Canvasback
hunting regulations.
Huntable in 49 states — 49 with general season. Click any state for the state-specific page.
Canvasbacks are the largest North American diving duck, breeding in the prairie pothole region and the Northwest and wintering on the Chesapeake Bay, Mississippi delta, and Pacific coastal estuaries. Drakes carry distinctive white-and-black plumage with a sloped head and chestnut neck. Once heavily exploited by market hunters, populations have stabilized but bag limits remain conservative.
Most flyways allow 2 canvasbacks daily within the duck aggregate. They feed almost exclusively on aquatic vegetation (wild celery historically), making coastal bay hunting the traditional venue. Big-water decoy spreads and patient layout-blind work are the classic methods.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Where canvasback can be hunted
49 states- AlabamaAlabama Wildlife & Freshwater FisheriesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- AlaskaAlaska Department of Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArizonaArizona Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArkansasArkansas Game and Fish CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ConnecticutCT DEEP Wildlife DivisionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- DelawareDelaware Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- FloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- GeorgiaGeorgia DNR Wildlife Resources DivisionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IdahoIdaho Department of Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IllinoisIllinois DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IndianaIndiana DNR Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IowaIowa DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- KansasKansas Department of Wildlife and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- KentuckyKentucky Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MaineMaine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MarylandMaryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage ServiceYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MassachusettsMassWildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MichiganMichigan DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MinnesotaMinnesota DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MississippiMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MissouriMissouri Department of ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MontanaMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- NebraskaNebraska Game and Parks CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- NevadaNevada Department of WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New JerseyNJ Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New YorkNY DECYGeneral seasonVerify →
- North CarolinaNC Wildlife Resources CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- North DakotaND Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OhioOhio Division of WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OklahomaOklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OregonOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Game CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- Rhode IslandRI DEM Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- South CarolinaSC Department of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- South DakotaSD Game, Fish and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- TennesseeTennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyYGeneral seasonVerify →
- TexasTexas Parks and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- UtahUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VermontVermont Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VirginiaVirginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WashingtonWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- West VirginiaWV Division of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WisconsinWisconsin DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WyomingWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
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