Waterfowl
Light Geese hunting in Idaho, 2026-27 dates and limits
Snow, blue and Ross's geese in Idaho this season: 1 IDFG row, opening with snow, blue and Ross's geese (5 areas) on October 3, 2026.
Photo: mark6mauno (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Where Idaho snow, blue and Ross's geese stand this season
The window for snow, blue and Ross's geese spans October 3, 2026 to March 10, 2027; snow, blue and Ross's geese (5 areas) opens it. The light goose bag line is: 20 daily, 60 possession. For snow, blue and Ross's geese, the area column matters more than the unit: migratory areas are county lists.
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Where each light goose date set applies
| Area | Dates |
|---|---|
| Area 1 | 10/3/26–1/15/27 |
| Area 2 | 10/19/26–1/31/27 |
| Area 3 | Oct 19–Dec 24, 2026 |
| Area 3 | Feb 1–Mar 10, 2027 |
| Area 4 | Oct 3–Dec 23, 2026 |
| Area 4 | Feb 16–Mar 10, 2027 |
| Area 5 | 10/10/26–1/22/27 |
Snow, blue and Ross's geese (5 areas): 20 daily, 60 possession.
From goose dates by area (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Light Geese season dates and areas
Rows are sorted by first day, and the last column compares each light goose window with today.
| Season | Area | Tag | Dates | Bag | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow, blue and Ross's geese (5 areas) | Statewide | – |
| 20 daily, 60 possession |
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
The light goose bag in Idaho
Each light goose limit is shown with what it applies to, straight from the IDFG text.
| Kind | Bag line |
|---|---|
| Light geese | 20 daily, 60 possession |
From bag limit (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Light Geese license, tags and permits
Everything a light goose hunter might need, with residency and price; the Price Lock figure is the reduced resident annual price.
| Purchase | Buyer | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting license | Resident | $15.75 ($12.75 Price Lock) |
| Hunting license | Nonresident | $185.00 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| Junior hunting license | Resident | $8.25 ($7.25 Price Lock) |
| Combination hunting & fishing | Resident | $38.75 ($33.50 Price Lock) |
| Combination hunting & fishing | Nonresident | $264.00 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| Sportsman's Package | Resident | $144.60 ($124.25 Price Lock) |
| Small game hunting license | Nonresident | $141.75 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| 3-day small game license | Nonresident | $71.75 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| Migratory bird (HIP) permit | Resident | $2.75 ($1.75 Price Lock) |
| Migratory bird (HIP) permit | Nonresident | $5.00 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
What light goose hunters must hold: A hunting license is required to hunt (including predatory and unprotected wildlife); a trapping license to trap gray wolf; a tag for every big game species.
From license and tag fees, nonresident fees and license requirements (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Light Geese hunting rules in Idaho
The rule lines below come from the brochures; the source links give the full text.
| Topic | IDFG rule |
|---|---|
| Shooting hours | Light goose hunters: official shooting hours table for the 2026-2027 migratory game bird seasons (except crows) by county group (brochure pages 15-17). |
| Shot | Light goose hunters: nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl. |
| Baiting | Light goose hunters: state and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds (brochure page 18). |
| Youth and veterans | Light goose hunters: youth-only controlled deer, elk, pronghorn and bear hunts; pheasant youth season October 8-14, 2026; youth/veterans waterfowl weekend September 26-27, 2026; youth spring turkey April 8-14. |
| Hunter orange | Light goose hunters: hunter orange is recommended, required only while hunting pheasants where the Upland Game Bird Permit is required (including IDFG properties and leases) and on sponsored hunts such as organized youth hunts; minimum 36 square inches above the waist. |
| Disabled veterans | Light goose hunters: Disabled American Veteran licenses, tags and permits at reduced prices (fee tables). |
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 15, Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 25, Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 18, Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 115, IDFG page and Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 122 (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Public places for snow, blue and Ross's geese
Where a card names a source, that source lists snow, blue and Ross's geese or their group; acreage is the record's figure, and posted rules still apply.
Waterfowl listed at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (IDFG WMA page).
Mink – East Pine, Advent Gulch, Weiser River (Access Yes!): waterfowl opportunity (Access Yes! flags).
The Access Yes! flags mark Access Yes! property 5936 for waterfowl.
Waterfowl listed at Henry's Fork North of Chester Wetlands (Access Yes!) (Access Yes! flags).
Georgetown Summit Wildlife Management Area: waterfowl opportunity (IDFG WMA page).
The Access Yes! flags mark Pleasant Valley Grazing Association (Access Yes!) for waterfowl.
From Market Lake Wildlife Management Area and Mink – East Pine, Advent Gulch, Weiser River (Access Yes!) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Idaho light goose hunting kit
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A Canada goose standing in a marshPhoto: ianpreston (CC BY 2.0)
Snow geese standing together in dry grassPhoto: Bureau of Land Management Idaho (CC BY 2.0)
A flock of geese crossing the dawn sky over Lake LowellPhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Light Geese questions
Which shotgun loads are legal for snow, blue and Ross's geese?
For snow, blue and Ross's geese: nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl.
Which baiting law applies to snow, blue and Ross's geese?
For snow, blue and Ross's geese: state and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds (brochure page 18).
May I use cellular cameras for snow, blue and Ross's geese?
For snow, blue and Ross's geese: new restrictions on technology for hunting or scouting big game and game birds August 30-December 31 (not wolves, lions or predators).
How long is the Idaho light goose season?
From October 3, 2026 to March 10, 2027, depending on the light goose row and area. Snow, blue and Ross's geese (5 areas): October 3, 2026. Snow, blue and Ross's geese are in season on November 12, 2026 under at least one IDFG row.
What is the daily limit on snow, blue and Ross's geese in Idaho?
For snow, blue and Ross's geese, the brochure line reads: 20 daily, 60 possession.
What paperwork do Idaho light goose hunters carry?
Hunting snow, blue and Ross's geese takes a hunting license plus the migratory bird (HIP) permit ($2.75 resident).
Is light goose hunting limited to certain areas?
The light goose rows name Areas 1-5. Check land status before hunting snow, blue and Ross's geese: tribal land is closed.
When can I start shooting snow, blue and Ross's geese?
Snow, blue and Ross's geese follow the official IDFG table on pages 15 to 17 of the migratory brochure, set by county group; this page does not recalculate it.
Who must wear hunter orange when hunting snow, blue and Ross's geese?
Idaho recommends orange for snow, blue and Ross's geese but does not require it: hunter orange is recommended, required only while hunting pheasants where the Upland Game Bird Permit is required (including IDFG properties and leases) and on sponsored hunts such as organized youth hunts; minimum 36 square inches above the waist.