Alabama Duck Season 2026-27: Dates, Limits and Delta Rules
Alabama ducks, Oct. 26, 2026
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Next to open
Nov. 21
Duck season
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season (first segment) | Statewide | Nov. 27, 2026 to Nov. 28, 2026 | Opens in 32 days |
| Regular Season (second segment) | Statewide | Dec. 5, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 | Opens in 40 days |
One statewide season: Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 5-Jan. 31, for ducks, coots and mergansers.
Teal and youth, veterans and military days
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Teal Season | Statewide | Sept. 12, 2026 to Sept. 20, 2026 | Closed |
| Youth, Veterans and Active Military Day | Statewide | Nov. 21, 2026 | Opens in 26 days |
| Youth, Veterans and Active Military Day (February) | Statewide | Feb. 6, 2027 | Opens in 103 days |
Daily bag limits
| Species | Daily limit |
|---|---|
| Total ducks | 6 |
| Mallards (females) | 4 (2) |
| Wood ducks | 3 |
| Pintails | 3 |
| Black ducks | 2 |
| Redheads | 2 |
| Canvasbacks | 2 |
| Mottled ducks | 1 |
| Scaup | 1 |
| Mergansers (hooded) | 5 (2) |
| Coots | 15 |
Alabama keeps scaup at 1 a day for the whole season.
Mobile-Tensaw Delta
- Closed to waterfowl hunting on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Wednesday through Sunday, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
- Big Bateau Bay and Bay Grass have motor restrictions from the second Saturday in November through the second Saturday in February.
Youth, veterans and military days
Nov. 21, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027. Youth are hunters who have not reached their 16th birthday. One adult, 21 or older or the youth's parent, may supervise up to two youth and must stay within arm's length. Adults may not hunt unless they are veterans or active military, who must carry proof of service. Each youth may use only one firearm.
Shooting hours and shot
- One-half hour before sunrise to sunset statewide, except the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and Corps of Engineers lands in Pickens, Greene and Sumter counties, which follow their own hours.
- Possession of lead shot while hunting waterfowl is illegal.
Dates set before final federal rules
ADCNR notes that federal guidelines were not final when its waterfowl page was printed, so dates and limits could change. Check outdooralabama.com for updates.
Federal waterfowl rules
- Only approved nontoxic shot may be used or possessed for ducks and coots.
- Shotguns may hold no more than three shells unless plugged with a one-piece filler.
- Hunting over bait and using live birds as decoys are prohibited.
Frequently asked questions
When does duck season open in Alabama?
Nov. 27, 2026. The first segment is Nov. 27-28, and the season reopens Dec. 5 through Jan. 31.
How many scaup can you shoot in Alabama?
One a day for the whole season.
Can you hunt ducks on Monday in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta?
No. The delta is closed to waterfowl hunting on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the other days end at 1 p.m.
When is the Alabama youth duck hunt?
Nov. 21, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027, for hunters under 16 with an adult within arm's length.
Duck season in other states
Texas · Pennsylvania · Michigan · Wisconsin · Ohio · Georgia · New York · Missouri · Minnesota · Indiana · Virginia · North Carolina · Kentucky · Tennessee.
Deer seasons are on the Alabama deer season page, and turkey seasons on the Alabama turkey season page.
Source: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Waterfowl Season, 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide and special waterfowl days. Federal rules: 50 CFR 20.21 and 20.108.
Verified on Oct. 24, 2026.
Always check ADCNR for updates and the rules for the area where you hunt.