Hunting Arkansas this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Arkansas is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through April 25, 2027, with 27 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Game and Fish Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
State waterfowl stamp required in addition to federal
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 10 – Dec 23 Second Split | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 31 Third Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · Scaup (species not specified, listed as 1 scaup) | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · Scaup (species combined) | 1 | 3 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Scaup (species combined) | 1 | 3 |
14 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. Up to 6 of unlisted species (including teal).
2Three-segment duck season; WMA shooting ends at noon except last day of season.
3Second split of three-segment duck season.
44 mallards (2 hens max), 1 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. Up to 6 of any unlisted species (including teal).
5On WMAs, shooting ends at noon except Jan. 31 (last day) when shooting is allowed until sunset.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | 6 | 18 |
1Blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal combined
2Shooting hours begin at sunrise (not 30 min before)
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 | Sep 1 – Oct 15 Early Canada Goose Season | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 31 – Nov 8 White-fronted Goose Early Segment | |||
| Oct 31 – Nov 8 White-fronted Goose Split 1 | |||
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 Regular Season First Split | |||
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 White-fronted Goose Split 2 | |||
| Dec 10 – Dec 23 Regular Season Second Split | |||
| Dec 10 – Dec 23 White-fronted Goose Split 3 | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 31 Regular Season Third Split | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 31 White-fronted Goose Split 4 |
1Canada Geese only
2Early season Canada goose only.
3White-fronted Goose only
4Additional early segment for white-fronted goose before main duck season opens.
5Canada Goose only for this listing; White-fronted Goose also open same dates (separate limit of 2/day, 6 possession)
6Canada Goose daily bag 2, possession 6 during regular season splits.
7White-fronted Goose only; daily bag 2, possession 6
8White-fronted Goose early segment before regular season.
9White-fronted Goose concurrent with duck season first split.
10White-fronted Goose concurrent with duck season second split.
11White-fronted Goose concurrent with duck season third split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Oct 31 – Nov 8 First Split | 20 | – |
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 Second Split | |||
| Dec 10 – Dec 23 Third Split | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 31 Fourth Split |
1Snow, Blue and Ross's Goose combined. No possession limit.
2No possession limit stated.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Feb 1 – Feb 5 First CO Segment | – | – |
| Feb 8 – Apr 25 Second CO Segment |
1Snow, Blue and Ross's Goose. No bag limit.
2Light Goose Conservation Order; see AGFC Light Goose CO page for special regulations.
3Light Goose Conservation Order continues after Youth/Veteran hunt weekend. See AGFC Light Goose CO page for special regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 10 – Dec 23 Second Split | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 31 Third Split |
1Coot season runs concurrently with duck season splits.
2Coots listed alongside duck season in 'Duck, Coot and Merganser' section.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 10 – Dec 23 Second Split | |||
| Dec 26 – Jan 31 Third Split |
1No more than 2 hooded mergansers within the 5-bird limit
2Merganser season concurrent with duck season splits.
3No more than 2 hooded mergansers in the daily bag of 5.
4Mergansers listed alongside duck season in 'Duck, Coot and Merganser' section.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 | 6 | 18 |
1Youths 15 and younger only. Mentor 21+ required if hunter education not completed (mentor may not hunt but may call). Same bag limits as regular duck/goose seasons.
2WMA General Use Permits not required for youth hunters. Hunting allowed until sunset on WMAs on these days.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 | 6 | 18 |
1Active duty military (including National Guard/Reserves on active duty) and military veterans; must carry DD214, Veteran Benefit Card, Retired Military I.D., Veteran Hunting License or Military I.D. card; same bag limits as regular duck/goose season
2WMA General Use Permits ARE required for this hunt. Hunting allowed 30 min before sunrise until sunset on WMAs.
Season dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 5, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.