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Dark geese (Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted) hunting in Colorado: 2026-27 seasons, limits and where to hunt
Open now (6/12 rows); limits, harvest, licenses and places to hunt Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese.
Photo: Jesse James (CC BY 2.0)
The 2026-27 picture for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese
Colorado goose hunting is split into 12 license and date rows. The calendar covers September 1, 2026 to February 14, 2027; open now (6/12 rows). Limit printed on most goose rows: daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited).
- Limit summary (goose): Daily 5, possession 15; Daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited)
- Season outline (goose): Regular season: November 2, 2026 to February 14, 2027 (Central Flyway except North Park, San Luis Valley, South Par); North Park season: October 3, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (Jackson County); San Luis Valley season (split): October 3, 2026 to February 14, 2027 (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande and the parts of Arch); South Park season: October 3, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties)
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 18 and CPW website, checked November 5, 2026.
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Dark geese (Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted) dates, licenses and units
Sorted by opening day. Split seasons show both segments in the dates cell.
| Window | License | Area | Dates | Take | Codes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Canada goose season | Small game + stamps | Pacific Flyway (west of the Divide) | Sep 1–Sep 9, 2026 | Daily 5, possession 15 | – | Closed |
| Youth and military days | Youth | Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone | Sep 26–Sep 27, 2026 | Regular Central Flyway duck/coot limits; 5 dark geese | – | Closed |
| Youth and military days | Youth | Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Sep 26–Sep 27, 2026 | Duck & merganser 7 (max 2 hen mallards, 3 pintails, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup); coot 25; possession 3 daily bags. Geese 5 dark, 10 light | – | Closed |
| North Park season | Small game + stamps | Jackson County | Oct 3–Jan 15, 2027 | Daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited) | – | |
| Season | Small game + stamps | Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone | Oct 3–Jan 6, 2027 | Dark geese daily 5/possession 15; light geese daily 10/possession 30 | – | |
| Season (split) | Small game + stamps | Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 3–Oct 11, 2026; Nov 6–Jan 31, 2027 | Dark geese daily 5/possession 15; light geese daily 10/possession 30 | – | |
| San Luis Valley season (split) | Small game + stamps | Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande and the parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache and San Juan east of the Divide | Oct 3–Oct 21, 2026; Nov 21–Feb 14, 2027 | Daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited) | – | |
| South Park season | Small game + stamps | Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties | Oct 3–Jan 15, 2027 | Daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited) | – | |
| Youth and military days | Youth | Central Flyway Northeast Zone | Oct 10–Oct 11, 2026 | Regular Central Flyway duck/coot limits; 5 dark geese | – | Closed |
| Youth and military days | Youth | Central Flyway Southeast Zone | Oct 17–Oct 18, 2026 | Regular Central Flyway duck/coot limits; 5 dark geese | – | Closed |
| Youth and military days | Youth | Pacific Flyway Western Zone | Oct 24–Oct 25, 2026 | Duck & merganser 7 (max 2 hen mallards, 3 pintails, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup); coot 25; possession 3 daily bags. Geese 5 dark, 10 light | – | Closed |
| Season | Small game + stamps | Central Flyway except North Park, San Luis Valley, South Park | Nov 2–Feb 14, 2027 | Daily 5, possession 15 | – |
- Early Canada goose season (goose, Pacific Flyway (west of the Divide)): Small-game license, HIP, Colorado waterfowl stamp ($12.76) and federal duck stamp (16+, $33).
- Youth and military days (goose, Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone): Small-game license, HIP, Colorado waterfowl stamp ($12.76) and federal duck stamp (16+, $33); Youth 17 and under with a non-hunting mentor; veterans and active-duty military (including Guard and Reserves) with military ID.
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 18 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 20, checked November 5, 2026.
The ground each goose row covers
| Duck zone | Counties | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Northeast Zone | 15 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 |
| Central Southeast Zone | 17 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
| Central Mountain/Foothills Zone | 27 | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Pacific Western Zone | 17 | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Pacific Eastern Zone | 11 | Sep 26, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 |
- Early Canada goose season (goose): Pacific Flyway (west of the Divide), September 1 to September 9, 2026.
- North Park season (goose): Jackson County, October 3, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- San Luis Valley season (split) (goose): Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande and the parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache and San Juan east of the Divide, October 3 to October 21, 2026.
- South Park season (goose): Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties, October 3, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- Season (goose): Central Flyway except North Park, San Luis Valley, South Park, November 2, 2026 to February 14, 2027.
Pick the zone first, then the goose dates; counties crossed by I-25 or the Divide sit in two zones.
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 18 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Dark geese (Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted): daily, possession and license limits
- Regular Central Flyway duck/coot limits; 5 dark geese (goose, 3 rows)
- Daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited) (goose, 3 rows)
- Daily 5, possession 15 (goose, 2 rows)
- Duck & merganser 7 (max 2 hen mallards, 3 pintails, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup); coot 25; possession 3 daily bags. Geese 5 dark, 10 light (goose, 2 rows)
- Dark geese daily 5/possession 15; light geese daily 10/possession 30 (goose, 2 rows)
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 18, checked November 5, 2026.
Licenses and fees for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese
For Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese, CPW lists these fees; each license includes the $1.25 rescue and $1.50 education charges. Goose hunters aged 18-64 also pay the $12.76 Habitat Stamp once a year.
| License | Residency | Cost | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small game (annual) | Resident | $38.49 | 13 months |
| Small game (annual) | Nonresident | $104.86 | 13 months |
| Youth small game | Anyone | $2.53 | 13 months |
| Colorado waterfowl stamp | Anyone | $12.76 | 13 months |
| Federal duck stamp | Anyone | $33.00 | E-stamp valid to the following June 30 |
| HIP registration | Anyone | free | from March 1 |
| Habitat Stamp (annual) | Anyone | $12.76 | 13 months |
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 15, 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 5 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 7, checked November 5, 2026.
Methods of take for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese
- Migratory birds (goose), legal: Shotguns 10 ga max, plugged to 3 shells, fired from the shoulder; hand-held bows; hawking.
- Migratory birds (goose), not legal: Rifles, pistols, slugs, traps, nets; unplugged guns except light-goose conservation order.
- Early Canada goose season (goose method text): Shotguns 10 ga max, 3 shells max (plugged), fired from shoulder, no slugs; hand-held bows; hawking; Nontoxic shot rules per federal law; No bait; no recorded/electronic calls (except crows and light geese in the conservation order).
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 10 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 18, checked November 5, 2026.
Dark geese (Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted): the rules beyond dates
- Orange or pink (goose): Not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged).
- Hours (goose): One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Baiting (goose): No hunting big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait; furbearer bait allowed; bear luring prohibited (CRS 33-6-131).
- Electronic calls (goose): Prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
- Dogs (goose): No dogs for big game except a leashed tracking dog (annual permit) to recover wounded deer/elk and others (not bear); dogs allowed for lion (max 8), small game, waterfowl and furbearers.
- Vehicles and roads (goose): No shooting from a vehicle or within 50 ft of a public road centerline; firearms unloaded in the chamber in vehicles; firearms (except handguns) unloaded and cased on OHVs during deer, elk, pronghorn and bear seasons.
- Trespass (goose): Permission required on private land whether or not posted; State Land Board lands only where leased/signed by CPW.
- Walk-In Access (goose): Walk-In Access: small game September 1-February 28, 2027 (regular), late cropland from pheasant opener; extended properties to March 31; big game on some properties September 1-December 31; small-game license and Habitat Stamp required; foot access only.
- Any day (goose): No statewide Sunday restriction appears in the 2026 brochures, CPW regulation chapters read or CRS Title 33; seasons run every day; Some State Wildlife Areas limit hunting to certain days (Chapter W-5/W-9 property rules, for example waterfowl only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays on some SWAs).
- State Wildlife Areas (goose): Everyone 16+ needs a hunting or fishing license (or State Wildlife Area Pass) on state wildlife areas and state trust lands.
- Course rule (goose): Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 needs a hunter education card to buy or apply for a hunting license; carry it (or have it verified "V" on the license); Other states' cards honored.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 25, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 24, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 22, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 23 and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Dark geese (Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted) on SWAs, forests and BLM
188 public places in this guide list Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese among their hunting species: 132 SWA, 28 State Trust Land, 8 Ranger district, 7 State park. Some places limit days, methods or require reservations; the land page says which.
| Area | Type | County | Size (ac) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | National forest | Archuleta +8 | 1,866,191 | Southwest |
| Gunnison | National forest | Delta +4 | 1,666,609 | Southwest |
| Gunnison | Ranger district | Gunnison +2 | 1,284,166 | Southwest |
| Colorado State Trust Lands Hunting and Fishing Access Program | Access program | Adams +41 | 973,000 | – |
| Uncompahgre | National forest | Delta +7 | 952,961 | Southwest |
| Columbine | Ranger district | Archuleta +3 | 687,144 | Southwest |
| Tamarack Ranch | SWA | Logan | 10,695 | Northeast |
| Ridgway | State park | Ouray | 2,100 | Southwest |
| Dome Lakes | SWA | Saguache | 420 | Southwest |
| Pastorius Reservoir | SWA | La Plata | 83 | Southwest |
| Franklin Island | SWA | Mesa | 38 | Northwest |
| Mogensen Ponds | SWA | Mesa | 11 | Northwest |
From CPW website, CPW website and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Legal shooting light for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese
The sun rises later on the Western Slope than on the plains; goose times below are NOAA-formula estimates for each place.
| On | Season point | Denver | Grand Junction area | Alamosa area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | Reference day | 6:02 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Jan 6, 2027 | Season closes | 6:51 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | North Park season closes | 6:49 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 23 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Mallard drakes and a hen swimming on a pond in Boulder. Photo: Katja Schulz (CC BY 2.0)
Common goldeneye hen swimming on rippled water at the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt. Photo: Paul Hurtado (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Flock of Canada geese in a green wetland pasture. Photo: Don Graham (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Common questions on Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese
Is HIP registration required for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese?
For Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese: Required for small game, coyote and migratory bird hunters, including falconers; not for turkey. Waterfowl stamps: Colorado $12.76, federal $33.00 (16 and older).
Is baiting legal for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese in Colorado?
Bait rule that applies to Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese: no bait for small-game mammals, game birds or migratory birds; federal baited-area rule (10 days after removal) for migratory birds; call rule for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese: prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
What does CPW allow per day or per license for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese?
Per CPW, Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese are limited as follows: Daily 5, possession 15 (light geese October 31-February 14: 50/unlimited).
What is the goose calendar for 2026-27?
The earliest goose row is Early Canada goose season: September 1 to September 9, 2026, and the last row closes February 14, 2027.
What equipment rules apply to Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese?
Migratory birds for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese: Shotguns 10 ga max, plugged to 3 shells, fired from the shoulder; hand-held bows; hawking; not legal for Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese: rifles, pistols, slugs, traps, nets; unplugged guns except light-goose conservation order.
Which license and stamps go with goose hunting?
What Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese need, with prices: Small game (annual) (resident) $38.49; Small game (annual) (nonresident) $104.86; Youth small game & furbearer (under 18) (anyone) $2.53; Colorado waterfowl stamp (anyone) $12.76.
When can I start and stop shooting Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese?
For Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Denver on November 5, 2026: 6:02 am to 4:55 pm, worked out with the NOAA solar formula.
Must I wear orange or pink when hunting Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese?
The orange or pink rule is a big game rule, so Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese are exempt: not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged).
How successful are goose hunters in Colorado?
CPW publishes no goose harvest estimate in the reports used here, and no records program exists.
Which state and federal lands name Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese as a hunting species?
Start with San Juan National Forest, Gunnison National Forest and Gunnison Ranger District (Gunnison National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest): 188 public areas in all list Canada, cackling, brant and white-fronted geese.
Other photos on this page: Katja Schulz (CC BY 2.0); Paul Hurtado (CC BY-SA 2.0); Don Graham (CC BY-SA 2.0).