GEORGIA · DUCK & WATERFOWL · 2026–27
Georgia duck & waterfowl
seasons 2026–27.
Georgia’s split duck dates, early teal and goose seasons, youth/military days and current species sublimits.
DUCKS, GEESE & SPECIAL DAYS
Split seasons & combined bags
Regular ducks, coot, mergansers and gallinules run Nov. 21–29 and Dec. 12–Jan. 31. Youth and qualifying military/veteran days are Nov. 14–15. The current Georgia flyer sets a two-mallard limit (at most one hen) and one pintail; another state’s bag limits do not apply.
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks & sea ducksOpens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. | 6 ducks daily combined, at most 4 sea ducks. Sublimits: 2 mallards (at most 1 hen), 1 black OR mottled duck combined, 2 canvasbacks, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 1 scaup and 3 wood ducks. Sea ducks: up to 3 eiders (at most 1 hen), 3 long-tailed ducks and 3 scoters within the combined limits. Harlequin closed.source · source |
| CootOpens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. | 15 daily.source · source |
| GallinulesOpens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. | 15 daily.source · source |
| MergansersOpens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. | 5 daily.source · source |
| September tealClosed for 2026-27Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Sept. 12 – Sept. 20, 2026 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. | 6 teal daily.source · source |
| Canada gooseReopens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Sept. 5 – Sept. 27, 2026 Oct. 10 – Oct. 25, 2026 Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. The current guide/flyer groups snow and white-fronted geese under a five-bird limit, while Rule 391-4-2-.43 shares five between Canada and white-fronted geese and lists snow geese separately. Confirm current combined limits with Georgia DNR before saving a goose hunt. | 5 daily; combined goose limits apply.source · source |
| Snow & white-fronted geeseReopens Nov. 21, 2026Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Oct. 10 – Oct. 25, 2026 Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. The current guide/flyer groups snow and white-fronted geese under a five-bird limit, while Rule 391-4-2-.43 shares five between Canada and white-fronted geese and lists snow geese separately. Confirm current combined limits with Georgia DNR before saving a goose hunt. | 5 daily combined; confirm shared goose limits in the current guide.source · source |
| Youth under 16 waterfowl daysOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 14 – Nov. 15, 2026 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ. A licensed adult 18+ must accompany the youth and may not hunt. | 6 ducks daily combined, at most 4 sea ducks. Sublimits: 2 mallards (at most 1 hen), 1 black OR mottled duck combined, 2 canvasbacks, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 1 scaup and 3 wood ducks. Sea ducks: up to 3 eiders (at most 1 hen), 3 long-tailed ducks and 3 scoters within the combined limits. Harlequin closed. Coot/gallinules: 15 daily each; mergansers: 5 daily; goose limits still apply.source · source |
| Active duty / veteran waterfowl daysOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Legal waterfowl equipment; non-toxic shot | Nov. 14 – Nov. 15, 2026 | Private land statewide 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Possession limit is 3 times the daily bag. Confirm GA migratory-bird license, federal duck stamp, non-toxic shot and legal equipment. Lake access, setback distances, permits and public-area dates can differ.Confirm qualifying service and carry required licenses and proof. | 6 ducks daily combined, at most 4 sea ducks. Sublimits: 2 mallards (at most 1 hen), 1 black OR mottled duck combined, 2 canvasbacks, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 1 scaup and 3 wood ducks. Sea ducks: up to 3 eiders (at most 1 hen), 3 long-tailed ducks and 3 scoters within the combined limits. Harlequin closed. Coot/gallinules: 15 daily each; mergansers: 5 daily; goose limits still apply.source · source |
LAKES & RESERVOIRS
Verify access, setbacks and permits
Lanier and Allatoona have 600-foot setback rules and designated open areas. Georgia Power lakes have additional permission/setback rules. Lake Walter F. George requires a Corps permit outside Eufaula NWR and limits hunting from land to designated areas. Other named lakes have 300-foot setbacks. Choose public land for public-water reference dates; confirm the exact waterbody before hunting.
Source: Georgia DNR: waterfowl lake restrictions ↗; Georgia guide: migratory-bird dates, bags and special days ↗
BEFORE YOU GO
Licenses, access & check-in
- Confirm the hunting license, big-game privileges where required, harvest record, hunter education and age/residency exemptions. Get permission and verify legal access, hours and equipment.
- Record deer, bear, turkey and alligator harvest before moving it; report through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Confirm additional area, bear-tagging and permit requirements.
- Public areas have their own schedules, quotas and sign-in/check-in rules. A statewide reference does not establish permission to hunt a WMA, VPA, National Forest, park, refuge or reservoir.
- Confirm the GA Waterfowl & Migratory Bird License and federal duck stamp requirements, legal plugged shotgun and non-toxic shot. Youth special days require an adult 18+ who may not hunt. Brant and harlequin duck seasons are closed.
Source: Georgia guide: licenses, hunter education and supervision ↗; Georgia guide: legal equipment, hours and Game Check ↗; Georgia guide: public hunting and WMA requirements ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Plan your hunt
WHERE THESE DATES COME FROM
Official sources
We compare Georgia DNR’s current guide, official season flyers and administrative rules. County exceptions and split dates stay separate. Missing or permit-dependent dates require confirmation. Sources are reviewed weekly, with editorial review before changes are published.
- Georgia DNR: 2026–27 migratory-bird season flyer ↗
- Georgia guide: migratory-bird dates, bags and special days ↗
- Georgia DNR: waterfowl lake restrictions ↗
- Georgia guide: public hunting and WMA requirements ↗
Last checked: Nov. 2, 2026. Saved calendar files and printouts do not update automatically. Report a change.