Migratory Bird Rules

Season dates, bag limits and applicable regulations for the 2023-24 waterfowl, webless migratory game bird (including doves) and extended falconry seasons. The dates are available online at ncwildlife.org and will be published in the 2023-24 Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest in August.

Although the majority of seasons remain unchanged, notable changes include:

  • The mallard daily bag limit will increase from 2 mallards (only one hen mallard) to 4 mallards (only two hen mallards) daily.
  • The daily bag limit for Canada geese (also includes white-fronted geese) in the North­east Canada Goose Hunt Zone will increase from 1 Canada goose or white-fronted goose to 2 Canada geese or white-fronted goose either singly or in the aggregate.

For more information on migratory game birds in North Carolina, visit the Wildlife Commission’s Migratory Birds and Waterfowl webpage.