Bag Limits
2010/2011 Migratory Game Bird Season/Bag Limits Following is a capsulized version of the latest dove, duck and goose hunting information as it pertains to hunting in this region only.
Some may pertain to the entire state, but not all. Check all regulations before hunting in other regions of the state.
The first seasons to get under way will be the dove and early resident geese population seasons, which begin Sept. 1.
The Early Resident Population Canada Goose Season begins Sept. 1 and closes Sept. 25. The daily limit is 8 with a possession limit of 16.
There will be three dove seasons — Sept. 1-28; Oct. 23-Nov. 27 and Dec. 27-Jan. 1.
The daily limit is 15 in all three seasons.
During the Sept. 1-28 portion of the dove season, hunting hours are noon to sunset. During the other seasons, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
In addition to a valid hunting license, those hunting ducks are required to have a Federal Duck Stamp and a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License.
Dove hunters must purchase a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License.
Regular goose season in southwest Pennsylvania is Oct. 23-30, Nov. 8-27 & Dec. 18-Feb. 19 with a daily limit of 5.
The Atlantic Brant season is Oct. 9-Dec. 6 with a daily limit of two and a possession limit of 4.
The season for snow geese is Nov. 6-Feb. 19 with a daily limit of 25 and no possession limit.
Saturday, Sept. 18 has been set aside as a Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day for licensed junior hunters ages 12-15.
All regular season bag limits and restrictions apply. Federal and state migratory hunting stamps are required.
Ducks, mergansers, Canada geese, coots and moorhens will all be fair game that day.
Ducks: 6 daily, 12 in possession of any species except for the following restrictions: daily limit may not include more than 4 mallards including 2 hen mallards, 1 black duck, 2 pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous tree duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, 4 scoters and 2 scaup. Possession limit may not include more than 8 mallards including 4 hens, 2 black ducks, 4 pintails, 2 mottled ducks, 2 fulvous tree ducks, 6 wood ducks, 4 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 8 scoters and 4 scaup.
Mergansers: 5 daily, 10 in possession, not more than 2 hooded mergansers daily or 4 in possession.
Coots: 15 daily, 30 in possession.
Season Dates
Lake Erie Zone
Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers – Oct. 25- Jan. 1.
North Zone
Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers – Oct. 9 – Oct. 23 & Nov. 11-Jan. 4.
Northwest Zone
Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers Oct. 9 – Oct. 23 & Nov. 6 – Dec. 30.
South Zone
Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers – Oct. 9 – 16 & Nov. 17 – Jan. 17.
Webless Migratory Bird Seasons and Daily Limits
Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
A valid Migratory Game Bird License (HIP) is also required to hunt other migratory game birds, including doves, woodcock, coots, moorhens, rails and snipe. If you purchased a HIP license last year, be sure to provide your last year’s migratory game bird harvest results when asked. By answering these questions you will be entered into a pool of hunters from which samples for federal harvest surveys are drawn. Your responses to the questions improve efficiency and the quality of the information used to monitor the harvest of migratory birds for management purposes.
Species Open Season Daily Limit
Doves Sept. 1 – Sept. 28 15
Oct. 23 – Nov. 27 15
Dec. 27 – Jan. 1 15
Woodcock
Oct. 16 – Nov. 13 3
Common Snipe (Wilson’s)
Oct. 16 – Nov. 27 8
Rails (Sora and Virginia only)
Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 3
Moorhens, Gallinules
Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 3
During the Sept. 1-28 portion of the dove season, hunting hours are noon to sunset. During the other seasons, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
This information is only a guide and subject to change.
For those with computer access, find more information on the Internet, go to www.flyways.us; or www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the picture of the duck.