Question 1

What states are in the Central Flyway?

Accepted Answer

The Central Flyway includes 10 states: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The flyway follows the Great Plains from the Canadian prairies through the Gulf Coast, and is one of four major waterfowl migration corridors recognized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Source: USFWS Flyway Councils, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 2

When does duck season open in the Central Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Central Flyway duck seasons open at staggered dates for the 2025–26 season. Northern states open earliest: North Dakota opens September 20, South Dakota and Wyoming open October 4, Montana and Colorado open October 4. Plains states open in October–November: Nebraska opens October 11, Kansas opens October 25. Southern states open latest: Oklahoma opens November 1, Texas opens November 1 (North Zone), New Mexico opens October 25. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 3

What is the duck bag limit in the Central Flyway?

Accepted Answer

The daily bag limit for ducks in Central Flyway states is 6 ducks per day for the 2025–26 season under the USFWS liberal framework. Species sub-limits apply — pintail (1–2/day), canvasback (1/day in some states), and redhead limits are set by the USFWS. The Texas High Plains Mallard Management Unit (HPMMU) may have different regulations than the rest of Texas. Source: USFWS and state agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 4

Which Central Flyway state is best for duck hunting?

Accepted Answer

North Dakota and South Dakota are considered top Central Flyway destinations due to the Prairie Pothole Region, which produces more ducks per square mile than any other breeding habitat in North America. Texas is the flyway's largest state with diverse hunting opportunities — playa lakes, Gulf Coast marshes, and rice fields. Kansas and Oklahoma offer excellent mallard hunting on flooded crop fields. Source: USFWS Prairie Pothole data, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 5

Does the Central Flyway have early teal seasons?

Accepted Answer

Most Central Flyway states offer early teal seasons in September 2025. South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas all have early teal seasons running September 6–21 or September 13–28, 2025 depending on the state. North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado generally do not have separate early teal seasons — teal are harvested during the regular duck season. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 6

How much is a non-resident waterfowl license in Central Flyway states?

Accepted Answer

Non-resident waterfowl license costs in Central Flyway states for 2025–26: Montana $131, Wyoming $128, Colorado $148.63, New Mexico $137, North Dakota $155, South Dakota $126, Nebraska $96, Kansas $97.50, Oklahoma $75, Texas $80. All non-residents also need the federal Duck Stamp ($25) and HIP registration. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 7

What makes the Prairie Pothole Region important for duck hunting?

Accepted Answer

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), centered on North Dakota, South Dakota, and extending into Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Canada, is the most productive duck breeding habitat on the continent — producing 50–80% of North America's ducks in good water years. Mallards, pintail, teal, gadwall, widgeon, canvasback, and redhead nest in PPR wetlands each spring. Central Flyway duck hunting quality is directly tied to PPR water conditions from the previous breeding season. Source: USFWS Prairie Pothole research, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 8

When does goose season open in the Central Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Canada goose seasons in Central Flyway states open in September 2025, with most states starting September 1. Light goose (snow, Ross's) seasons begin in October and conservation orders extend the season through February–March. North Dakota opens September 6 for Canada geese. Texas has extended light goose conservation orders running from November through March. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 9

Does Texas have special waterfowl zones?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Texas has four distinct waterfowl zones: the North Zone, South Zone, East Zone, and the High Plains Mallard Management Unit (HPMMU). The HPMMU has unique regulations designed to protect the Laguna Madre pintail population. Each zone has different season dates. The East Zone (Gulf Coast) and South Zone often have some of the longest seasons in the flyway. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 10

What species can I hunt in the Central Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Central Flyway hunters can harvest mallards, pintail, teal (blue-winged and green-winged), gadwall, widgeon, canvasback, redhead, ringneck ducks, lesser scaup, and other migratory ducks within the 6-bird daily limit. Canada geese, white-fronted geese (specks), snow geese, and Ross's geese have separate season dates and limits. Sandhill crane seasons are available in some Central Flyway states (Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado). Source: USFWS Central Flyway Council, verified 2026-05-08.

State	Opens	Closes	Bag	NR License
Montana	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 11, 2026	6	$131
Wyoming	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$128
Colorado	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$148.63
New Mexico	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$137
North Dakota	Sep 20, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$155
South Dakota	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$126
Nebraska	Oct 11, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$96
Kansas	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$97.50
Oklahoma	Nov 1, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$75
Texas	Nov 1, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 25, 2026	6	$80

State	Opens	Closes	Bag	NR License
Montana	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 11, 2026	6	$131
Wyoming	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$128
Colorado	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$148.63
New Mexico	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$137
North Dakota	Sep 20, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$155
South Dakota	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$126
Nebraska	Oct 11, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$96
Kansas	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$97.50
Oklahoma	Nov 1, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$75
Texas	Nov 1, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 25, 2026	6	$80

Central Flyway Duck Season 2025–26

2025–26 Season Comparison

Full State Guides

Central Flyway — Frequently Asked Questions

Other Flyways

Central Flyway Duck Season 2025–26

2025–26 Season Comparison

Full State Guides

Central Flyway — Frequently Asked Questions

Other Flyways