Kentucky Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources.
- Earliest opener
- Nov 26
- Latest close
- Jan 31
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
Statewide
Statewide
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
Statewide opens in
63 days
Start your Kentucky log — free. MarshHQ counts every species against these limits as you log, and shows legal shooting light for the spot you’re hunting.
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Season dates by zone
Duck season. Always confirm shooting hours with KDFWR.
Statewide
60 days
- Nov 26 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
Kentucky uses a single statewide zone for ducks, coots, mergansers, and the regular-season goose framework (Canada/Cackling, white-fronted, brant, snow/Ross's). No North/South duck-zone split exists in Kentucky. The only zone-specific carve-out is the early-September Canada goose season, split into Western and Eastern Goose Zones (see those zones below).
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 26 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 19 – Sep 23, 2026
Early Canada goose
Eastern Goose Zone
- Sep 16 – Sep 30, 2026
Early Canada goose
Western Goose Zone
- Sep 1 – Sep 15, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Statewide
- Nov 26, 2026 – Feb 15, 2027
White-fronted goose
Statewide
- Nov 26, 2026 – Feb 15, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Statewide
- Nov 26, 2026 – Feb 15, 2027
Light goose conservation order
Statewide
- Feb 16 – Mar 31, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- Statewide:
- Nov 21, 2026 · Feb 14, 2027
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
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, then 2 daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in Kentucky
Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit — Required alongside a hunting license to hunt all migratory game birds, including waterfowl.
Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp)
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
- Licenses and permits are not required for youths under 12.
- Youth hunters ages 12–15 need only a Youth Hunting License — the state permit and Federal Duck Stamp are not required for them.
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 KDFWR (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 Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: fw.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.