Mississippi Duck Season 2026–27
Updated October 27, 2026, with official 2026–27 season dates.
Mississippi’s 2026–27 duck season opens Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving. It runs November 27–29, December 4–6 and December 9, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Youth, veteran and active military hunters get February 6–7, 2027. The dates were set by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and reported by the Clarion Ledger. License and stamp rules come from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP).
Chasing deer in Mississippi this season too? See our Mississippi Deer Season 2026–27 guide for archery, gun and doe dates.
Mississippi Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Early teal | Sept. 19–27, 2026 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, segment 1 | Nov. 27–29, 2026 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, segment 2 | Dec. 4–6, 2026 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, segment 3 | Dec. 9, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Youth, veteran and active military days | Feb. 6–7, 2027 |
| Canada, snow, white-fronted geese and brant | Nov. 13–29, Dec. 4–6 and Dec. 9 – Jan. 31 |
Mississippi Duck Zones
Mississippi uses one set of duck dates statewide. The early teal season stays at nine days because of lower blue-winged teal numbers, and other waterfowl seasons and limits are unchanged from last year, according to the Clarion Ledger.
Mississippi Duck Bag Limits
The daily bag is 6 ducks, with these limits reported by the Clarion Ledger:
| Species | Daily limit |
|---|---|
| Mallards | 4 (no more than 2 hens) |
| Wood ducks | 3 |
| Pintails | 3 |
| Canvasbacks | 2 |
| Redheads | 2 |
| Black ducks | 2 |
| Mottled ducks | 1 |
| Scaup | 1 per day Nov. 27–29, Dec. 4–6 and Dec. 9–17; 2 per day Dec. 18 – Jan. 31 |
| Mergansers | 5 (no more than 2 hooded) |
| Coots | 15 |
| Early teal | 6 |
Possession is three times the daily bag under the federal Mississippi Flyway framework from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Youth, Veteran and Military Days
February 6–7, 2027 is for youth, veterans and active military, with the same bag limits as the regular season. Youth under 16 don’t need a license or stamps, but they must be with a properly licensed adult, per MDWFP.
Licenses, Stamps and HIP
Waterfowl hunters 16 through 65 need at least a small game hunting license (Sportsman and All-Game licenses also work), a Mississippi waterfowl stamp, a Federal Duck Stamp and HIP certification, according to MDWFP. Physical stamps must be signed in ink. Hunters over 65 and exempt landowners still need both waterfowl stamps.
Where and When to Hunt Ducks in Mississippi
The Delta is the heart of Mississippi duck hunting: flooded rice and soybean fields, catfish ponds and green-timber brakes along the river. The rest of the state has good wood duck hunting in beaver swamps and creek bottoms, plus diver hunting on the big reservoirs.
- Watch the water: Mississippi borders drought-hit Arkansas, so flooded habitat may be thin early. If rain comes late, the birds will stack up on whatever water is available.
- Mallard numbers are down: the latest breeding survey put mallards at 5.9 million, 26% below the long-term average, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Gadwall, wigeon and green-winged teal are still above average, so expect mixed bags.
- Public land: MDWFP WMAs and the Delta national wildlife refuges hold permit and draw hunts. Check each area’s rules before you go.
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.
Mississippi Duck Season FAQ
When does duck season start in Mississippi in 2026?
Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.
What are the Mississippi duck season dates for 2026–27?
Nov. 27–29, Dec. 4–6 and Dec. 9, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027, plus youth and veteran days Feb. 6–7.
What is the scaup limit in Mississippi?
One per day through Dec. 17, then two per day Dec. 18 – Jan. 31.
Do I need a Mississippi duck stamp?
Yes, if you are 16 or older, along with a Federal Duck Stamp and HIP certification.
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
- Florida Duck Season 2026–27
- Georgia Duck Season 2026–27
- Louisiana 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
- Mississippi Deer Season 2026–27
- South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
- Florida Duck Season 2026–27
- Alabama Duck Season 2026–27
- 5 Pro Tips From A Wingshooting Expert
- Thanksgiving Hunting 2026: What’s Open
Season dates and bag limits come from MDWFP. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with MDWFP before you hunt.
More from Camp Talk: Southeast duck season dates 2026–27