Kentucky is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 31, 2026, with 16 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20 | Sep 24 | 6 | 18 |
| Segment | Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Waterfowl Day - Fall | Nov 22 | Nov 22 | 6 | – |
| Youth Waterfowl Day - Spring | Feb 14 | Feb 14 | 6 | – |
| Segment | Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day - Fall | Nov 23 | Nov 23 | 6 | – |
| Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day - Spring | Feb 8 | Feb 8 | 6 | – |
| Segment | Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Duck Season - Thanksgiving Split | Nov 27 | Nov 30 | 6 | 18 |
| Regular Duck Season - Main Split | Dec 7 | Jan 31 | 6 | 18 |
| Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27 | Feb 15 | 5 | 15 |
| Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27 | Feb 15 | 20 | – |
| Segment | Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coots - Thanksgiving Split | Nov 27 | Nov 30 | 15 | 45 |
| Coots - Main Split | Dec 7 | Jan 31 | 15 | 45 |
| Segment | Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mergansers - Thanksgiving Split | Nov 27 | Nov 30 | 5 | 15 |
| Mergansers - Main Split | Dec 7 | Jan 31 | 5 | 15 |
| Opens | Closes | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 16 | Mar 31 | – | – |
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 2025-2026 season. This data was verified on March 9, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.