Atlantic Flyway Migratory Gamebirds

Migratory gamebirds are managed by a collaboration of state and federal agencies known as the Flyway Councils. Delaware is a part of the Atlantic Flyway Council and collaboratively collects and analyses data to help set seasons and bag limits for various species.

This page collects information and links to annual status reports and management plans for migratory gamebirds in the Atlantic Flyway.

Annual status reports are updated every September by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Annual Status Reports and Management Plans

Canada Goose

In Delaware there are two populations of Canada Geese – the Atlantic Population and the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population.

The Atlantic Population breed in northern Quebec and spend the fall and winter in Delaware. These geese are arctic nesters. They have a shorter nesting season while in Quebec and can’t re-nest, so their population fluctuates year-to-year and they are more sensitive to harvest.

The Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (also known as resident geese) spend the entire year in Delaware. These geese breed in Delaware, with a longer nesting season and the ability to re-nest, so their population has been increasing over time.

There is a special September season targeting the resident geese. The regular season later in the fall and winter is set with the Atlantic Population in mind as they are present during this time.

Atlantic Population Canada Goose 2026 Breeding Pair Survey – This document contains the latest breeding pair survey estimate for the Atlantic Population of Canada Geese.

Atlantic Population Canada Goose 2026 Memo – This document contains the recommended hunting season selection for the 2027-2028 hunting season based on data from the harvest strategy for the species.

Atlantic Population Canada Goose Management Plan – This management plan, last updated in 2008, establishes population and harvest objectives among the Atlantic Flyway states and provinces.

Atlantic Flyway Resident Population Canada Goose Management Plan – This management plan, last updated in 2011, establishes population and harvest objectives among the Atlantic Flyway states and provinces.

Atlantic Brant

Atlantic Brant 2026 Memo – This document contains the recommended hunting season selection for the 2027-2028 Atlantic Brant hunting season based on data from the harvest strategy for the species.

Atlantic Brant Management Plan – This management plan, last updated in 2020, establishes population and harvest objectives among the Atlantic Flyway states and provinces.

Greater Snow Goose

Greater Snow Goose Management Plan – This management plan, last updated in 2009, establishes population and harvest objectives among the Atlantic Flyway states and provinces.

Swans

Eastern Population Tundra Swan Management Plan – This management plan, last updated in 2007, establishes population and harvest objectives among the Atlantic Flyway states and provinces.

Atlantic Flyway Mute Swan Management Plan – This management plan, last updated in 2015, establishes population and harvest objectives among the Atlantic Flyway states and provinces.

Ducks

2026 Waterfowl Population Status Report – This document provides current information from the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (BPOP), which has been conducted since 1955 and is one of the highest quality datasets in wildlife conservation in the world. Many of Delaware’s Mallards, American Black Ducks and Green-winged Teal come from Eastern Canada, which is delineated as the Eastern Survey Area (ESA) in this report.

Blue-winged Teal 2026 Memo – This document contains the recommended hunting season selection for the 2027-2028 early teal hunting season based on data from the harvest strategy for the species.

Canvasback 2026 Memo – This document contains the recommended hunting season selection for the 2027-2028 Canvasback bag limit based on data from the harvest strategy for the species.

2027 Adaptive Harvest Management Report – This document is very detailed and goes into the adaptive harvest management process for how decisions are made for ducks, including Mallards, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail and Scaup.

Dove

Mourning Dove 2026 Population Status Report – This document has breeding data from the Breeding Bird Survey, harvest estimates from the Harvest Information Program, banding data to estimate survival and harvest rates and Parts Collection Survey data to estimate recruitment.

Mourning Dove 2026 Memo – This document contains the recommended hunting season selection for the 2027-2028 Mourning Dove hunting season and bag limit based on data from the harvest strategy for the species.

American Woodcock

American Woodcock 2026 Population Status Report – This document has breeding data from the Singing-Ground Survey and harvest estimates from the Harvest Information Program.

American Woodcock 2026 Memo – This document contains the recommended hunting season selection for the 2027-2028 hunting season based on data from the Population Status Report and the harvest strategy for the species.