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Migratory birds · 2026-27
Georgia Duck Hunting
Georgia runs one statewide duck season with no zones: Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026 and Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027. Dates, limits, land and rules for ducks, all from the 2026-27 Georgia guide.
Photo: BotheredByBees (CC BY 2.0)
Early teal comes first, Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026, six a day, and the youth, active-duty military and veterans days fall on Nov 14 to Nov 15, 2026. The daily bag is six ducks, no more than four of them sea ducks, with tighter limits on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, canvasbacks and others. Brant and harlequin ducks stay closed, and waterfowl hunters may not have lead shot with them.
Duck at a glance
- Methods: Shotguns 10 ga or smaller, plugged to 3 shells, federally approved nontoxic shot size F or smaller; no lead shot in possession.
- Remarks: Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12-Jan. 31; early teal Sept. 12-20; youth/military/veteran days Nov. 14-15; falconry extended dates. Federal duck stamp required (16+). Brant and harlequin closed.
How many ducks one hunter may take
These duck limits are statewide unless a WMA listing sets lower ones.
Ducks (aggregate)
6 per day; no more than 4 may be sea ducks; possession 3x daily (18).
Mallard
2 per day (only 1 may be a hen).
Wood duck
3 per day.
Black or mottled duck
1 per day.
Pintail
1 per day.
Canvasback
2 per day.
Redhead
2 per day.
Scaup
1 per day.
Fulvous whistling duck
1 per day.
Eider
3 per day (only 1 may be a hen).
Long-tailed duck
3 per day.
Scoter
3 per day.
Mergansers
5 per day; possession 3x daily.
Teal (early season)
6 per day; possession 3x daily.
Migratory birds (falconry)
Ducks, coots and rails by falconry: 3 per day, 9 in possession.
Duck dates by zone and land type
Each of the 11 rows below is a separate duck segment; the status column checks it against today.
| Segment | Where | Opening | Closing | Days | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular duck season (ducks) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 9 | |
| Regular duck season (ducks) | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 51 | |
| Mergansers | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 9 | |
| Mergansers | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 51 | |
| Early teal | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 9 | |
| Federal Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl Days (ducks) | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 2 | |
| Falconry (extended) (ducks) | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | 23 | |
| Falconry (extended) (ducks) | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 16 | |
| Falconry (extended) (ducks) | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 2 | |
| Falconry (extended) (ducks) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | 16 | |
| Falconry (extended) (ducks) | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 51 |
Read these duck notes too
- 6 per day with species limits; no more than 4 may be sea ducks. Possession 3x daily.
- Youth under 16 (accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18+), active-duty military and veterans may hunt waterfowl/geese; regular license requirements and bag limits apply.
- 3 per day, 9 in possession (falconry). Valid falconry permit and hunting license required.
From the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division 2026-27 season page and the 2026-27 guide (PDF), checked October 13, 2026.
Duck on WMAs and federal land
130 areas list waterfowl, from Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests down.
| Public area | Kind | County | Region | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests | National Forest | Rabun, Fannin, Union | – | 869,017 |
| Blue Ridge Ranger District | National Forest Ranger District | Union, Lumpkin, Fannin | Gainesville | 302,238 |
| Chattooga River Ranger District | National Forest Ranger District | Rabun, White, Habersham | Gainesville | 261,439 |
| Conasauga Ranger District | National Forest Ranger District | Murray, Fannin, Gilmer | Gainesville | 188,617 |
| Oconee Ranger District | National Forest Ranger District | Putnam, Jasper, Greene | Thomson | 116,724 |
| Cohutta WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Murray, Fannin, Gilmer | Armuchee | 92,647 |
| Cedar Creek WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Putnam, Jones, Jasper | Thomson | 41,000 |
| Redlands WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Greene, Oglethorpe, Morgan | Gainesville | 37,500 |
| Dixon Memorial WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Ware, Brantley | Brunswick | 35,247 |
| Townsend WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Long, McIntosh | Brunswick | 34,294 |
| Altamaha WMA | Wildlife Management Area | McIntosh | Brunswick | 31,569 |
| Savannah National Wildlife Refuge | National Wildlife Refuge | Effingham, Chatham | Fitzgerald | 30,715 |
| Paulding Forest WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Paulding, Polk | Armuchee | 28,183 |
| John's Mountain WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Gordon, Walker, Floyd | Armuchee | 23,710 |
| Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Walker | Armuchee | 21,895 |
More public land for ducks
Rich Mountain WMA (20,674 ac) · Chickasawhatchee WMA (19,700 ac) · Sansavilla WMA (19,084 ac) · Swallow Creek WMA (19,000 ac) · Lake Russell WMA (17,300 ac) · Bullard Creek WMA (17,005 ac) · Little Satilla WMA (16,990 ac) · Paulks Pasture WMA (16,066 ac) · Ceylon WMA (16,000 ac) · Warwoman WMA (15,800 ac) · Berry College WMA (15,605 ac) · Ocmulgee WMA (15,475 ac) · Tuckahoe WMA (15,100 ac) · Oaky Woods WMA (13,450 ac) · B.F. Grant WMA (11,400 ac) · Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge (11,184 ac) · Penholoway Swamp WMA (11,177 ac) · Canoochee Sandhills WMA (10,224 ac) · Clarks Hill WMA – East (10,224 ac) · West Point WMA (10,000 ac) · Ohoopee Dunes WMA (9,271 ac) · Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA: VPA Tracts (9,048 ac) · Sapelo Island WMA (9,000 ac) · Flat Tub WMA (8,748 ac) · Grand Bay WMA (8,700 ac) · Lake Seminole WMA (8,300 ac) · Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA: Hilliard Plantation Tract (8,089 ac) · Oconee WMA (7,930 ac) · Yuchi WMA (7,800 ac) · Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (7,760 ac) · Allatoona WMA (7,589 ac) · Richmond Hill WMA (7,400 ac) · Horse Creek WMA (7,397 ac) · Big Hammock WMA (7,315 ac) · Treat Mountain WMA (7,260 ac) · Big Lazer Creek WMA (7,200 ac) · Alapaha River WMA (6,870 ac) · Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA: Almo Tract (6,700 ac) · Clybel WMA (6,700 ac) · Sprewell Bluff WMA: West (6,571 ac) · Mayhaw WMA (6,300 ac) · Griffin Ridge WMA (5,975 ac) · Rum Creek WMA (5,800 ac) · Hannahatchee Creek WMA (5,600 ac) · Sheffield WMA (5,556 ac) · Beaverdam WMA (5,500 ac) · Clayhole Swamp WMA (5,242 ac) · Tallapoosa River WMA (5,215 ac) · Blanton Creek WMA (4,800 ac) · Moody Forest WMA (4,675 ac) · Altama Plantation WMA (4,612 ac) · Lanahassee Creek WMA (4,440 ac) · Joe Kurz WMA (3,700 ac) · River Bend WMA (3,670 ac) · Rogers WMA (3,340 ac) · 60 more on the public land hub
Areas and species lists from WRD’s 2026-27 area listings, the WRD WMA layers and federal managers, retrieved 2026-10-13. Harvest by area from WRD Game Check.
Duck rules in Georgia
Before going after ducks, check these license, hour and bait rules.
Licenses and fees
| License or permit | Res. | Nonres. |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | $15.00 | $100.00 |
| GA migratory bird license | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Federal duck stamp | Set federally | Set federally |
Shooting hours
Legal time for ducks runs from a half hour before sunrise to sunset, the migratory bird window.
Orange rule
Dove and waterfowl hunters are exempt from the WMA orange rule, even when deer gun season is open.
Bait rules
Federal baiting rules (50 CFR Part 20) cover ducks.
Sundays
The guide imposes no Sunday restriction on ducks. Individual WMAs, refuges and Corps lakes may.
Managed WMA impoundments
Duck hunting on managed WMA impoundments ends at noon, except the last Saturday of the season (until sunset).
Duck stamp
Federal duck stamp required for waterfowl hunters 16 and older, including resident landowners; it runs July 1 to June 30.
From the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division 2026-27 guide, licenses and fees and hunting information, checked October 13, 2026. Georgia hunting laws · License guide.
Legal equipment and methods for ducks
What you can carry for ducks, and what Georgia bans.
| Group | What is legal | What is not |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl / migratory birds | Shotguns 10 ga or smaller with federally approved nontoxic shot size F or smaller for waterfowl; shotguns limited to 3 shells (one-piece plug) for all migratory birds. | Possessing lead shot while hunting waterfowl. |
Duck methods and restrictions
Waterfowl reservoir restrictions
No hunting within 600 ft of docks/houses/structures etc. on Lakes Allatoona, Lanier and Walter F. George; within 300 ft on Georgia Power north Georgia lakes and on Blackshear, Oconee, Seminole, Sinclair and Oliver.
Vehicles, boats and aircraft
Unlawful to hunt from a vehicle, plane, or boat under power; unlawful to hunt or shoot from or across a public road or discharge a firearm within 50 yards of a public road.
Transporting game killed by another
Deer: written name, address, phone, license number and Game Check confirmation number of the hunter. Migratory birds: hunter signature, address, number by species and dates.
2026-27 guide (PDF) and the hunting information page, checked October 13, 2026.
Bring this to Duck country
Chosen for the game hunted here; listings load when you click.
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Common Georgia duck questions
How many wood ducks can I shoot in Georgia?
3 per day. They count toward the six-duck daily bag.
Is there an early teal season in Georgia?
Yes, Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026, six teal a day.
When are the youth and veterans waterfowl days?
The federal youth, active-duty military and veterans days fall on Nov 14 to Nov 15, 2026. Youth under 16 (accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18+), active-duty military and veterans may hunt waterfowl/geese; regular license requirements and bag limits apply.
How many Georgia public areas list ducks?
130 public areas, including Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Blue Ridge Ranger District (Chattahoochee National Forest) and Chattooga River Ranger District (Chattahoochee National Forest).
What are legal hours for ducks in Georgia?
Legal time for ducks runs from a half hour before sunrise to sunset, the migratory bird window.
Is orange or blaze pink required for ducks?
Dove and waterfowl hunters are exempt from the WMA orange rule, even when deer gun season is open.
What are the bait rules for ducks?
Federal baiting rules (50 CFR Part 20) cover ducks.
Can I hunt ducks on Sunday in Georgia?
The guide imposes no Sunday restriction on ducks. Individual WMAs, refuges and Corps lakes may.
Which equipment is legal for ducks?
Waterfowl / migratory birds: Shotguns 10 ga or smaller with federally approved nontoxic shot size F or smaller for waterfowl; shotguns limited to 3 shells (one-piece plug) for all migratory birds.
When does Georgia duck season start?
WRD sets ducks at regular duck season Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026; regular duck season Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027; mergansers Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026; mergansers Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027; early teal Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026. Look in the duck dates table for the rest of the year.
What is the Georgia limit on ducks?
6 per day; no more than 4 may be sea ducks; possession 3x daily (18). 2 per day (only 1 may be a hen).
What license do I need for ducks in Georgia?
Required or relevant, at resident prices: Hunting License ($15.00); GA migratory bird license ($5.00); the federal duck stamp.
Last word on ducks
Before the duck trip, confirm your license, the land rules and the orange rule for the segment you hunt.
Other photos on this page: Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0); Department of the Interior. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Conservation Training Center. 10/1997-8888 (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CC BY 2.0).