Texas Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
- Earliest opener
- Oct 24
- Latest close
- Jan 31
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
High Plains Mallard Management Unit
High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
High Plains Mallard Management Unit opens in
31 days
Start your Texas 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 TPWD.
High Plains Mallard Management Unit
96 days
- Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026
- Oct 30, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
West of a line from the International Toll Bridge at Del Rio, north along U.S. Hwy. 277 to Abilene, State Hwy. 351 and State Hwy. 6 to Albany, and U.S. Hwy. 283 to Vernon, east along U.S. Hwy. 183 to the Texas-Oklahoma state line.
North Zone
74 days
- Nov 14 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Remainder of the state (TPWD verbatim) — i.e., everything not in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit or the South Zone.
South Zone
74 days
- Nov 7 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
South of a line from the International Bridge and U.S. 277 Spur at Del Rio, east along U.S. 90 to San Antonio, east along IH 10 to the Texas-Louisiana state line.
Other waterfowl seasonsEarly teal, Early Canada goose, Canada goose (regular), Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 19 – Sep 27, 2026
Early Canada goose
Eastern Zone (Goose)
- Sep 12 – Sep 27, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Eastern Zone (Goose)
- Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Canada goose (regular)
Western Zone (Goose)
- Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Eastern Zone (Goose)
- Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 19, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Western Zone (Goose)
- Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit:
- Oct 17 – Oct 18, 2026
- North Zone:
- Nov 7 – Nov 8, 2026
- South Zone:
- Oct 31 – Nov 1, 2026
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
Light geese: 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Scaup: 1 daily, 3 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in Texas
Texas Migratory Game Bird Endorsement — Required on the hunting license to hunt any migratory game bird — printed on the license, no physical stamp issued.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
- Hunters under 17 are not required to have this endorsement.
- Included automatically with the Lifetime Resident Combo Package and Lifetime Resident Hunting 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 TPWD (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 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-28. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: tpwd.texas.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.