ALABAMA · DUCK & WATERFOWL · 2026–27
Alabama duck & waterfowl
seasons 2026–27.
Split duck dates, teal, dark and light geese, youth and military days, and permit-only sandhill crane references.
SPLIT SEASONS
Ducks, geese & special days
Regular ducks, coot and mergansers run Nov. 27–28 and Dec. 5–Jan. 31. Youth and qualifying military/veteran days are Nov. 21, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027. A single-animal filter retains combined bags and duck species sublimits.
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| DucksOpens Nov. 27, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 6 ducks daily combined: up to 4 mallards (at most 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 3 pintails, 2 canvasbacks and 1 scaup.source · source |
| CootOpens Nov. 27, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 15 daily.source · source |
| MergansersOpens Nov. 27, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 5 daily, at most 2 hooded mergansers.source · source |
| September tealClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Sept. 12 – Sept. 20, 2026 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 6 teal daily.source · source |
| Dark geeseReopens Nov. 27, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Sept. 5 – Oct. 4, 2026 Oct. 17 – Oct. 31, 2026 Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 5 daily combined Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant.source · source |
| Light geeseReopens Nov. 27, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Sept. 5 – Oct. 4, 2026 Oct. 17 – Oct. 31, 2026 Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 5 daily combined snow, blue and Ross’s geese.source · source |
| Youth waterfowl daysOpens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 21, 2026 Feb. 6, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply. Youth under 16; adult supervisor 21+ or parent with all required licenses/stamps. Waterfowl guide requires the supervisor within arm’s length; follow this stricter guide instruction. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 6 ducks daily combined: up to 4 mallards (at most 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 3 pintails, 2 canvasbacks and 1 scaup. Coot: 15 daily. Mergansers: 5 daily, at most 2 hooded. Dark and light geese: 5 daily in each combined group.source · source |
| Veteran / active military waterfowl daysOpens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 21, 2026 Feb. 6, 2027 | Statewide; private land Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Non-toxic shot, legal plugged shotgun/equipment, HIP and applicable state/federal waterfowl stamps required; verify exemptions. Possession limits and federal restrictions still apply.Carry valid proof of veteran or active military service. In the regular season, Mobile–Tensaw Delta zone closes Monday/Tuesday and at 1 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; early teal/goose exceptions apply. Apalachee Refuge is closed. Check USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. | 6 ducks daily combined: up to 4 mallards (at most 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 2 redheads, 3 pintails, 2 canvasbacks and 1 scaup. Coot: 15 daily. Mergansers: 5 daily, at most 2 hooded. Dark and light geese: 5 daily in each combined group.source · source |
| Sandhill crane · quota permitOpens Nov. 27, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 27, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 Jan. 11 – Jan. 25, 2027 | Designated area north of I-20 / east of I-65 / north of I-22; see legal boundary Sunrise to sunset. Permit applicants must be Alabama residents or Alabama lifetime hunting license holders, age 16+; eligibility, registration and permit conditions apply. | 3 per person per limited-quota permit.source · source |
BEFORE YOU GO
Licenses, permits & harvest reporting
- Check your hunting license, hunter education, age/residency exemptions, legal equipment and local shooting hours with ADCNR. Get landowner permission.
- WMAs require their own current AREA permit and check-in/check-out; license and daily permit requirements vary. SOA and other quota hunts have selected dates and authorizations.
- Check HIP, Alabama waterfowl stamp and federal duck stamp requirements and exemptions. Use non-toxic shot and legal equipment.
- Youth waterfowl days are for hunters under 16; follow the guide’s arm’s-length adult-supervision instruction. Veterans and active military must carry valid proof of service.
Source: Outdoor Alabama: license information ↗; Outdoor Alabama: harvest records and Game Check ↗; Alabama Rule 220-2-.02: legal arms and ammunition ↗; Alabama Rule 220-2-.119: special youth hunting ↗; Outdoor Alabama: current WMA maps and area permits ↗
SPECIAL WATERS
Mobile–Tensaw Delta & public-area hours
The Mobile–Tensaw Delta Waterfowl Management Zone is closed to regular-season waterfowl hunting Monday and Tuesday; Wednesday–Sunday shooting ends at 1 p.m. Special early teal/goose seasons have different days and hours. Apalachee Refuge is closed. The guide also specifies motor restrictions and USACE permit hours in Pickens, Greene and Sumter. Confirm the exact waters before planning.
Choose a county in the finder. Mobile and Baldwin waterfowl entries remain references requiring local confirmation and cannot generate automatic calendars.
Source: 2026–27 Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide ↗; Outdoor Alabama: current WMA maps and area permits ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Plan your hunt
WHERE THESE DATES COME FROM
Official sources
We use Outdoor Alabama, ADCNR guides and the current Alabama Administrative Code. Formula dates for squirrel, rabbit and quail are calculated from the published 2026–27 rule. Missing or location-dependent dates stay marked for confirmation. Sources are reviewed weekly; changes receive editorial review before publication.
- 2026–27 Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide ↗
- Outdoor Alabama: 2026–27 waterfowl seasons ↗
- Alabama Rule 220-2-.01: 2026–27 hunting seasons ↗
- Alabama Rule 220-2-.02: legal arms and ammunition ↗
- Alabama Rule 220-2-.119: special youth hunting ↗
Last checked: Nov. 2, 2026. Saved calendar files and printouts do not update automatically. Report a change.