Missouri Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- Earliest opener
- Oct 31
- Latest close
- Jan 31
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
North Zone
South Zone
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
North Zone opens in
37 days
Start your Missouri 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, by zone. Always confirm shooting hours with MDC.
Middle Zone
60 days
- Nov 7 – Dec 13, 2026
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
The remainder of Missouri not included in other zones.
North Zone
60 days
- Oct 31 – Dec 29, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
That portion of Missouri north of a line running west from the Illinois border at Lock and Dam 25 to Sandy Slough Road East; west on Sandy Slough Road East to Sandy Slough Road North; west on Sandy Slough Road North to Lincoln County Hwy. N; west on Lincoln County Hwy. N to Mo. Hwy. 79; south on Mo. Hwy. 79 to Mo. Hwy. 47; west on Mo. Hwy. 47 to I-70; west on I-70 to U.S. Hwy. 63; north on U.S. Hwy. 63 to U.S. Hwy. 24; west on U.S. Hwy. 24 to Mo. Hwy. 10; west on Mo. Hwy. 10 to U.S. Hwy. 69; north on U.S. Hwy. 69 to Mo. Hwy. 116; west on Mo. Hwy. 116 to U.S. Hwy. 59; south on U.S. Hwy. 59 to the Kansas border.
South Zone
60 days
- Nov 26 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
That portion of Missouri south of a line running west from the Illinois border on MO Hwy 74 to MO Hwy 25; south on MO Hwy 25 to U.S. Hwy 62; west on U.S. Hwy 62 to MO Hwy 53; north on MO Hwy 53 to MO Hwy 51; north on MO Hwy 51 to U.S. Hwy 60; west on U.S. Hwy 60 to MO Hwy 21; north on MO Hwy 21 to MO Hwy 72; west on MO Hwy 72 to MO Hwy 32; west on MO Hwy 32 to U.S. Hwy 65; north on U.S. Hwy 65 to U.S. Hwy 54; west on U.S. Hwy 54 to the Kansas border.
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
Middle Zone
- Nov 7 – Dec 13, 2026
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Coot
North Zone
- Oct 31 – Dec 29, 2026
Coot
South Zone
- Nov 26 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 12 – Sep 20, 2026
Early Canada goose
Statewide
- Oct 3 – Oct 10, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Statewide
- Nov 11, 2026 – Feb 6, 2027
White-fronted goose
Statewide
- Nov 11, 2026 – Feb 6, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Statewide
- Nov 11, 2026 – Feb 6, 2027
Light goose conservation order
Statewide
- Feb 7 – Apr 30, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- North Zone:
- Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026
- Middle Zone:
- Oct 31 – Nov 1, 2026
- South Zone:
- Nov 21 – Nov 22, 2026
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
Scaup: 2 for the first 45 days, then 1 for the last 15 days daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in Missouri
Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit — Required for every waterfowl hunter age 16 and older.
Federal Duck Stamp — Required for hunters 16 and older, signed across the face.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
Residents also need
Small Game Hunting Permit
Nonresidents also need
Nonresident Small Game Hunting Permit — Available as an annual or daily permit.
- Hunters age 15 and younger need none of the above if they carry a valid Hunter Education Certificate Card or hunt with a properly licensed adult.
- Resident landowners hunting their own property don't need the Small Game Hunting Permit — the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Duck Stamp are still required.
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 MDC (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.
Where to hunt in Missouri
Public conservation areas with managed or open waterfowl hunting, grouped by the zone whose season dates apply there. Each links to MDC’s own page for that area — access rules, blind draws, and closures change, so check before you go.
North Zone
- B. K. Leach Memorial Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Lincoln County
- Bob Brown Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Holt County
- Fountain Grove Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Linn and Livingston counties
- Nodaway Valley Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Holt and Andrew counties
- Ted Shanks Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Pike County
Middle Zone
- Duck Creek Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Bollinger, Stoddard, and Wayne counties
- Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Boone County
- August A. Busch Jr. Memorial Wetlands at Four Rivers Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Vernon and Bates counties
- Grand Pass Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Saline County
- Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)St. Charles County
- Otter Slough Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Stoddard County
- Schell-Osage Conservation Area (opens in a new tab)Vernon and St. Clair countiesCurrently closed to all uses during a multi-year wetland and lake renovation project.
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 Missouri Department of Conservation’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: mdc.mo.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.