Read from Wildlife Resources Commission on September 6, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Wildlife Resources Commission before you hunt.
Open the official North Carolina regulationsHunting North Carolina this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
North Carolina 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 March 10, 2027, with 33 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Wildlife Resources Commission 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1,2,3,4 | Oct 15 – Oct 17 First Split | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 | |
| Dec 18 – Jan 30 Third Split | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1; on Jan. 8 and after scaup bag limit is 2. Harlequin duck season closed. | 18 | |
| Coastal Zone1,2,3,4 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 First Split | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21. | 18 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Third Split | 6 4 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1; on Jan. 8 and after scaup bag limit is 2. Harlequin duck season closed. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hen mallards | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone · Dec 17–Jan 30 | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Inland Zone · Dec 18–Jan 30 | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Inland Zone · Oct 15–Oct 17 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Inland Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone · Oct 23–Oct 24 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Coastal Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone · Dec 17–Jan 30 | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Inland Zone · Dec 18–Jan 30 | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Inland Zone · Oct 15–Oct 17 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Inland Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone · Oct 23–Oct 24 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Coastal Zone · Nov 7–Nov 28 · Season closed until Nov. 21 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Limit increases to 2 on Jan. 8 and after | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup Limit increases to 2 on Jan. 8 and after | 1 | 3 |
14 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1. Harlequin duck season closed. Black and mottled duck season closed until Nov. 21.
2Split season. See Duck Zone Map.
34 mallards (only 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck. 4 total sea ducks including no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Prior to Jan. 8 scaup bag limit is 1; on Jan. 8 and after scaup bag limit is 2. Harlequin duck season closed.
4Split season. Scaup limit increases to 2 on Jan. 8. See Duck Zone Map.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| East of U.S. 171,2NCWRC 2026-27 proclamation: September teal area, east of U.S. 17. | Sep 10 – Sep 19 | 6 Open only in that area east of U.S. Highway 17. Includes Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal. | 18 |
| Coastal Zone3,4 | Sep 10 – Sep 19 September Teal Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Open only in area east of U.S. Highway 17. Includes green-winged teal, blue-winged teal and cinnamon teal. | 18 |
1Open only in that area east of U.S. Highway 17. Includes Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal.
2Sunday hunting of migratory birds prohibited statewide.
3Open only in area east of U.S. Highway 17. Includes green-winged teal, blue-winged teal and cinnamon teal.
4Restricted to area east of U.S. Hwy 17 only.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat only September Canada Goose Season | 15 Canada Goose Zones do not apply during September. West of U.S. Hwy 17: expanded methods allowed — shooting hours extended to 1/2 hour after sunset, unplugged guns, electronic calls permitted. Hunting migratory game birds on Sundays is prohibited statewide. | 45 |
| Northeast Hunt Zone3,4NC Northeast Hunt Canada goose zone | Dec 28 – Jan 30 | 2 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 6 |
| Resident Population Zone3,4NC Resident Population Canada goose zone | Oct 15 – Oct 24 First Split | 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
| Nov 7 – Dec 5 Second Split | 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 15 | |
| Dec 17 – Feb 6 Third Split | 5 Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate. | 15 |
1Canada Goose Zones do not apply during September. West of U.S. Hwy 17: expanded methods allowed — shooting hours extended to 1/2 hour after sunset, unplugged guns, electronic calls permitted. Hunting migratory game birds on Sundays is prohibited statewide.
2Statewide September season; Canada Goose Zones do not apply during September.
3Canada geese or white-fronted geese either singly or in the aggregate.
4Also includes white-fronted geese per source language.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Dec 28 – Jan 30 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 1 | 3 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 7 – Mar 10 Regular Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 25 No possession limit. After Feb. 6 (closure of all other waterfowl seasons): unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed. | – |
1No possession limit. After Feb. 6 (closure of all other waterfowl seasons): unplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed.
2Includes snow geese and Ross's geese. Expanded methods (unplugged shotguns, electronic calls) allowed after Feb. 6.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1 | Feb 9 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Inland Zone1 | Feb 9 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Wildlife Resources Commission. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Verified: Feb 9-Mar 31, no limit matches eReg.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Third Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 | |
| Inland Zone2 | Oct 15 – Oct 17 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 | |
| Dec 18 – Jan 30 Third Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 | 45 |
1Season dates same as ducks (Coastal Zone).
2Season dates same as ducks (Inland Zone).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 7 – Jan 30 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 1 By permit only. 1 per season. Permits issued by random drawing. | 1 |
1By permit only. 1 per season. Permits issued by random drawing.
2Permit required; limited permits issued. Refer to ncwildlife.gov for application info.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Dec 5 – Dec 5 Youth Waterfowl Day 1 | 6 Youth under 16 must be accompanied by adult age 18+. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Youth Waterfowl Day 2 | 6 Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Youth must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by adult 18 or older. | 18 |
1Youth under 16 must be accompanied by adult age 18+. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season.
2Legal species include ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Youth must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans.
3Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Youth must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by adult 18 or older.
4Youth waterfowl hunting outside the regular season is allowed on this day. Youth under 16 only.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Dec 5 – Dec 5 Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day 1 | 6 Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day 2 | 6 Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. | 18 |
1Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans. Same daily limits as regular waterfowl season.
2Legal species include ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. For veterans and members of Armed Forces on active duty including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training).
3Same daily limits as during the regular waterfowl season(s). Legal species: ducks, geese, brant, tundra swans, mergansers and coots. Must be properly licensed with valid credentials, HIP certification and Federal Duck Stamp. Must have valid permit to hunt tundra swans.
4Veterans and members of Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training) may participate.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Oct 1 – Oct 10 Early Falconry Season | 3 Daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively apply for all species singly or in the aggregate. Falconry for migratory game birds not allowed on Sundays. | 9 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 6 Late Falconry Season | 3 Daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively apply for all species singly or in the aggregate. Falconry for migratory game birds not allowed on Sundays. | 9 |
1Daily bag and possession limits of 3 and 9 respectively apply for all species singly or in the aggregate. Falconry for migratory game birds not allowed on Sundays.
2Extended falconry season for ducks, mergansers and coots. Falconers may also hunt during applicable gun seasons.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1,2,3,4,5 | Oct 23 – Oct 24 First Split | 4 No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks taken count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. In designated Sea Duck Area, wounded waterfowl may be taken from a motorboat while under power. | 12 |
| Nov 7 – Nov 28 Second Split | 4 No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. | 12 | |
| Dec 17 – Jan 30 Third Split | 4 No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. | 12 |
1No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks taken count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks. In designated Sea Duck Area, wounded waterfowl may be taken from a motorboat while under power.
2Sea Duck Area season. Closest match game_type is 'other' as there is no 'sea_ducks' enum value. Sea Duck Area includes waters of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters south of U.S. 64 separated by at least 800 yards from any shore, island or marsh.
3No more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. All sea ducks count toward the general daily limit of 6 ducks.
4Sea Duck Area season, second split. Game_type 'other' used as no sea_ducks enum exists.
5Sea Duck Area season, third split. Game_type 'other' used as no sea_ducks enum exists.
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 September 6, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.