Tennessee 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 20 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Wildlife Resources Agency within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
2025-2026 Tennessee Light Geese hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Segment
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
Early Season
Sep 1
Sep 21
20
–
October Season
Oct 11
Oct 22
20
–
November Season
Nov 29
Nov 30
20
–
Winter Season
Dec 5
Feb 14
20
–
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – sunset
Early Teal
2025-2026 Tennessee Early Teal hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
Sep 13
Sep 17
6
18
Shooting hours: Sunrise – sunset
Non-toxic shot · No electronic calls · WMA tier system applies · Max 2 wood ducks within 6-bird teal bag
Ducks
2025-2026 Tennessee Ducks hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Segment
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
First Split
Nov 29
Nov 30
6
18
Second Split
Dec 5
Jan 31
6
18
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – sunset
Non-toxic shot · No electronic calls · Motor off & boat stopped before shooting · WMA 3-tier blind system (season-long draw, 2-4 day draw, first-come) · No WMA access 2 hrs post-shooting to 4 AM
Coots
2025-2026 Tennessee Coots hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Segment
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
First Split
Nov 29
Nov 30
15
45
Second Split
Dec 5
Jan 31
15
45
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – sunset
Same as ducks · WMA restrictions apply · Non-toxic shot
Mergansers
2025-2026 Tennessee Mergansers hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Segment
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
First Split
Nov 29
Nov 30
5
15
Second Split
Dec 5
Jan 31
5
15
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – sunset
Same as ducks · Max 2 hooded mergansers/day · WMA restrictions apply · Non-toxic shot
Veterans
2025-2026 Tennessee Veterans hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Segment
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
Veterans/Military Day 1
Feb 1
Feb 1
6
–
Veterans/Military Day 2
Feb 8
Feb 8
6
–
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – sunset
Veterans & active-duty military · WMAs open all day · Same non-toxic shot & plugged gun rules · Proof of service required
Youth
2025-2026 Tennessee Youth hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Segment
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
Youth Waterfowl
Feb 7
Feb 7
6
–
Youth Waterfowl Day 2
Feb 14
Feb 14
6
–
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – sunset
Ages 6-16 with licensed adult 18+ · WMAs open all day during youth season · Youth 6-15 with adult exempt from WMA permit
Cons. Order
2025-2026 Tennessee Cons. Order hunting season dates, daily bag limits, and possession limits
Opens
Closes
Daily Bag
Possession
Feb 15
Mar 31
–
–
Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise – 30 minutes after sunset
Duck Species Sub-Limits
SpeciesDaily Bag
Greater ScaupScaup: 1 Nov 29-Dec 17, increases to 2 after Dec 18
1
Wood Duck
3
Black Duck
2
Pintail (Northern)Increased from 1 for 2025-2026 per USFWS
3
Canvasback
2
Mottled Duck
1
Lesser ScaupScaup: 1 Nov 29-Dec 17, increases to 2 after Dec 18
1
Redhead
2
Mallardeither · Max 2 hens per day
4
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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.