. 26	Nov. 29	—	15	45
Coots	Dec. 12	Jan. 12	—	15	45
Early Canada Goose	Sep. 1	Sep. 8	—	5	15
Dark Geese	Sep. 26	Nov. 29	—	5	15
Dark Geese	Dec. 12	Jan. 12	—	5	15

*For Bump-Sullivan Managed Goose Hunt information, see Section 6. **The daily bag limit of six (6) ducks and mergansers may include any combination of species with the following restrictions:  no more than five (5) mallards of which not more than two (2) shall be hens;  no more than three (3) pintail;  no more than three (3) wood ducks;  no more than two (2) canvasbacks;  no more than two (2) redheads; and,  no more than one (1) scaup.  two (2) blue-winged teal may be taken in addition to the regular limit of six (6) ducks during the following dates: - Zone C1 and C1A: October 3– October 11 - Zone C2: September 26– October 4

Original WGFD text

(i)    Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

                (i)    Pacific Flyway

 PACIFIC FLYWAY
                                  Season Dates          Closed Areas               Bag Limit
                                                           Section 3
         Species               Opens        Closes       Subsections         Daily     Possession
 Ducks and Mergansers          Sep. 26      Jan. 8            d, e            7*          21*
                                                      f - through Oct. 8
 Coots                         Sep. 26      Jan. 8            d, e            15             45
                                                      f - through Oct. 8
 Early Canada Goose            Sep. 1       Sep. 8            d, e             5             15
                                                      f - through Oct. 8
 Dark Geese                    Sep. 26    Dec. 31             d, e             5             15
                                                      f - through Oct. 8

 Light Geese                   Sep. 26    Dec. 31             d, e           10           30
                                                      f - through Oct. 8
* The daily bag limit of seven (7) ducks and mergansers may include any combination of species
with the following restrictions:




                      no more than two (2) hen mallards;
                      no more than three (3) pintail;
                      no more than two (2) canvasbacks;
                      no more than two (2) redheads; and,
                      no more than two (2) scaup. No scaup shall be taken after December 20.

              (ii)    Central Flyway Zones. The Central Flyway is divided into three (3)
zones. Refer to the season dates for the zone in which you are hunting.

                    (A)     ZONE C1 shall include Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona,
Park and Washakie counties, and Fremont County excluding those portions south or west of the
Continental Divide.

                        (B)     ZONE C1A shall include Goshen and Platte counties.

                     (C)     ZONE C2 shall include Albany, Campbell, Crook, Johnson,
Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan and Weston counties; and that portion of Carbon County east of the
Continental Divide.

               (iii)    Central Flyway

 CENTRAL FLYWAY
                                 Season Dates           Closed Areas             Bag Limit
        Species                                            Section 3
                              Opens       Closes         Subsections       Daily      Possession
 Light Geese                  Oct. 3      Dec. 30               b           20            60
                                                       a - after Nov. 13
                                                       c - after Nov. 14
                              Jan. 30     Feb. 14            a, b, c        20               60

 CENTRAL FLYWAY - ZONE C1
                    Season Dates                        Closed Areas             Bag Limit
       Species                                            Section 3
                   Opens    Closes                      Subsections        Daily      Possession
 Ducks and         Oct. 3   Oct. 20                                         6**         18**
 Mergansers       Nov. 14   Jan. 31                    c - after Nov. 14    6**         18**
 Coots             Oct. 3   Oct. 20                                         15            45
                  Nov. 14   Jan. 31                    c - after Nov. 14    15            45
 Dark Geese        Oct. 3   Oct. 20                                          5            15
                  Nov. 20   Feb. 14                           c              5            15





 CENTRAL FLYWAY – ZONE C1A
                    Season Dates                     Closed Areas              Bag Limit
      Species                                           Section 3
                   Opens    Closes                    Subsections        Daily      Possession
 Ducks and Mergansers        Oct. 3    Oct. 20               b            6**          18**
                            Nov. 14    Jan. 31               b            6**          18**
                                                    a - after Nov. 13
 Coots                       Oct. 3    Oct. 20               b            15            45
                            Nov. 14    Jan. 31               b            15            45
                                                    a - after Nov. 13
 Dark Geese*                 Oct. 3    Oct. 14               b             2             6
                            Nov. 14    Feb. 14              a, b           5            15

 CENTRAL FLYWAY - ZONE C2
                    Season Dates                       Closed Areas              Bag Limit
                                                         Section 3
         Species
                            Opens       Closes         Subsections        Daily      Possession
                                                           Daily
 Ducks and Mergansers        Sep. 26     Nov. 29                           6**          18**
                             Dec. 12      Jan. 12                          6**          18**
 Coots                       Sep. 26     Nov. 29                            15           45
                             Dec. 12      Jan. 12                           15            45
 Early Canada Goose           Sep. 1      Sep. 8                             5           15
 Dark Geese                  Sep. 26     Nov. 29                             5           15
                             Dec. 12      Jan. 12                            5            15
*For Bump-Sullivan Managed Goose Hunt information, see Section 6.
**The daily bag limit of six (6) ducks and mergansers may include any combination of species
with the following restrictions:
                  no more than five (5) mallards of which not more than two (2) shall be hens;
                  no more than three (3) pintail;
                  no more than three (3) wood ducks;
                  no more than two (2) canvasbacks;
                  no more than two (2) redheads; and,
                  no more than one (1) scaup.
                  two (2) blue-winged teal may be taken in addition to the regular limit of six
                     (6) ducks during the following dates:
                     - Zone C1 and C1A: October 3– October 11
                     - Zone C2:               September 26– October 4

Licenses

License (WGFD fee list)	Price
DUPLICATE GAME BIRD FARM	$7.00
GAME BIRD FARM	$136.00
GAME BIRD FARM - NEW	$136.00
NONRESIDENT GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME 12-MONTH	$74.00
NONRESIDENT GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME DAILY	$22.00
NONRESIDENT GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME YOUTH	$40.00
RESIDENT GAME BIRD 12-MONTH	$16.00
RESIDENT GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME 12-MONTH	$27.00
RESIDENT GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME DAILY	$9.00
RESIDENT GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME MILITARY COMBAT	$0.00
RESIDENT LIFETIME GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME	$311.00
RESIDENT LIFETIME GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME & CSTAMP	$496.50
RESIDENT LIFETIME GAME BIRD/SMALL GAME & FISH	$496.00

From the WGFD License Fee List, checked 2026-10-23. A Conservation Stamp may also be required — see WGFD.

The federal duck stamp is a federal purchase and is not on WGFD’s fee list.