Virginia Duck Season 2026–27

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

Virginia’s 2026–27 duck season has three splits. The short opener, October 9–12, is already done. The next split runs Wednesday, November 18 – Sunday, November 29, 2026, covering Thanksgiving week, and the late split runs December 19, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Youth and veteran days are October 24 (done) and February 6, 2027. All dates and limits come from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources migratory game bird regulations.

Virginia Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance

Virginia Duck Zones

Virginia uses one set of duck dates statewide. Zones only matter for September teal (east or west of I-95) and for Canada geese. The Atlantic Population goose zone east of the Blue Ridge has tighter goose dates and limits than the Resident Population zone to the west, per Virginia DWR.

Virginia Duck Bag Limits

The daily bag is 6 ducks, with these limits from Virginia DWR:

Possession is three times the daily bag, and you can’t take more than one daily limit in a single day. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Youth, Veteran and Military Days

The last youth and veteran day is Saturday, February 6, 2027, a week after the regular season closes. Youth and veterans can hunt ducks, mergansers, coots, dark geese and tundra swans that day, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2026–27 season memo.

Licenses, Stamps and HIP

You need a Virginia hunting license, a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp, HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp if you’re 16 or older. Check exemptions and prices on Virginia DWR licensing.

Where and When to Hunt Ducks in Virginia

Virginia gives you three very different duck hunts in one state. The Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore hold black ducks, divers and sea ducks. Back Bay and the tidal rivers hold puddle ducks. West of I-95, beaver ponds and mountain rivers are wood duck and mallard water.

• Nov. 18–29 split: good timing for wood ducks, gadwall and the first push of divers on the Bay.
• Late split: the January cold is when big numbers of black ducks, canvasbacks, buffleheads and sea ducks build on the Bay.
• Sea ducks: Virginia DWR describes a new Special Sea Duck Area on its migratory game bird page, so check the boundaries before you run offshore.

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.

Virginia Duck Season FAQ

When does duck season open in Virginia in November 2026?

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026. That split runs through Sunday, Nov. 29.

When does duck season end in Virginia?

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

How many black ducks can I shoot in Virginia?

Two per day, except Oct. 9–12, when black ducks were closed.

What is the scaup limit in Virginia?

One per day through Jan. 11, 2027, and two per day Jan. 12–31.

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

• Virginia Deer Season 2026–27
• Georgia Duck Season 2026–27
• North 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 Virginia DWR. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with Virginia DWR before you hunt.

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