Read from Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on August 20, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you hunt.
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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 18 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
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 6 ducks including: 4 mallards (2 hen 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. | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 6 ducks including: 4 mallards (2 hen 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. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Sea Ducks (general) no more than 3 may be scoters, long-tailed ducks, or eiders; no more than 1 may be a female eider | 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 and Dec. 12–Jan. 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · 1 scaup Dec. 12–Jan. 11; 2 scaup Jan. 12–31 and during Youth and Veteran/Military hunt days | 1 | 3 |
16 ducks including: 4 mallards (2 hen 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.
2Leon County and Lake Miccosukee: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays only plus additional days Nov. 26-27. Gulf of America in Hernando County (north of Raccoon Point, east of Saddle Key): Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays only.
36 ducks including: 4 mallards (2 hen 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.
4Leon County and Lake Miccosukee: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays only plus additional days Dec. 24-25, 31, Jan. 1 and 18. Lake Talquin and Ochlockonee River open every day. Gulf of America in Hernando County: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays only.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 23 September Teal & Wood Duck Season | 6 Teal and wood duck only; only 2 can be wood ducks | 18 |
1Teal and wood duck only; only 2 can be wood ducks
2Teal and wood duck only segment prior to regular duck season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 5 – Sep 27 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 | |
| Dec 1 – Jan 30 Third Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 | 15 |
1Canada goose season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 No possession limit | – |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 No possession limit | – |
1No possession limit
2Possession: No limit. Snow, blue and Ross's geese.
3Snow, blue and Ross' geese
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Nov 9 Common Gallinule (Moorhen) Season | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 | 45 | |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
1Common gallinule (moorhen) season
2Coot season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 5 Common, red-breasted, hooded mergansers; Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 Common, red-breasted, hooded mergansers; Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required | 15 |
1Common, red-breasted, hooded mergansers; Florida waterfowl permit and Federal duck stamp required
2Merganser season runs concurrent with regular duck season splits
3Common, red-breasted, and hooded mergansers
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 14 – Nov 14 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day 1 | – Youth 15 and younger only; supervised by non-hunting adult 18+. Bag/possession limits same as regular season species limits in table. | – |
| Feb 13 – Feb 13 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day 2 | – Youth 15 and younger only; supervised by non-hunting adult 18+. Bag/possession limits same as regular season species limits in table. | – |
1Youth 15 and younger only; supervised by non-hunting adult 18+. Bag/possession limits same as regular season species limits in table.
2Two youth waterfowl hunting days listed: Nov. 14 and Feb. 13. Species: ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots, and common gallinules.
3Second of two youth waterfowl hunting days. Species: ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots, and common gallinules.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 Veterans and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days | – Veterans or active duty Armed Forces members only (including National Guard and Reserves). Bag/possession limits same as regular season species limits in table. | – |
1Veterans or active duty Armed Forces members only (including National Guard and Reserves). Bag/possession limits same as regular season species limits in table.
2Species: ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots, and common gallinules.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 3 – Nov 12 Extended Falconry - Ducks, Light Geese, Coots, Mergansers First Period | 3 Falconry only; ducks, light geese (snow, blue and Ross'), coots, mergansers | 9 |
| Feb 8 – Mar 8 Extended Falconry - Ducks, Light Geese, Coots, Mergansers Second Period | 3 Falconry only; ducks, light geese (snow, blue and Ross'), coots, mergansers | 9 |
1Falconry only; ducks, light geese (snow, blue and Ross'), coots, mergansers
2Daily bag limit is 3 migratory game birds singly or in the aggregate
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 20, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.