Louisiana Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Earliest opener
- Nov 14
- Latest close
- Jan 31
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
West Zone
East Zone
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
West Zone opens in
51 days
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Season dates by zone
Duck season, by zone. Always confirm shooting hours with LDWF.
East Zone
16 days
- Nov 21 – Dec 6, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
The remainder of the state — i.e., all of Louisiana east of the West Zone line described on that zone's record. Under the 2026-30 configuration this is the larger zone by area, encompassing the New Orleans metro area, the Mississippi River Delta, the Florida Parishes, and central/northeast Louisiana.
East Zone
44 days
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
The remainder of the state — i.e., all of Louisiana east of the West Zone line described on that zone's record. Under the 2026-30 configuration this is the larger zone by area, encompassing the New Orleans metro area, the Mississippi River Delta, the Florida Parishes, and central/northeast Louisiana.
West Zone
23 days
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
That portion of the state between the Texas state line and the line going south on Louisiana Highway 79 from the Arkansas border to Homer; then south on Louisiana Highway 9 to Arcadia; then south on Louisiana Highway 147 to Hodge; then south on U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette; then south and east on U.S. Highway 90 to the Mississippi state line.
West Zone
37 days
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
That portion of the state between the Texas state line and the line going south on Louisiana Highway 79 from the Arkansas border to Homer; then south on Louisiana Highway 9 to Arcadia; then south on Louisiana Highway 147 to Hodge; then south on U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette; then south and east on U.S. Highway 90 to the Mississippi state line.
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early teal, Canada goose (regular), White-fronted goose, Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Light goose conservation order
Coot
East Zone
- Nov 21 – Dec 6, 2026
Coot
East Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Coot
West Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Coot
West Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 19 – Sep 27, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
East Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
East Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Canada goose (regular)
West Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
West Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
White-fronted goose
East Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
White-fronted goose
East Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
White-fronted goose
West Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
White-fronted goose
West Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
East Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
East Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
West Zone
- Nov 14 – Dec 6, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
West Zone
- Dec 19, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Light goose conservation order
East Zone
- Dec 7 – Dec 18, 2026
Light goose conservation order
East Zone
- Feb 8 – Mar 7, 2027
Light goose conservation order
West Zone
- Dec 7 – Dec 18, 2026
Light goose conservation order
West Zone
- Feb 8 – Mar 7, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- East Zone:
- Nov 14, 2026
- East Zone:
- Feb 6, 2027
- West Zone:
- Nov 7, 2026
- West Zone:
- Jan 30, 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 for the first 15 days, then 2 for the last 45 days daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in Louisiana
Federal Duck Stamp — Required for hunters 16 and older, signed across the face.
HIP registration — Harvest Information Program registration for Louisiana.
Louisiana hunting license — Plus any state waterfowl permit or stamp the agency requires.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
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 LDWF (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 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: wlf.louisiana.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.