Read from Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on August 26, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you hunt.
Open the official Louisiana regulationsHunting Louisiana this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Louisiana is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 19 through February 7, 2027, with 43 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Non-toxic shot required statewide
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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2,3,4East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 21 – Dec 6 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (1 female max); only 1 scaup for first 15 days of season; no mottled ducks for first 15 days of season | 18 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 No more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (no more than 1 female). 2 scaup/day for remainder of season after first 15 days. 1 mottled duck/day for remainder after first 15 days. | 18 | |
| West Zone2,3,4,5West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (1 female max); only 1 scaup for first 15 days; no mottled ducks for first 15 days | 18 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 24 Second Split | 6 No more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (no more than 1 female). 2 scaup/day for remainder of season after first 15 days. 1 mottled duck/day for remainder after first 15 days. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard East Zone · Nov 21–Dec 6 · no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Mallard West Zone · Nov 14–Dec 6 · no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Mallard West Zone · Dec 19–Jan 24 · no more than 2 females | 4 | 12 |
| Mallard East Zone · Dec 19–Jan 31 · no more than 2 females | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Pintail (Northern) no more than 1 female | 3 | 9 |
| Lesser Scaup East Zone · Nov 21–Dec 6 · 1 scaup for first 15 days of season | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup West Zone · Nov 14–Dec 6 · 1 scaup for first 15 days of season | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup West Zone · Dec 19–Jan 24 · 2 scaup/day for remainder after first 15 days | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup East Zone · Dec 19–Jan 31 · 2 scaup/day for remainder after first 15 days | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck East Zone · Nov 21–Dec 6 · no mottled ducks for first 15 days of season | 0 | 0 |
| Mottled Duck West Zone · Nov 14–Dec 6 · no mottled ducks for first 15 days of season | 0 | 0 |
| Mottled Duck West Zone · Dec 19–Jan 24 · 1/day for remainder after first 15 days | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck East Zone · Dec 19–Jan 31 · 1/day for remainder after first 15 days | 1 | 3 |
14 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (1 female max); only 1 scaup for first 15 days of season; no mottled ducks for first 15 days of season
2Regular season first split; coots 15/day; mergansers 5/day (only 2 hooded)
3No more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (no more than 1 female). 2 scaup/day for remainder of season after first 15 days. 1 mottled duck/day for remainder after first 15 days.
4Regular season second split; coots 15/day; mergansers 5/day (only 2 hooded)
54 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 1 black duck, 3 pintails (1 female max); only 1 scaup for first 15 days; no mottled ducks for first 15 days
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | 6 Blue, Green, and Cinnamon Teal only | 18 |
1Blue, Green, and Cinnamon Teal only
2Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon teal
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2,3,4East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 1 Canada Geese only. Season closed in a portion of SW Louisiana (see regulations for closed area description). | 3 |
| Dec 19 – Feb 7 Second Split | 1 Canada Geese only. Season closed in a portion of SW Louisiana. | 3 | |
| West Zone3,4West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 1 Canada Geese only. Season closed in a portion of SW Louisiana. | 3 |
| Dec 19 – Feb 7 Second Split | 1 Canada Geese only. Season closed in a portion of SW Louisiana. | 3 |
1Canada Geese only. Season closed in a portion of SW Louisiana (see regulations for closed area description).
2Canada Goose season open statewide except closed area in SW Louisiana near Calcasieu Ship Channel
3Canada Geese only. Season closed in a portion of SW Louisiana.
4Canada Goose season open statewide except closed area in SW Louisiana
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2,3East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 3 Specklebelly (White-fronted) geese | 9 |
| Dec 19 – Feb 7 Second Split | 3 Specklebelly (White-fronted) geese | 9 | |
| West Zone1,4,5West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 3 Specklebelly (White-fronted) geese | 9 |
| Dec 19 – Feb 7 Second Split | 3 Specklebelly (White-fronted) geese | 9 |
1Specklebelly (White-fronted) geese
2White-fronted geese listed separately in schedule with their own bag limit; season dates concurrent with Canada goose season
3White-fronted geese listed separately in schedule; dates concurrent with Canada/Light geese East Zone second split
4White-fronted geese listed separately in schedule; dates concurrent with West Zone Canada goose first split
5White-fronted geese listed separately in schedule; dates concurrent with West Zone Canada goose second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 20 Snow, Blue, Ross's geese | – |
| Dec 19 – Feb 7 Second Split | 20 Snow, Blue, Ross's geese | – | |
| West Zone1,2West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 20 Snow, Blue, Ross's geese | – |
| Dec 19 – Feb 7 Second Split | 20 Snow, Blue, Ross's geese | – |
1Snow, Blue, Ross's geese
2Possession limit: None
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Dec 7 – Dec 18 First Segment | – Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns allowed. No bag or possession limit. | – |
| Feb 8 – Mar 7 Second Segment | – Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns allowed. No bag or possession limit. | – | |
| West Zone1,2West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Dec 7 – Dec 18 First Segment | – Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns allowed. No bag or possession limit. | – |
| Feb 8 – Mar 7 Second Segment | – Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns allowed. No bag or possession limit. | – |
1Snow, Blue and Ross's geese only. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns allowed. No bag or possession limit.
2Conservation Order for Light Geese
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 21 – Dec 6 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| West Zone3,4West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 24 Second Split | 15 | 45 |
1Concurrent with duck season East Zone. Gallinules (coots/moorhens) listed separately with 15/day bag limit.
2Concurrent with duck season East Zone second split.
3Concurrent with duck season West Zone first split.
4Concurrent with duck season West Zone second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2,3East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 21 – Dec 6 First Split | 5 Only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Merganser limits are in addition to the daily bag limit for ducks. | 15 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Second Split | 5 Only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Merganser limits are in addition to the daily bag limit for ducks. | 15 | |
| West Zone1,4,5West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 14 – Dec 6 First Split | 5 Only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Merganser limits are in addition to the daily bag limit for ducks. | 15 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 24 Second Split | 5 Only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Merganser limits are in addition to the daily bag limit for ducks. | 15 |
1Only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Merganser limits are in addition to the daily bag limit for ducks.
2Concurrent with East Zone duck season first split. Merganser limit is separate from and in addition to 6-duck daily bag.
3Concurrent with East Zone duck season second split.
4Concurrent with West Zone duck season first split.
5Concurrent with West Zone duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2,3East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 14 – Nov 14 Youth/Veterans Day 1 | 6 Youth only (17 and under). Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adult may not hunt ducks. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth and Veterans Day 2 | 6 Youth only (17 and under). Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adult may not hunt ducks. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 | |
| West Zone1,4,5West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 7 – Nov 7 Youth/Veterans Day 1 | 6 Youth only (17 and under). Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adult may not hunt ducks. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
| Jan 30 – Jan 30 Youth and Veterans Day 2 | 6 Youth only (17 and under). Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adult may not hunt ducks. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
1Youth only (17 and under). Must be accompanied by adult 18+. Adult may not hunt ducks. Bag limits same as regular duck season.
2Concurrent with East Zone veterans waterfowl day Nov. 14
3Second youth/veterans day for East Zone
4Concurrent with West Zone veterans waterfowl day Nov. 7
5Second youth/veterans day for West Zone
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2,3East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 14 – Nov 14 Youth and Veterans Day 1 | 6 Veterans/active military only. Must possess valid proof of service. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth/Veterans Day 2 | 6 Veterans/active military only. Must possess valid proof of service. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 | |
| West Zone1,4,5West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 7 – Nov 7 Youth and Veterans Day 1 | 6 Veterans/active military only. Must possess valid proof of service. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
| Jan 30 – Jan 30 Youth/Veterans Day 2 | 6 Veterans/active military only. Must possess valid proof of service. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
1Veterans/active military only. Must possess valid proof of service. Bag limits same as regular duck season.
2Concurrent with East Zone youth waterfowl day Nov. 14
3Second youth/veterans day for East Zone
4Concurrent with West Zone youth waterfowl day Nov. 7
5Second youth/veterans day for West Zone
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Zone1,2East of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Ouachita, Concordia, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne parishes and remainder of state. | Nov 5 – Nov 20 First Falconry Segment | 3 Falconry daily bag and possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in aggregate. | 9 |
| Dec 7 – Dec 18 Second Falconry Segment | 3 Falconry daily bag and possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in aggregate. | 9 | |
| West Zone1,2West of LA-79/LA-9/LA-147/US-167/US-90 corridor. Includes Caddo, Bossier, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Vermilion parishes and others west of boundary. | Nov 5 – Nov 13 First Falconry Segment | 3 Falconry daily bag and possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in aggregate. | 9 |
| Dec 7 – Dec 18 Second Falconry Segment | 3 Falconry daily bag and possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in aggregate. | 9 | |
| Jan 25 – Jan 31 Third Falconry Segment | 3 Falconry daily bag and possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in aggregate. | 9 |
1Falconry daily bag and possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in aggregate.
2Extended falconry for ducks
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 Black Bellied Whistling Ducks | 4 Black-bellied whistling ducks only. Requires Black-bellied Whistling Duck Hunting Permit (free). Post-season reporting required Oct. 12-26. | 12 |
1Black-bellied whistling ducks only. Requires Black-bellied Whistling Duck Hunting Permit (free). Post-season reporting required Oct. 12-26.
2New season added for 2026-2027. Shooting hours sunrise to sunset (not 1/2 hour before sunrise). Only black-bellied whistling ducks may be taken.
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 26, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.