Read from Department of Conservation on August 20, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Conservation before you hunt.
Open the official Missouri regulationsHunting Missouri this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Missouri is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 12 through February 6, 2027, with 34 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Conservation within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Missouri North waterfowl zone | Oct 31 – Dec 29 Regular Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup Oct 31–Dec 14 / 1 scaup Dec 15–29, 1 mottled duck | 18 |
| Middle Zone3,4,5,6Missouri Middle waterfowl zone | Nov 7 – Dec 13 First Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup first 45 days / 1 scaup last 15 days, 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily. | 18 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 10 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup (Dec. 19–26) / 1 scaup (Dec. 27–Jan. 10), 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily. | 18 | |
| South Zone7,8,9,10Missouri South waterfowl zone | Nov 26 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily. | 18 |
| Dec 7 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup (Dec. 7–Jan. 16) / 1 scaup (Jan. 17–31), 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Hooded Merganser Counted within 6-duck aggregate | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup Middle Zone · Dec 19–Dec 26 · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup Middle Zone · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup North Zone · Dec 15–Dec 29 · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup Middle Zone · Dec 27–Jan 10 · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup South Zone · Dec 7–Jan 16 · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup South Zone · Jan 17–Jan 31 · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup South Zone · 2/day Nov. 26–29; greater and lesser combined | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup & Lesser Scaup North Zone · Oct 31–Dec 14 · Greater and lesser scaup combined | 2 | 6 |
14 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup Oct 31–Dec 14 / 1 scaup Dec 15–29, 1 mottled duck
2North Zone is continuous 60-day season (liberal framework). Scaup: 2/day Oct 31–Dec 14; 1/day Dec 15–29.
34 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup first 45 days / 1 scaup last 15 days, 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily.
4Scaup: 2/day (possession 6) Nov. 7–Dec. 13 and Dec. 19–26; 1/day (possession 3) Dec. 27–Jan. 10.
54 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup (Dec. 19–26) / 1 scaup (Dec. 27–Jan. 10), 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily.
6Scaup: 2/day (possession 6) Dec. 19–26; 1/day (possession 3) Dec. 27–Jan. 10.
74 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily.
8Scaup: 2/day (possession 6) Nov. 26–29 and Dec. 7–Jan. 16; 1/day (possession 3) Jan. 17–31.
94 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup (Dec. 7–Jan. 16) / 1 scaup (Jan. 17–31), 1 mottled duck. 15 coots daily.
10Scaup: 2/day (possession 6) Dec. 7–Jan. 16; 1/day (possession 3) Jan. 17–31.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 12 – Sep 20 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and cinnamon teal count toward limits; combined total of all three species. | 18 |
1Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and cinnamon teal count toward limits; combined total of all three species.
29-day season due to 2025 blue-winged teal population estimate of 4.4 million (below 4.7M threshold).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 Early Season | 3 Canada geese and brant only; combined total of both species. | 9 |
| Nov 11 – Feb 6 Regular Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 3 Canada geese and brant combined; 2 white-fronted geese. Possession: 9 Canada geese and brant combined; 6 white-fronted geese. | 9 |
1Canada geese and brant only; combined total of both species.
2Early season for Canada geese and brant only; light geese and white-fronted geese not included in this segment.
33 Canada geese and brant combined; 2 white-fronted geese. Possession: 9 Canada geese and brant combined; 6 white-fronted geese.
4All legal goose species open during regular season. Light geese (snow, blue, Ross's) also open—see light_geese row.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Nov 11 – Feb 6 Regular Season | 2 | 6 |
1White-fronted geese run concurrent with the regular goose season statewide.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 Early Season | 3 Combined total with Canada geese — 3 Canada geese and brant combined daily. | 9 |
| Nov 11 – Feb 6 Regular Season | 3 Combined total with Canada geese — 3 Canada geese and brant combined daily. | 9 |
1Combined total with Canada geese — 3 Canada geese and brant combined daily.
2Brant included in Early Canada Goose season; counted within combined 3-bird aggregate with Canada geese.
3Brant included in regular goose season; counted within combined 3-bird aggregate with Canada geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 11 – Feb 6 Regular Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese; no possession limit | – |
1Snow, blue, and Ross's geese; no possession limit
2Light geese during regular goose season; no possession limit
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 7 – Apr 30 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | – Snow, blue, and Ross's geese only; no daily bag or possession limit; electronic calls allowed; shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells allowed | – |
1Snow, blue, and Ross's geese only; no daily bag or possession limit; electronic calls allowed; shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells allowed
2Conservation Order Permit required (separate from regular hunting permits).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1Missouri North waterfowl zone | Oct 31 – Dec 29 Regular Season | 15 | 45 |
| Middle Zone2,3Missouri Middle waterfowl zone | Nov 7 – Dec 13 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 19 – Jan 10 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 | |
| South Zone4,5Missouri South waterfowl zone | Nov 26 – Nov 29 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 7 – Jan 31 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
1Concurrent with duck season North Zone. Printed in same duck/coot season table: '15 coots daily'. Possession limit 45.
2Concurrent with Middle Zone duck season first split.
3Concurrent with Middle Zone duck season second split.
4Concurrent with South Zone duck season first split.
5Concurrent with South Zone duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Missouri North waterfowl zone | Oct 24 – Oct 25 | 6 6 ducks: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 mottled duck; 15 coots; 20 light geese; 3 Canada geese and brant combined; 2 white-fronted geese. Adults may not hunt ducks. | 18 |
| Middle Zone1,2Missouri Middle waterfowl zone | Oct 31 – Nov 1 | 6 6 ducks: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 mottled duck; 15 coots; 20 light geese; 3 Canada geese and brant combined; 2 white-fronted geese. Adults may not hunt ducks. | 18 |
| South Zone1,2Missouri South waterfowl zone | Nov 21 – Nov 22 | 6 6 ducks: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 mottled duck; 15 coots; 20 light geese; 3 Canada geese and brant combined; 2 white-fronted geese. Adults may not hunt ducks. | 18 |
16 ducks: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens), 3 pintails, 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 mottled duck; 15 coots; 20 light geese; 3 Canada geese and brant combined; 2 white-fronted geese. Adults may not hunt ducks.
2Must be age 15 or younger; adult 18+ must accompany. Adults may not hunt ducks but may hunt other open seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Sep 12 – Sep 20 Teal Falconry · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 3 birds combined total of doves, ducks, and coots | 9 |
| Feb 11 – Mar 10 Late Statewide Falconry Extension · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 3 birds combined total of doves, ducks, and coots | 9 | |
| North Zone4,5,6,7,8Missouri North waterfowl zone | Oct 24 – Oct 25 Youth/Regular Season Falconry | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 |
| Oct 31 – Dec 29 Regular Season Falconry | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 | |
| Feb 11 – Mar 10 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots; 9 birds possession combined total | 9 | |
| Middle Zone4,6,9,10,11,12Missouri Middle waterfowl zone | Oct 31 – Nov 1 Youth/Regular Season Falconry - Split 1 | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 |
| Nov 7 – Dec 13 Regular Season Falconry - Split 1 | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 | |
| Dec 19 – Jan 10 Regular Season Falconry - Split 2 | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 | |
| Feb 11 – Mar 10 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots; 9 birds possession combined total | 9 | |
| South Zone4,6,13,14,15,16Missouri South waterfowl zone | Nov 21 – Nov 22 Youth Season Falconry | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 |
| Nov 26 – Nov 29 Regular Season Falconry - Split 1 | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 | |
| Dec 7 – Jan 31 Regular Season Falconry - Split 2 | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots. | 9 | |
| Feb 11 – Mar 10 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 3 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots; 9 birds possession combined total | 9 |
13 birds combined total of doves, ducks, and coots
2Falconry ducks and coots statewide concurrent with teal season.
3Late statewide falconry extension for ducks and coots after regular seasons close.
43 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots; 9 birds possession combined total
5Falconry extended season for ducks/coots; falconry dates also include Oct 24–25 and Oct 31–Dec 29 concurrent with regular season
63 birds daily combined total of doves, ducks, and coots.
7Falconry ducks/coots North Zone including youth days and regular season.
8Falconry ducks/coots North Zone regular season.
9Falconry extended season for ducks/coots; falconry dates also include Oct 31–Nov 1, Nov 7–Dec 13, and Dec 19–Jan 10 concurrent with regular season
10Middle Zone falconry ducks/coots youth days segment.
11Middle Zone falconry ducks/coots regular season first split.
12Middle Zone falconry ducks/coots regular season second split.
13Falconry extended season for ducks/coots; falconry dates also include Nov 21–22, Nov 26–29, and Dec 7–Jan 31 concurrent with regular season
14South Zone falconry ducks/coots youth days segment.
15South Zone falconry ducks/coots regular season first split.
16South Zone falconry ducks/coots regular season second split.
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.