Florida Duck Season 2026–27
Updated October 27, 2026, with official 2026–27 season dates.
Florida’s 2026–27 duck season opens Saturday, November 21, 2026, and runs in two splits: November 21–29 and December 12, 2026 – January 31, 2027. The first youth day is November 14. Youth, veteran and active military hunters also get days in February. Dates and limits come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) migratory bird regulations.
Chasing deer in Florida this season too? See our Florida Hunting Season Dates 2026–27 (Deer & Turkey) guide for archery, gun and doe dates.
Florida Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Early teal and wood duck | Sept. 19–23, 2026 |
| Youth waterfowl days | Nov. 14, 2026 and Feb. 13, 2027 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, first split | Nov. 21–29, 2026 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, second split | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Veteran and active military days | Feb. 6–7, 2027 |
Florida Duck Zones
Florida runs one statewide duck season, with a few local exceptions from FWC:
- Leon County and Lake Miccosukee: waterfowl hunting is allowed only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the regular season, plus Nov. 26–27, Dec. 24–25, Jan. 1 and Jan. 18.
- Lake Talquin and the Ochlockonee River: open every day of the regular season.
- WMAs: many set their own waterfowl days and hours, so check the area brochure first.
Florida Duck Bag Limits
The daily bag is 6 ducks, with these limits from FWC:
| Species | Daily limit |
|---|---|
| Mallards | 4 (no more than 2 hens) |
| Mottled ducks (Florida duck) | 1 |
| Wood ducks | 3 |
| Redheads | 2 |
| Black ducks | 2 |
| Canvasbacks | 2 |
| Pintails | 3 |
| Fulvous whistling ducks | 1 |
| Scaup | 1 Nov. 21–29 and Dec. 12 – Jan. 11; 2 Jan. 12–31 and on youth and veteran days |
| Sea ducks | 4 (no more than 3 scoters, long-tailed ducks or eiders; 1 hen eider) |
| Early teal and wood duck season | 6 combined, no more than 2 wood ducks |
Possession is three times the daily bag. Mottled duck and mallard hybrids don’t get their own limit: they count as either a mallard or a mottled duck. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Youth, Veteran and Military Days
Youth days are November 14, 2026 and February 13, 2027. Veteran and active military days are February 6–7, 2027. On those days, you can hunt ducks, mergansers, coots, common gallinules, Canada geese and light geese, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2026–27 memo. The scaup limit goes up to 2 on youth and veteran days, according to FWC.
Licenses, Stamps and HIP
To hunt ducks in Florida, you need a Florida hunting license, a free migratory bird permit (that’s your HIP; not required under 16 or over 65), a $5 Florida waterfowl permit and the Federal Duck Stamp, according to FWC. Hunting a WMA also needs a management area permit.
Where and When to Hunt Ducks in Florida
Florida’s duck hunting is different from the rest of the South. Ring-necks, teal, mottled ducks and wood ducks make up most bags, and big-water diver hunts are a classic on the lakes.
- Big lakes: Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee Chain and Lake George hold ring-necks, scaup and coots.
- Upper St. Johns marshes: mottled ducks, teal and some pintails and wigeon.
- North Florida rivers and the Panhandle: wood ducks, and mallards after hard cold fronts to the north.
- Water temps: the first week of the second split can feel more like a teal hunt than a winter hunt, so pack bug spray along with your waders.
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.
Florida Duck Season FAQ
When does duck season start in Florida in 2026?
The youth day is Nov. 14. The regular season opens Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026.
When does Florida duck season end?
Jan. 31, 2027. Veteran and military days follow on Feb. 6–7, and the last youth day is Feb. 13.
How many mottled ducks can you shoot in Florida?
One per day.
What permits do I need to duck hunt in Florida?
A hunting license, a free migratory bird permit, the $5 Florida waterfowl permit and the Federal Duck Stamp.
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.
Duck Season Dates in Other States
Hunting more than one state this winter? Here are our other 2026–27 duck season guides.
- Southeast Duck Season Dates 2026–27: All 10 States
- Alabama Duck Season 2026–27
- Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27
- Georgia Duck Season 2026–27
- Louisiana Duck Season 2026–27
- Mississippi Duck Season 2026–27
- North Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
- South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
- Tennessee Duck Season 2026–27
- Virginia Duck Season 2026–27
Keep Reading on Camp Talk
- Florida Turkey Season 2027: Spring and Fall Dates
- Florida Hunting Season Dates 2026–27
- Louisiana Duck Season 2026–27
- Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27
- South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
- 5 Pro Tips From A Wingshooting Expert
- Thanksgiving Hunting 2026: What’s Open
Season dates and bag limits come from FWC. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with FWC before you hunt.
More from Camp Talk: Southeast duck season dates 2026–27