Comments on Proposed Waterfowl Seasons Accepted

Hunters and members of waterfowl organizations have several options to ask questions and voice opinions on the 2025-26 proposed migratory game bird seasons.

Questions or comments can be submitted to waterfowlcomments@pa.gov, or a letter can be mailed to Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

An online question-and-answer session will be held on the proposed seasons on Thursday, March 6 at 1 p.m. on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel. The briefing will be available to view live and thereafter.

“The briefing on YouTube will include summaries of recent federal framework changes and other ‘hot topics’ with the opportunity for viewers to submit follow-up questions for real-time response,” said Game Commission waterfowl biologist Amanda Hoyt. “It’s a convenient option for hunters statewide to catch up on all things waterfowl without leaving home,” she added.

Those submitting questions or comments by email or mail should provide the species, zone (if applicable), and county or counties they’re referring to. The comment period closes March 21.

A Waterfowl Open House will take place at the Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, 100 Museum Road, Stevens, PA 17578, on Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Game Commission staff and view proposed seasons presented.

“For those able to travel to Middle Creek, the Waterfowl Open House will provide a weekend opportunity for more extended in-person discussion with Game Commission staff carrying out the research, regulation setting, habitat, and law-enforcement elements of the agency’s waterfowl management program,” Hoyt said.

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the states in the Atlantic Flyway meet to establish federal frameworks for migratory game bird seasons. These frameworks form the side boards that each state must set their season within. States can be more restrictive – fewer days or lower bag limits – but cannot be more liberal than the federal frameworks allow.

Generally speaking, frameworks do not vary widely from year-to-year, but changes in habitat conditions or populations of migratory game birds may cause them to change. For the 2025-26 seasons, there are two changes. The Atlantic Population Canada goose daily bag limit has been reduced from 3 to 1 bird during the regular season and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of 3.

“The Game Commission annually considers various types of public input when selecting waterfowl seasons within the parameters established by the federal frameworks,” said Game Commission Wildlife Operations Chief Ian Gregg. “Results of periodic hunter surveys provide data on the general opinions of a broad cross-section of hunters, while annual written comment periods and interactive events allow individual hunters to provide their specific preferences and concerns in more detail,” he added.

With public comments and results of surveys considered, Game Commission staff will prepare and present the recommended 2025-26 waterfowl and migratory and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for final approval. Final seasons will appear in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which hunters receive with the purchase of a license.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages and protects wildlife and their habitats and promotes hunting and trapping for current and future generations. Visit www.pa.gov/pgc for more information about Pennsylvania hunting, trapping and wildlife.