Hunting Florida this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Florida is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through February 13, 2027, with 16 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Florida Waterfowl Permit required
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck Florida duck | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · 1 scaup Nov. 21–29; 2 scaup Jan. 12–31 and Youth/Veteran-Military days | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · 1 scaup Dec. 12–Jan. 11; 2 scaup Jan. 12–31 and Youth/Veteran-Military days | 1 | 3 |
| Sea Ducks (general) no more than 1 female eider · No more than 3 may be scoters, long-tailed ducks, or eiders | 4 | 12 |
16 ducks including: 4 mallards max (2 hens max), 4 sea ducks (3 max scoters/long-tailed/eiders, 1 max female eider), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck (Florida duck), 1 fulvous whistling-duck; 1 scaup Nov. 21–29
2Regular duck season first split
36 ducks including: 4 mallards max (2 hens max), 4 sea ducks (3 max scoters/long-tailed/eiders, 1 max female eider), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck (Florida duck), 1 fulvous whistling-duck; 1 scaup Dec. 12–Jan. 11; 2 scaup Jan. 12–31
4Regular duck season second split; scaup limit increases to 2 from Jan. 12
Hunting Florida’s season? Get the free app.
Drop your email and we’ll send the free BlindBook app — log hunts, ID birds, track your bag limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 23 September Teal/Wood Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
1Teal and wood duck only; no more than 2 wood ducks
2Only teal and wood duck permitted during this segment
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 5 – Sep 27 Early Canada Goose | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Regular Split | |||
| Dec 1 – Jan 30 Second Regular Split |
1Canada goose only; requires Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 | – |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
1No possession limit
2Snow, blue and Ross' geese; requires Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Nov 9 Early Common Gallinule Season | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | |||
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
1Coot season first split
2Common gallinule (moorhen); taking purple gallinule is prohibited
3Coot season second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
1Common, red-breasted and hooded mergansers
2Requires Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 14 – Nov 14 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days | – | – |
| Feb 13 – Feb 13 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day - February |
1Youth 15 and younger only, supervised by non-hunting adult 18+; bag/possession limits same as regular season for ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots and common gallinules
2Two dates: Nov. 14, 2026 and Feb. 13, 2027; this row covers Nov. 14 only
3Second of two youth waterfowl days; scaup limit is 2 on youth days
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 Veterans and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days | – | – |
1Veterans and active-duty Armed Forces members only (including National Guard and Reserves); bag/possession limits same as regular season for ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots and common gallinules; 2 scaup
2Feb. 6–7, 2027; scaup limit is 2 on Veteran/Military days per duck bag limit footnote
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 July 16, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.