North Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
Updated October 27, 2026, with official 2026–27 season dates.
North Carolina’s 2026–27 duck season is already underway. The short October splits are done, and the main season reopens statewide on Saturday, November 7, 2026. From there it runs November 7–28, then reopens December 17 (coastal) or December 18 (inland) through January 30, 2027. Youth and veteran days are December 5 and February 6. Dates come from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission 2026–27 migratory bird proclamation.
North Carolina Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance
| Season | Inland Duck Zone | Coastal Duck Zone |
|---|---|---|
| September teal (east of U.S. 17 only) | Sept. 10–19, 2026 | Sept. 10–19, 2026 |
| October split | Oct. 15–17, 2026 | Oct. 23–24, 2026 |
| November split | Nov. 7–28, 2026 | Nov. 7–28, 2026 |
| Late split | Dec. 18, 2026 – Jan. 30, 2027 | Dec. 17, 2026 – Jan. 30, 2027 |
| Youth and veteran/military days | Dec. 5, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027 | Dec. 5, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027 |
North Carolina Duck Zones
North Carolina has two duck zones, Inland and Coastal. Only the October split and the start of the late split are different; the November split and closing day are the same. Bag limits are the same in both zones. Check the NCWRC zone map in the regulations digest if you hunt near the line.
North Carolina Duck Bag Limits
The daily bag is 6 ducks, with these limits from the NCWRC proclamation:
| Species | Daily limit |
|---|---|
| Mallards | 4 (no more than 2 hens) |
| Wood ducks | 3 |
| Pintails | 3 |
| Redheads | 2 |
| Canvasbacks | 2 |
| Black ducks | 2 (closed until Nov. 21) |
| Mottled ducks | 1 (closed until Nov. 21) |
| Fulvous whistling ducks | 1 |
| Scaup | 1 before Jan. 8; 2 from Jan. 8 on |
| Sea ducks | 4 total (no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders with 1 hen, or 3 long-tailed ducks) |
| Harlequin ducks | Closed |
| Mergansers | 5 (no more than 2 hooded) |
| Coots | 15 |
The black duck and mottled duck rule is the one that trips people up: neither can be shot until November 21, even though the season opens November 7. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service season memo confirms the same closure.
Youth, Veteran and Military Days
Youth 15 and younger can hunt with an adult 18 or older on December 5 and February 6. Veterans and active-duty service members, including National Guard and Reserves on active duty, can hunt the same days if they’re licensed, HIP-certified and carry a federal duck stamp. Both days cover ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans (permit required), mergansers and coots, according to the NCWRC proclamation. The December 5 day lands in the gap between splits, so the birds have had a week of rest.
Licenses, Stamps and HIP
You need a North Carolina hunting license, the state waterfowl privilege, HIP certification and a Federal Duck Stamp if you’re 16 or older. Buy them through the NCWRC licensing site before your first hunt.
Where and When to Hunt Ducks in North Carolina
North Carolina has two very different kinds of duck hunting. Out east, Currituck, Pamlico and the Outer Banks sounds hold divers, puddle ducks and sea ducks. Inland, beaver ponds, reservoirs and Piedmont creeks hold wood ducks and mallards.
- November split: wood ducks and early migrators inland; divers start building on the sounds.
- Late split (mid-December – January): the best sound and big-water hunting of the year, especially after hard northern cold fronts.
- Sea ducks: scoters and long-tailed ducks count toward the 6-duck total, so keep track if you hunt the coast.
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.
North Carolina Duck Season FAQ
Is duck season open in North Carolina right now?
The October splits are over. The season reopens statewide on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, and runs through Nov. 28.
When does duck season end in North Carolina?
Jan. 30, 2027, in both zones. Youth and veteran hunters get one more day on Feb. 6.
Can I shoot a black duck in North Carolina in November?
Not until Nov. 21. Black ducks and mottled ducks are closed until then.
What is the scaup limit in North Carolina?
One per day before Jan. 8, 2027, and two per day from Jan. 8 on.
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 (coming Nov. 14)
- Alabama Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 10)
- Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 5)
- Florida Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 8)
- Georgia Duck Season 2026–27
- Louisiana Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 3)
- Mississippi Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 12)
- South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 7)
- Tennessee Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 13)
- Virginia Duck Season 2026–27 (coming Nov. 1)
Keep Reading on Camp Talk
- Georgia Duck Season 2026–27
- 5 Pro Tips From A Wingshooting Expert
- Thanksgiving Hunting 2026: What’s Open
Season dates and bag limits come from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before you hunt.
More from Camp Talk: North Carolina deer season 2026–27 · Southeast duck season dates 2026–27