Alabama Duck Season 2026–27

Updated October 27, 2026, with official 2026–27 season dates.

Alabama’s 2026–27 duck season opens with a two-day Thanksgiving split, November 27–28, 2026. The main season runs December 5, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Youth, active military and veteran hunters get November 21, 2026 and February 6, 2027. Dates come from Outdoor Alabama and the 2026–27 Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide.

Alabama Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance

Alabama Duck Zones

Alabama runs its duck seasons statewide, with no zones. Outdoor Alabama notes that some guide details were printed before federal guidelines were final, so check the state waterfowl season page for updates before you go.

Alabama Duck Bag Limits

The daily bag is 6 ducks, with these limits from Outdoor Alabama:

Under the federal Mississippi Flyway rules, possession is three times the daily bag. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Youth, Veteran and Military Days

On November 21, 2026 and February 6, 2027, youth, active military and veteran hunters can hunt with the same shooting hours, bag limits and legal equipment as the regular season, per Outdoor Alabama. The November day is a week before the Thanksgiving split, so it’s the first crack at birds in Alabama this fall.

Licenses, Stamps and HIP

Hunters 16 and older need an Alabama hunting license, an Alabama state duck stamp, HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Check the Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide for exemptions.

Where and When to Hunt Ducks in Alabama

Alabama’s best duck hunting is in the north and the far southwest:

• Tennessee River lakes (Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson and Pickwick): gadwall, wigeon, ring-necks and mallards. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge holds big numbers of wintering ducks.
• Mobile-Tensaw Delta: wood ducks, teal and divers in the bays.
• West Alabama ag and beaver swamps: wood ducks early, mallards after cold fronts.

With only two days around Thanksgiving, most of the season happens in December and January. Plan your big trips for after Christmas, when the cold fronts move birds down the flyway.

Planning Around Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, 2026. See what else is open that week in our Thanksgiving hunting guide, and sharpen up before opening day with 5 pro tips from a wingshooting expert.

Alabama Duck Season FAQ

When does duck season open in Alabama in 2026?

The youth, military and veteran day is Nov. 21. The regular season opens Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, for two days, then reopens Dec. 5.

When does Alabama duck season close?

Jan. 31, 2027. The last youth, military and veteran day is Feb. 6, 2027.

What is the Alabama duck limit?

Six per day, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 3 pintails, 2 canvasbacks and 1 scaup.

What are duck shooting hours in Alabama?

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Gear Up for the Season

Every Hunt One More® design is built around faith, service and time in the field. Layer up in The Lord Is My Guide® tees and hoodies for those cold mornings in the blind, and put a Hunt One More decal on the truck or the boat before opening day.

Trust the process. Trust the hunt. And when the birds are still working, hunt one more.

Keep Reading on Camp Talk

• Alabama Deer Season 2026–27
• Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27
• South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
• Florida Duck Season 2026–27
• 5 Pro Tips From A Wingshooting Expert
• Thanksgiving Hunting 2026: What’s Open

Season dates and bag limits come from Outdoor Alabama. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with Outdoor Alabama before you hunt.

More from Camp Talk: Southeast duck season dates 2026–27