Florida is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 5 through February 13, 2027, with 15 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Florida Waterfowl Permit required
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
16 ducks including: no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 4 sea ducks (no more than 3 scoters/long-tailed/eiders, no more than 1 female eider), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck (Florida duck), 1 fulvous whistling-duck, 1 scaup
2Regular duck season first split; 1 scaup limit applies Nov. 21–29
36 ducks including: no more than 4 mallards (only 2 hens), 4 sea ducks (no more than 3 scoters/long-tailed/eiders, no more than 1 female eider), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 mottled duck (Florida duck), 1 fulvous whistling-duck; 1 scaup Dec. 12–Jan. 11, 2 scaup Jan. 12–31
4Regular duck season second split; scaup limit changes from 1 to 2 on Jan. 12
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 23 September Teal/Wood Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
1Teal and wood duck only; only 2 can be wood ducks
2Teal and wood duck only segment
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Sep 5 – Sep 27 September Season | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | |||
| Dec 1 – Jan 30 Second Split |
1Canada goose September segment
2Canada goose regular season first split
3Canada goose regular season second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 | – |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
1Snow, blue and Ross's geese; no possession limit
2Possession limit listed as 'No limit'
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
1Coot season first split
2Coot season second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 21 – Nov 29 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split |
1Common, red-breasted, and hooded mergansers
2Merganser season first split
3Merganser season second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 14 – Nov 14 Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day 1 | – | – |
| Feb 13 – Feb 13 Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day 2 |
1Youth 15 and younger only, supervised by non-hunting adult 18+. Species: ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots, common gallinules. Bag/possession limits per regular season table. 2 scaup allowed.
2Bag/possession limits follow regular species limits; ** footnote applies
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 Veterans and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days | – | – |
1Veterans and active-duty military (including National Guard and Reserves) only. Species: ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots, common gallinules. Bag/possession limits per regular season table. 2 scaup allowed.
2Bag/possession limits follow regular species limits; *** footnote applies
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 June 12, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.