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.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 27 – Nov 30 Regular Duck Season - Thanksgiving Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 7 – Jan 31 Regular Duck Season - Main Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup 1 scaup first 15 days, 2 remaining; combined lesser + greater | 2 | 6 |
1Thanksgiving Day + 3 consecutive days Mississippi Flyway sub-limits: 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 1 black duck, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup.
2Mississippi Flyway sub-limits: 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 1 black duck, 1 mottled duck, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood ducks, 2 scaup.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Sep 20 – Sep 24 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Nov 27 – Feb 15 Dark Geese - Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Eastern Goose Zone2 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 Early September Canada Goose - Eastern Zone | 5 | 15 |
| Western Goose Zone3 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early September Canada Goose - Western Zone | 5 | 15 |
1Max 3 Canada/cackling geese. No dark goose hunting at Laurel River Lake or Cave Run Lake posted areas.
2Eastern Goose Zone only. Canada geese only.
3Western Goose Zone only. Canada geese only.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Nov 27 – Feb 15 Light Geese - Regular Season | 20 | – |
1Snow, blue, Ross geese. [Bulk fix: possession_limit set to NULL — light geese have no federal possession limit in any flyway]
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Feb 16 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1No daily bag or possession limit. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted. Shooting hours extended to 30 min after sunset.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Nov 27 – Nov 30 Coots - Thanksgiving Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 7 – Jan 31 Coots - Main Split |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Nov 27 – Nov 30 Mergansers - Thanksgiving Split | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 7 – Jan 31 Mergansers - Main Split |
1Max 2 hooded mergansers
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 22 – Nov 22 Youth Waterfowl Day - Fall | 6 | – |
| Feb 14 – Feb 14 Youth Waterfowl Day - Spring |
1Saturday before Thanksgiving. Youth 15 or younger with licensed adult.
22nd Saturday in February. Youth 15 or younger with licensed adult.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Nov 23 – Nov 23 Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day - Fall | 6 | – |
| Feb 8 – Feb 8 Veterans/Military Waterfowl Day - Spring |
1Sunday before Thanksgiving. Active military and veterans with valid ID.
22nd Sunday in February. Active military and veterans with valid ID.
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.