The Pennsylvania Game Commission is inviting hunters and members of the public to provide input on proposed migratory game bird seasons for the 2026–27 hunting year in Pennsylvania. The comment period gives waterfowl hunters a chance to review proposed season structures and share their opinions before the regulations are finalized.
According to the agency, feedback from hunters plays an important role in shaping the final waterfowl seasons. Each year, states develop their migratory bird seasons within federal frameworks set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Atlantic Flyway Council. These federal guidelines establish the maximum season lengths and bag limits that states must follow, although states can choose to adopt more restrictive rules if needed.
Hunters who want to participate in the process have several ways to submit their comments. Written input can be sent by email or by mail to the Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. The agency asks that participants include the species they are commenting on, the management zone if applicable, and the county or counties relevant to their feedback. The public comment period is scheduled to run until March 22.
In addition to written comments, the Game Commission plans to host an online informational session and question-and-answer event where staff biologists will review the proposed seasons and discuss current waterfowl management topics. A public open house will also be held at a regional office, allowing hunters to view the proposals and speak directly with agency staff.
Wildlife managers use several sources of information when setting migratory bird seasons. These include hunter surveys, population data collected through flyway monitoring programs, habitat conditions on breeding grounds, and direct feedback from hunters during the public comment period. This combination of science and public input helps wildlife agencies balance hunting opportunity with long-term conservation goals for species such as ducks, geese, and other migratory birds.
After the comment period closes, Game Commission staff will review the feedback and prepare recommended seasons and bag limits. The final proposals will then be submitted for federal approval before being published in the upcoming Pennsylvania hunting regulations digest.
For waterfowl hunters in the state, the process provides a chance to influence how the next season is structured—making the public comment period one of the most direct ways sportsmen can help shape future hunting opportunities.
