Louisiana Duck Season 2026-27: West and East Zone Dates

West Zone

East Zone

Each zone has 60 days in two splits, and both close Dec. 7 to 18. The West Zone opens a week earlier and closes a week earlier.

Teal and whistling duck seasons

West and East zone line

The West Zone is the part of the state between the Texas line and a line running south on LA 79 from the Arkansas border to Homer, south on LA 9 to Arcadia, south on LA 147 to Hodge, south on US 167 to Lafayette, then south and east on US 90 to the Mississippi line. Everything else is the East Zone.

Daily bag limits

• Scaup are limited to 1 and mottled ducks are closed for the first 15 days of the season; after that the limits are 2 scaup and 1 mottled duck.
• On youth and veterans days before the season: 0 mottled ducks and 1 scaup. On the days after the season: 1 mottled duck and 2 scaup.
• Mergansers are in addition to the six ducks. Possession is three times the daily limit.

Youth and veterans days

• West Zone: Nov. 7 and Jan. 30.
• East Zone: Nov. 14 and Feb. 6.
• Youth 17 and under with hunter safety certification, accompanied by an adult 18 or older who may not hunt ducks or carry a firearm. The certification is waived for youth under 16 if the adult has hunter safety certification or a valid hunting license.
• Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and active duty military, including Guard and Reserve on active duty, with proof of service, a waterfowl license, HIP certification and a federal duck stamp.

Black-bellied whistling ducks

A separate season ran Oct. 3, 2026 to Oct. 11, 2026, new for 2026-27: 4 a day, sunrise to sunset, with a Black-bellied Whistling Duck Hunting Permit and a mandatory effort and harvest report between Oct. 12 and 26.

Shooting hours and public land

• Ducks, geese and teal: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
• New for 2026-27: waterfowl hunting closes at noon on all WMAs and public lands except Atchafalaya Delta and Pass-a-Loutre WMAs.
• Waterfowl sanctuaries on Biloxi, Boeuf and Russell Sage WMAs are closed from Nov. 1 through the end of the conservation order.

Light goose conservation order

Snow, blue and Ross's geese may be taken Dec. 7 to 18, during the break between duck splits, and Feb. 8 to March 7, with no bag or possession 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 Louisiana?

Nov. 14, 2026 in the West Zone and Nov. 21, 2026 in the East Zone. Youth and veterans hunt one week earlier in each zone.

When does Louisiana duck season close?

Jan. 24, 2027 in the West Zone and Jan. 31, 2027 in the East Zone. Both zones close Dec. 7 to 18 between splits.

Where is the line between the West and East duck zones?

The West Zone runs from the Texas line east to LA 79 from the Arkansas border to Homer, LA 9 to Arcadia, LA 147 to Hodge, US 167 to Lafayette, then US 90 south and east to the Mississippi line. The rest of the state is the East Zone.

Can you shoot mottled ducks in Louisiana?

Not during the first 15 days of the season. After that, one a day. On youth and veterans days before the season the limit is zero.

What time does duck hunting end on Louisiana WMAs?

Noon, on all WMAs and public lands except Atchafalaya Delta and Pass-a-Loutre WMAs. This rule is new for 2026-27.

Duck season in other states

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

Deer seasons are on the Louisiana deer season page.

Always check the LDWF rules for the WMA or refuge where you hunt.