Arkansas Duck Season 2026-27: Three Splits and Bag Limits

Duck, coot and merganser season

One statewide season in three segments. A 10-day break runs Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, and the season closes Dec. 24-25.

Teal, youth and military hunts

Daily bag limits

Species not listed, including teal, may make up the full six. Possession is three times the daily limit.

Shooting hours on WMAs

• During the regular duck season, shooting on WMAs runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to noon, unless a WMA's own rules say otherwise.
• Hunters must leave flooded areas and watercourses on WMAs by 1 p.m., and by noon on Dave Donaldson Black River and George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMAs.
• On the last day of the season, Jan. 31, 2027, and on the February youth and military days, hunting runs until sunset and hunters have until 6:30 p.m. to leave.

September teal

Sept. 19, 2026 to Sept. 27, 2026: blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal, 6 a day and 18 in possession. Shooting starts at sunrise, not before.

Youth, military and veteran hunt

Feb. 6, 2027 to Feb. 7, 2027, after the regular season. Youth 15 and under may take ducks, geese, coots and mergansers; a youth without hunter education must be with a mentor 21 or older, who may call but not shoot. Active duty military, including Guard and Reserve on active duty, and qualifying veterans hunt the same days with a license, stamps and accepted military or veteran ID. Bag limits are the regular-season limits.

Geese

• Canada geese: Sept. 1 to Oct. 15, 5 a day; then the duck season dates, 2 a day.
• White-fronted geese: Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 and the duck season dates, 2 a day.
• Snow, blue and Ross's geese: the same dates as white-fronted geese, 20 a day with no possession limit.
• Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb. 1 to 5 and Feb. 8 to April 25, 2027, with no bag limit.

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 Arkansas?

Nov. 21, 2026. The season runs in three segments: Nov. 21, 2026 to Nov. 29, 2026, Dec. 10, 2026 to Dec. 23, 2026 and Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027.

Why does Arkansas duck season close in early December?

The 60 days are split into three segments, with breaks from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 and on Dec. 24-25. The dates apply statewide; Arkansas has no duck zones.

How many mallards can you shoot in Arkansas?

Four a day, no more than two hens, within the six-duck daily limit.

When is the Arkansas youth duck hunt?

Feb. 6, 2027 to Feb. 7, 2027, for youth 15 and under. Active duty military and veterans hunt the same weekend.

What time does duck hunting end on Arkansas WMAs?

Noon during the regular season, unless a WMA rule says otherwise. Hunters must leave flooded areas by 1 p.m., or by noon on Dave Donaldson Black River and Bayou Meto WMAs.

Duck season in other states

Texas · Pennsylvania · Michigan · Wisconsin · Ohio · Georgia · New York · Missouri · Minnesota · Indiana · Virginia · North Carolina · Kentucky · Tennessee · Alabama · Louisiana · Mississippi.

Deer seasons are on the Arkansas deer season page.

Always check the AGFC rules for the WMA where you hunt.