Arkansas Duck Season
2026–2027

Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

Verified against AGFCUpdated Source: agfc.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Earliest opener
Nov 21

Statewide

Latest close
Jan 31

Statewide

Daily bag
6 ducks

Species limits apply

Possession
18 ducks

3× daily bag

Statewide opens in

58 days

Start your Arkansas log — free. MarshHQ counts every species against these limits as you log, and shows legal shooting light for the spot you’re hunting.

Email only. No card. The log stays free.

Season dates by zone

Duck season. Always confirm shooting hours with AGFC.

Statewide

60 days

  • Nov 21 – Nov 29, 2026
  • Dec 10 – Dec 23, 2026
  • Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Full boundary ↓

Arkansas does not divide waterfowl season by geographic zone; regulations apply statewide except for specific WMA-level variations (e.g., Bayou Meto and Black River WMAs have earlier mandatory departure times).

Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early teal, Early Canada goose, Canada goose (regular), White-fronted goose, Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Light goose conservation order

Coot

Statewide

  • Nov 21 – Nov 29, 2026
  • Dec 10 – Dec 23, 2026
  • Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Early teal

Statewide

  • Sep 19 – Sep 27, 2026

Early Canada goose

Statewide

  • Sep 1 – Oct 15, 2026

Canada goose (regular)

Statewide

  • Nov 21 – Nov 29, 2026
  • Dec 10 – Dec 23, 2026
  • Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

White-fronted goose

Statewide

  • Oct 31 – Nov 8, 2026
  • Nov 21 – Nov 29, 2026
  • Dec 10 – Dec 23, 2026
  • Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)

Statewide

  • Oct 31 – Nov 8, 2026
  • Nov 21 – Nov 29, 2026
  • Dec 10 – Dec 23, 2026
  • Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027

Light goose conservation order

Statewide

  • Feb 1 – Feb 5, 2027
  • Feb 8 – Apr 25, 2027

Youth & special days

Youth waterfowl

Statewide:
Feb 6 – Feb 7, 2027

Bag limits

Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:

American Black Duck2
American Coot15
Canada GooseEarly Canada goose5
Canada GooseCanada goose (regular)2
Canvasback2
Mallard4 (max 2 hens)
Mottled Duck1
Northern Pintail3
Redhead2
White-fronted Goose2
Wood Duck3

Light geese: 20 daily.

Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)

Light geese: No daily limit daily.

Light goose conservation order

Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession.

Scaup: 1 daily, 3 in possession.

What you need to hunt ducks in Arkansas

  1. Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp — Required in addition to a hunting license, HIP registration, and Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl statewide.

  2. Federal Duck Stamp

  3. Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.

Nonresidents also need

  1. Nonresident WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit — Required, in addition to the above, to hunt waterfowl on Arkansas wildlife management areas. Available as a 3-day or 30-day permit.

  • Hunters under 16 and holders of the nonexpiring Lifetime Resident Sportsman's Permit do not need the Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp.

Buy your permits ↗ (opens in a new tab)

License and permit names and exemptions are set by the state and can change without notice, and fees aren’t listed here for the same reason. MarshHQ is not responsible for errors or out-of-date information — confirm current requirements directly with AGFC (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.

Disclaimer: Bag limits and season dates are for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify with USFWS and your state wildlife agency before hunting. Dates and limits above reflect the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: agfc.com (opens in a new tab)

Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.