North Carolina Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
- Earliest opener
- Oct 15
- Latest close
- Jan 30
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
Inland Duck Zone
Inland Duck Zone
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
Inland Duck Zone opens in
22 days
Start your North Carolina 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 NCWRC.
Coastal Duck Zone
69 days
- Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2026
- Nov 7 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 17, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027
The eastern/tidewater portion of North Carolina, generally east of U.S. Highway 17 to the coast. (Exact line in the NCWRC 2026-27 Regulations Digest.)
Inland Duck Zone
69 days
- Oct 15 – Oct 17, 2026
- Nov 7 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
The western/interior portion of North Carolina, generally west of U.S. Highway 17. (Exact metes-and-bounds are in the NCWRC 2026-27 Regulations Digest, published Aug 2026 - the signed proclamation does not print the full line.)
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early teal, Early Canada goose, Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Brant, Swan
Coot
Coastal Duck Zone
- Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2026
- Nov 7 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 17, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027
Coot
Inland Duck Zone
- Oct 15 – Oct 17, 2026
- Nov 7 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027
Early teal
Coastal Duck Zone
- Sep 10 – Sep 19, 2026
Early Canada goose
Statewide
- Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Statewide
- Nov 7, 2026 – Mar 10, 2027
Brant
Statewide
- Dec 28, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027
Swan
Statewide
- Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- Statewide:
- Dec 5, 2026 · Feb 6, 2027
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
Light geese: 25 daily.
Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Scaup: 1, then 2 daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in North Carolina
North Carolina Hunting License with Waterfowl Privilege — The Waterfowl Privilege is an add-on required alongside a base hunting license for most hunters.
Federal Duck Stamp — Required for waterfowl hunters, signed across the face.
Harvest Information Program (HIP) Certification — Free; required per state hunted — a HIP number from another state does not cover NC.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
- Residents holding a Sportsman's license (lifetime, disabled, or annual) or a Comprehensive Hunting license (lifetime or annual) already include the Waterfowl Privilege.
- Nonresidents are exempt from the separate Waterfowl Privilege fee only if they hold a Lifetime Sportsman's license.
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 NCWRC (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 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: ncwildlife.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.