Missouri Duck Season 2026-27: North, Middle and South Zones
Missouri ducks, Oct. 26, 2026
Open now
No season open today
Next to open
Oct. 31
Duck season by zone
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | North Zone | Oct. 31, 2026 to Dec. 29, 2026 | Opens in 5 days |
| Regular Season (first segment) | Middle Zone | Nov. 7, 2026 to Dec. 13, 2026 | Opens in 12 days |
| Regular Season (first segment) | South Zone | Nov. 26, 2026 to Nov. 29, 2026 | Opens in 31 days |
| Regular Season (second segment) | South Zone | Dec. 7, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 | Opens in 42 days |
| Regular Season (second segment) | Middle Zone | Dec. 19, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 | Opens in 54 days |
The North Zone has one continuous season. The Middle and South zones each split theirs in two. Seasons cover ducks and coots.
Teal and youth days
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teal Season | Statewide | Sept. 12, 2026 to Sept. 20, 2026 | Closed |
| Youth Days | North Zone | Oct. 24, 2026 to Oct. 25, 2026 | Closed |
| Youth Days | Middle Zone | Oct. 31, 2026 to Nov. 1, 2026 | Opens in 5 days |
| Youth Days | South Zone | Nov. 21, 2026 to Nov. 22, 2026 | Opens in 26 days |
Daily bag limits
| Species | Daily limit |
|---|---|
| Total ducks | 6 |
| Mallards (hens) | 4 (2) |
| Scaup | 2, then 1 |
| Wood ducks | 3 |
| Pintails | 3 |
| Black ducks | 2 |
| Redheads | 2 |
| Canvasbacks | 2 |
| Hooded mergansers | 2 |
| Mottled ducks | 1 |
| Coots | 15 |
In Missouri the scaup limit drops late in the season: 2 a day for the first 45 days and 1 a day for the last 15. Duck possession is 18, coots 45.
Duck zones
- North Zone: north of a line from Lock and Dam 25 on the Illinois border west along Sandy Slough Road, Hwy. N, Hwy. 79, I-70, U.S. 63, U.S. 69 and U.S. 59 to Kansas.
- South Zone: south of a line from the Illinois border along Hwy. 74, Hwy. 25, U.S. 62, U.S. 65 and U.S. 54 to Kansas.
- Middle Zone: the rest of the state.
- Zone boundaries and season date formulas changed for the 2026-2030 seasons.
Teal season
Sept. 12-20, sunrise to sunset. Blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal, 6 a day and 18 in possession.
What changed for 2026-27
- The Migratory Bird Hunting Permit was replaced by separate resident and nonresident Migratory Bird Hunting Permits.
- Permit prices went up.
- Duck zone boundaries and season date formulas changed for 2026-2030.
Shooting hours
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset for ducks, coots and geese. Teal season starts at sunrise.
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 Missouri?
Oct. 31, 2026 in the North Zone, Nov. 7 in the Middle Zone and Nov. 26 in the South Zone.
When does duck season close in Missouri?
Dec. 29 in the North Zone, Jan. 10 in the Middle Zone and Jan. 31 in the South Zone.
How many scaup can you take in Missouri?
Two a day for the first 45 days of the season, then one a day for the last 15 days.
When are the Missouri youth duck days?
Oct. 24-25 in the North Zone, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 in the Middle Zone and Nov. 21-22 in the South Zone.
Duck season in other states
Texas · Pennsylvania · Michigan · Wisconsin · Ohio · Georgia · New York · Minnesota · Indiana · Virginia · North Carolina · Kentucky · Tennessee · Alabama.
Deer seasons are on the Missouri deer season page.
Source: Missouri Department of Conservation, Waterfowl and Duck Zones. Federal rules: 50 CFR 20.21 and 20.108.
Verified on Oct. 24, 2026.
Managed waterfowl areas have their own reservation and hunting rules. Check MDC before hunting.