Duck Season 2026–27 — Season Preview

How 2026–27 Seasons Are Authorized

Federal authorization for migratory game bird hunting changed in 2026. In a direct final rule published June 26, 2026 — "Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting," Federal Register document 2026-12951, effective August 25, 2026 — the USFWS stated that "The Service will issue a memorandum for migratory game bird hunting once every 3 years," issued "on or before February 28," and that the change "eliminates the need for subsequent annual Federal regulation promulgation and rulemaking." The memorandum is published by the Service rather than as an annual Federal Register frameworks rule. For 2026–27, the rule states the memorandum "will be available shortly after the publication of this rulemaking, no later than August 31." Individual states then set their own dates and zones within the federal authorization conditions.