Texas Duck Season 2026-27: Dates by Zone and Bag Limits

Duck season dates by zone

Three duck zones

Texas sets duck seasons in three zones: the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, the South Zone and the North Zone. The High Plains unit lies west of a line from Del Rio north along U.S. 277 to Abilene, then by State Highways 351 and 6 to Albany, U.S. 283 to Vernon and U.S. 183 to the Oklahoma line. The South Zone lies south of a line from Del Rio east along U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then east along IH 10 to the Louisiana line. The North Zone is the rest of the state outside the High Plains unit. See the TPWD duck zone map for the exact lines.

Split seasons

• High Plains: Oct. 24, 2026 to Oct. 25, 2026, then Oct. 30, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027.
• North Zone: Nov. 14, 2026 to Nov. 29, 2026, then Dec. 5, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027.
• South Zone: Nov. 7, 2026 to Nov. 29, 2026, then Dec. 12, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027.

Dusky duck dates

Dusky ducks (mottled, Mexican, black and their hybrids) look alike, so they are off limits during the first five days of the season in each zone. The daily limit is one.

TPWD lists the High Plains dusky duck season as opening Oct. 31, 2026. Counting the first five days of that zone's regular season (Oct. 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1) would put the opener on Nov. 2. This page shows the date TPWD publishes; confirm with TPWD before hunting dusky ducks in the High Plains unit that week.

Daily bag limit

Six ducks in the aggregate, mergansers included, with no more than:

The September teal limit is 6 teal in the aggregate. The coot limit is 15. The possession limit is three times the daily bag.

Youth and veterans days

Youth hunters and veterans and active duty military have their own days before the regular season: Oct. 17, 2026 to Oct. 18, 2026 in the High Plains, Oct. 31, 2026 to Nov. 1, 2026 in the South Zone and Nov. 7, 2026 to Nov. 8, 2026 in the North Zone.

Falconry

After the regular season, falconers can hunt ducks in the North and South zones from Feb. 1, 2027 to Feb. 21, 2027, with a limit of 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly or in the aggregate.

Shooting hours

Ducks may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Licenses and stamps

• A Texas hunting license, plus a driver's license or ID if you are 17 or older.
• HIP certification, shown as "HIP" on your license.
• A Migratory Game Bird Endorsement if you are 17 or older.
• A Federal Duck Stamp if you are 16 or older.

Licenses are sold by TPWD at tpwd.texas.gov.

Frequently asked questions

When does duck season start in Texas?

The regular season opens Oct. 24, 2026 in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, Nov. 7, 2026 in the South Zone and Nov. 14, 2026 in the North Zone. The September teal season runs Sept. 19, 2026 to Sept. 27, 2026 statewide.

When does duck season end in Texas?

The regular season closes Jan. 31, 2027 in all three zones. A falconry season follows in the North and South zones, Feb. 1, 2027 to Feb. 21, 2027.

Why is duck season split in Texas?

The North and South zones each have two segments with a break in between. In 2026-27 the North Zone is closed between Nov. 29, 2026 and Dec. 5, 2026, and the South Zone between Nov. 29, 2026 and Dec. 12, 2026.

What is the daily bag limit for ducks in Texas?

Six ducks in the aggregate, including mergansers, with no more than 5 mallards (only 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup and 1 dusky duck. The possession limit is three times the daily bag.

When can I shoot dusky ducks in Texas?

Dusky ducks (mottled, Mexican, black and their hybrids) are off limits during the first five days of the season in each zone. The limit is one per day.

What are legal shooting hours for ducks in Texas?

From one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

What do I need to hunt ducks in Texas?

A Texas hunting license, HIP certification, a Migratory Game Bird Endorsement if you are 17 or older, and a Federal Duck Stamp if you are 16 or older.

Duck season in other states

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

Deer seasons are on the Texas deer season page, and turkey seasons on the Texas turkey season page.

Always check the TPWD regulations and federal rules before hunting waterfowl.