Read from Parks and Wildlife Department on August 13, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Parks and Wildlife Department before you hunt.
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Texas is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 12 through February 19, 2027, with 36 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Parks and Wildlife Department within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Annual Public Hunting Permit required on WMAs ($48)
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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 Zone1,2Northern Texas duck zone. | Nov 14 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 18 |
| Dec 5 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 18 | |
| South Zone1,2Southern Texas duck zone, includes Gulf Coast. | Nov 7 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 18 | |
| High Plains Mallard Management Unit1,2Texas Panhandle region. Special early mallard season. | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split | 6 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 18 |
| Oct 30 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 5 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard only 2 of which may be hens | 5 | 15 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup scaup aggregate | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck closed first 5 days of season; includes Mexican duck, black duck and hybrids | 1 | 3 |
15 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens); 3 wood ducks; 3 pintails; 2 redheads; 2 canvasbacks; 1 scaup; 1 dusky duck (closed first five days of season) Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag).
2Dusky ducks off limits first five days of each zone's season
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 27 September Teal Only | 6 Includes blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal | 18 |
1Includes blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal
2Statewide early teal season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Goose Zone1,2,3,4Eastern Texas goose management zone. | Sep 12 – Sep 27 Early Canada Goose | 5 Canada Geese only | 15 |
| Nov 7 – Jan 31 Regular Season | 5 5 in aggregate, to include no more than 2 white-fronted geese | 15 | |
| Western Goose Zone5,6Western Texas goose management zone. | Nov 7 – Feb 7 Regular | 5 5 in aggregate (all other geese not light, including Canada and white-fronted) | 15 |
1Canada Geese only
2Early Canada Goose Only; Eastern Zone. Daily bag 5.
35 in aggregate, to include no more than 2 white-fronted geese
4Dark Goose: All other geese (not light), including Canada and white-fronted; Eastern Zone bag = 5, no more than 2 white-fronted
55 in aggregate (all other geese not light, including Canada and white-fronted)
6Dark Goose: All other geese (not light), including Canada and white-fronted; Western Zone bag = 5
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Goose Zone1,2Eastern Texas goose management zone. | Nov 7 – Feb 19 | 5 5 in aggregate (Snow including blue, and Ross's geese) | 15 |
| Western Goose Zone1,3Western Texas goose management zone. | Nov 7 – Feb 7 Regular | 5 5 in aggregate (Snow including blue, and Ross's geese) | 15 |
15 in aggregate (Snow including blue, and Ross's geese)
2Light Geese, Eastern Zone. Bag in aggregate.
3Light Geese: Snow (including blue) and Ross's geese; Western Zone
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Northern Texas duck zone. | Nov 14 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 Coots concurrent with duck season by zone. Gallinule season separate (Sep. 19-27, 2026 and Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027, statewide). Nontoxic shot + plugged shotgun required. TX Migratory Game Bird Endorsement + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + HIP required. | 45 |
| Dec 5 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| South Zone1,2Southern Texas duck zone, includes Gulf Coast. | Nov 7 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 Coots concurrent with duck season by zone. Gallinule season separate (Sep. 19-27, 2026 and Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027, statewide). Nontoxic shot + plugged shotgun required. TX Migratory Game Bird Endorsement + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + HIP required. | 45 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| High Plains Mallard Management Unit1,3,4Texas Panhandle region. Special early mallard season. | Oct 24 – Oct 25 First Split | 15 Coots concurrent with duck season by zone. Gallinule season separate (Sep. 19-27, 2026 and Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027, statewide). Nontoxic shot + plugged shotgun required. TX Migratory Game Bird Endorsement + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + HIP required. | 45 |
| Oct 30 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 | 45 |
1Coots concurrent with duck season by zone. Gallinule season separate (Sep. 19-27, 2026 and Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027, statewide). Nontoxic shot + plugged shotgun required. TX Migratory Game Bird Endorsement + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + HIP required.
2Coot season concurrent with duck season; bag 15, possession 45
3Concurrent with regular duck season; bag limit stated separately as 15/day
4Coot daily bag limit of 15 stated in bag limits section; dates inherited from HPMMU regular duck season (second/main segment). Youth season regulations state regular bag limits apply for coots.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 19 – Sep 27 Gallinules First Split | 15 Common and purple gallinules in aggregate. | 45 |
| Nov 7 – Jan 6 Gallinules Second Split | 15 Common and purple gallinules in aggregate. | 45 |
Not yet confirmed against the official source. We have not matched every value here to Parks and Wildlife Department. Check the official regulations before you hunt.
1Common and purple gallinules in aggregate.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Zone A1,2TPWD sandhill crane Zone A | Oct 31 – Jan 31 Regular | 3 Free Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit required | 9 |
| Crane Zone B1,2TPWD sandhill crane Zone B | Nov 27 – Jan 31 | 3 Free Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit required | 9 |
| Crane Zone C2,3TPWD sandhill crane Zone C | Dec 12 – Jan 17 | 2 Free Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit required; whooping crane closed coastal area applies | 6 |
1Free Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit required
2Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit required (free, from TPWD)
3Free Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit required; whooping crane closed coastal area applies
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Northern Texas duck zone. | Nov 7 – Nov 8 Youth/Veterans Weekend | 6 Youth hunters 16 years of age or younger; must be accompanied by adult 18+; regular season bag limits apply; Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+ | 18 |
| South Zone1,2Southern Texas duck zone, includes Gulf Coast. | Oct 31 – Nov 1 Youth/Veterans Weekend | 6 Youth hunters 16 years of age or younger; must be accompanied by adult 18+; regular season bag limits apply; Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+ | 18 |
| High Plains Mallard Management Unit1,2Texas Panhandle region. Special early mallard season. | Oct 17 – Oct 18 Youth/Veterans Weekend | 6 Youth hunters 16 years of age or younger; must be accompanied by adult 18+; regular season bag limits apply; Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+ | 18 |
1Youth hunters 16 years of age or younger; must be accompanied by adult 18+; regular season bag limits apply; Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+
2Dusky ducks legal during Youth-only season
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Northern Texas duck zone. | Nov 7 – Nov 8 Youth/Veterans Weekend | 6 Restricted to veterans and current members of the US Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve on active duty (other than for training); Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+ | 18 |
| South Zone1,2Southern Texas duck zone, includes Gulf Coast. | Oct 31 – Nov 1 Youth/Veterans Weekend | 6 Restricted to veterans and current members of the US Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve on active duty (other than for training); Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+ | 18 |
| High Plains Mallard Management Unit1,2Texas Panhandle region. Special early mallard season. | Oct 17 – Oct 18 Youth/Veterans Weekend | 6 Restricted to veterans and current members of the US Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve on active duty (other than for training); Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+ | 18 |
1Restricted to veterans and current members of the US Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve on active duty (other than for training); Federal Duck Stamp required for those 16+
2Dusky ducks legal during Veteran Special season. Veterans must carry proof of eligibility.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Northern Texas duck zone. | Feb 1 – Feb 21 Falconry | 3 Falconry only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 migratory game birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate | 9 |
| South Zone1,2Southern Texas duck zone, includes Gulf Coast. | Feb 1 – Feb 21 Falconry | 3 Falconry only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 migratory game birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate | 9 |
1Falconry only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 migratory game birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate
2Falconry season; valid Texas falconry permit required
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3Northern Texas duck zone. | Nov 19 – Nov 29 Dusky Duck First Split | 1 Dusky duck = mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids; closed first 5 days of regular duck season in each zone; bag limit is 1 within the aggregate 6-duck bag | 3 |
| Dec 5 – Jan 31 Dusky Duck Second Split | 1 Dusky duck = mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids; closed first 5 days of regular duck season in each zone; bag limit is 1 within the aggregate 6-duck bag | 3 | |
| South Zone1,2,4Southern Texas duck zone, includes Gulf Coast. | Nov 12 – Nov 29 Dusky Duck First Split | 1 Dusky duck = mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids; closed first 5 days of regular duck season in each zone; bag limit is 1 within the aggregate 6-duck bag | 3 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Dusky Duck Second Split | 1 Dusky duck = mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids; closed first 5 days of regular duck season in each zone; bag limit is 1 within the aggregate 6-duck bag | 3 | |
| High Plains Mallard Management Unit1,2Texas Panhandle region. Special early mallard season. | Oct 31 – Jan 31 Dusky Duck | 1 Dusky duck = mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids; closed first 5 days of regular duck season in each zone; bag limit is 1 within the aggregate 6-duck bag | 3 |
1Dusky duck = mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids; closed first 5 days of regular duck season in each zone; bag limit is 1 within the aggregate 6-duck bag
2Dusky duck season opens 5 days after regular season opening; legal during Youth-only and Veteran Special seasons
3Concurrent with regular duck season second split in North Zone
4Concurrent with regular duck season second split in South Zone
Spring 2027 turkey season
South Zone: Mar 20–May 2
One-turkey counties: Apr 1–30
North Zone: Apr 3–May 16
East Zone: Apr 22–May 14
Youth: North: Mar 27–28 & May 22–23 · South: Mar 13–14 & May 8–9
Source: state regulationsChecked October 16, 2026.
Official regulations
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentZones, tags, bag limits and public-land rules.
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See the turkey hunting appOfficial regulations
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the upland bird hunting appOfficial regulations
Hunting allowedper Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe state sets the feral hog seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your feral hog hunts free in BlindBook.
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See the feral hog hunting appOfficial regulations
Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe state sets the alligator seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your alligator hunts free in BlindBook.
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See the alligator hunting appSeason 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 13, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.