Virginia Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
- Earliest opener
- Oct 9
- Latest close
- Jan 31
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
Statewide
Statewide
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
Statewide opens in
15 days
Start your Virginia 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. Always confirm shooting hours with Virginia DWR.
Statewide
60 days
- Oct 9 – Oct 12, 2026
- Nov 18 – Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early Canada goose, Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Brant, Swan
Coot
Statewide
- Oct 9, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Early Canada goose
Statewide
- Sep 1 – Sep 25, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Statewide
- Nov 25, 2026 – Mar 10, 2027
Brant
Statewide
- Dec 19 – Dec 31, 2026
- Jan 15 – Jan 31, 2027
Swan
Statewide
- Nov 15, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- Statewide:
- Oct 24, 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 Virginia
Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp — Required to hunt or take ducks, geese, brant, or swans. Same requirement for resident and nonresident.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
- Anyone exempt from Virginia hunting license requirements (including qualifying landowners) is also exempt from this stamp — the Federal Duck Stamp is still required of anyone 16 or older.
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 MarshHQ is not responsible for errors or out-of-date information — confirm current requirements directly with Virginia DWR (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.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 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: dwr.virginia.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.