HARRISBURG -- Hunters and members of waterfowl organizations have several options to ask questions and voice opinions on the 2026-27 proposed migratory game bird seasons.
Questions or comments can be submitted by email to waterfowlcomments@pa.gov, or by mail to Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.
An informational livestream, followed by a live question-and-answer session, will be held on the proposed seasons on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel. The briefing will be recorded, and a link will be available to view at https://www.youtube.com/pagamecommission.
And a Waterfowl Open House is scheduled to take place at the Game Commission’s Northeast Regional Office, 3917 Memorial Hwy, Dallas, PA 18612 on Saturday, March 14 from noon to 4 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Game Commission staff and view proposed seasons presented.
It still hasn’t been determined whether Sundays will be included in the 2026-27 migratory game bird seasons. Because migratory seasons follow federal frameworks that establish the maximum number of hunting days for each season, including Sundays would create more-compact seasons. The Game Commission is conducting a random survey to find out more about which option waterfowl hunters prefer, and all who are interested in this matter can submit comments to the agency. If Sundays are included in the migratory game bird seasons, they cannot be closed in the future.
The season proposal document that’s posted on the Game Commission’s website shows two proposed season structures, one with Sundays and one without. Both proposals follow the federal framework. These proposed migratory seasons are in accordance with the preliminarily approved 2026-27 general hunting seasons that, if adopted, would allow small game hunting during regular firearms deer season, meaning woodcock and snipe hunting would be open then.
Another notable proposal for 2026-27 seasons would increase the Atlantic Population Canada goose regular season to 45 days, with a daily bag limit of 3. This change to the framework would take effect once published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Additionally, the regular snow goose season is proposed to run from November through March 10, with the light goose conservation order not utilized unless 2026 spring snow goose surveys indicate its necessity. This recommendation to drastically reduce or forgo the conservation order will be followed by all high-harvest states within the Atlantic Flyway due to 2025 spring snow goose surveys indicating populations are below the target range.
If you have questions or are interested in commenting on proposed seasons, please provide the species, zone (if applicable) and County/Counties you are specifically commenting on. The comment period closes March 22.