Duck Season in Georgia: 2025-2026 Dates and Rules
Georgia's duck season runs across two split periods each winter. Missing the exact dates or license rules will cut your hunt short. You need to know the state regulations before stepping into the marsh. You also need the right gear ready on opening morning. This guide covers the 2025-2026 dates, daily limits, required stamps, and gear tips. It will help you plan a smooth, safe, and successful hunt.
2025-2026 Georgia Duck Season Dates
The Georgia Board of Natural Resources approved the 2025-2026 migratory bird dates. Waterfowl hunters get several distinct opportunities across the fall and winter months.
Season Breakdown
Early teal season: Runs September 13–21, 2025. This season was shortened to 9 days due to breeding population declines.
Youth, Veteran, and Active-Duty Military Days: Runs November 15–16, 2025. These dates give specific groups early access before the general opening day.
First Duck Split: Runs November 22–30, 2025. This season covers the busy Thanksgiving hunting week.
Second Duck Split: Opens December 6, 2025, and runs through January 25, 2026. This is the primary winter season for Georgia hunters.
Hunting Period | 2025-2026 Calendar Dates | Eligible Hunters |
Early Teal Season | Sept. 13 – Sept. 21, 2025 | All licensed hunters |
Youth / Veteran / Military Days | Nov. 15 – Nov. 16, 2025 | Youth (under 16), active military, and veterans |
Ducks (First Split) | Nov. 22 – Nov. 30, 2025 | All licensed hunters |
Ducks (Second Split) | Dec. 6, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026 | All licensed hunters |
Daily Bag Limits
The general daily bag limit is six ducks total. You cannot shoot six of just any species, though. Strict species caps apply inside that total number:
Species | Daily limit |
Wood duck | 3 |
Mallard | 2 (only 1 hen) |
Redhead | 2 |
Canvasback | 2 |
Scaup | 1 |
Pintail | 1 |
Black or mottled duck | 1 |
Fulvous whistling duck | 1 |
The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. It applies to birds in your truck, freezer, or hunting camp.
Cold mornings are part of the deal in late November. A few cold-weather hunting tips are worth knowing before you sit in standing water for three hours.
With the dates locked in, the next step is making sure all the required paperwork is in order.
Licenses and Permits Required
Hunting waterfowl legally in Georgia requires specific documents. You cannot just buy a standard hunting license and walk into the marsh.
Both state and federal agencies regulate migratory bird hunting. Game wardens check for these items regularly on public and private water.
Essential Waterfowl Documents
Georgia Hunting License: Residents and non-residents need a basic hunting license.
Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp: This state endorsement is mandatory for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older.
Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit: You must complete the annual HIP survey questions when buying your license.
Federal Duck Stamp: Anyone age 16 or older must carry a signed federal duck stamp. You can buy electronic stamps (e-Stamps) online instantly.
Georgia Waterfowl Conservation License: Required for select public tracts and specific state hunting access areas.
Shotgun Shell and Ammunition Rules
Federal law strictly forbids lead shot for hunting ducks, geese, and coots. You must load your gun with approved nontoxic shot:
Steel shot (most common and economical choice)
Bismuth shot (denser pattern, softer on vintage shotgun barrels)
Tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, or TSS blends (premium pattern density)
Your shotgun cannot hold more than three shells total. Most shotguns hold four to five shells from the factory. You must insert a wooden or plastic plug to limit capacity to three rounds.
If you are new to waterfowling, learn the essential firearm handling and field safety basics before getting started in hunting for the first time.
Once licensing is settled, you need to think about power for early mornings in the blind.
Powering a Blind Before Sunrise
Duck hunting means waking up long before sunrise. You haul decoys across wet muck, assemble gear, and set up by headlamp. Temperatures drop quickly while you sit motionless over freezing swamp water. Cell phones lose battery charge fast in near-freezing air.
Small gas generators are heavy and smell like gasoline. The loud engine noise will spook incoming mallards and wood ducks for miles. A silent portable power station solves this problem. It runs completely silent, emits zero exhaust, and tucks cleanly under a bench. You get quiet warmth, working spotlights, and powered spinning-wing decoys all morning.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus provides portable, silent electricity inside the blind. It keeps critical gear running without giving away your hunting position.
For extended hunting trips and multi-day blind setups, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max offers heavy-duty storage capacity. It handles continuous power needs in deep woods camps.
These units pair well with hunting camp power solutions for base camps too. Charge them at the truck the night before and you're set.
With gear and power sorted, knowing where to actually hunt rounds out the planning.
Where to Hunt Ducks in Georgia
The Richard B. Russell Project hosts youth waterfowl hunts through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during December and January. Public wildlife management areas across the state offer designated waterfowl hunting opportunities. Scouting flooded timber and agricultural fields ahead of the season improves the odds significantly on opening day.
Public Wildlife Management Areas
Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas offer designated waterfowl opportunities. Some of the better-known spots include:
Altamaha WMA (Butler and Champney Islands): managed impoundments, often by quota
West Point WMA (Glovers Creek area)
Oconee WMA (Dan Denton Waterfowl Area)
B.F. Grant WMA
Rum Creek and other smaller sites
Many of these require a quota permit. Application windows usually open in summer. Shooting hours often end at noon on managed ponds. Other WMA land stays open during regular season days when small-game rules allow. Always check the current WMA regulations before you go. Rules change by tract.
Scouting Flooded Timber and Fields
Scouting pays off more than almost anything else. Drive the areas a week or two before opening day. Look for:
Flooded timber stands
Agricultural fields holding water
Shallow beaver ponds and creeks
Watch bird movement at dawn and dusk. Note wind direction and easy access points. A quick scouting trip can turn an average morning into a limit day.
Staying warm in wet, windy blinds requires preparation for conditions beyond basic shooting supplies. Focus on packing the right gear for a cold-weather hunt so sudden temperature drops never cut your sit short.
Whichever spot gets chosen, the right gear list makes the actual morning go smoother.
What to Pack for a Georgia Duck Hunt
Waterfowl hunting tests your equipment against water, mud, and freezing winds. Missing a critical piece of gear will ruin your hunt before shooting hours begin.
Outerwear and Waders
Breathable chest waders: Neoprene waders trap sweat while walking. Modern breathable waders with 800g to 1200g Thinsulate boots keep you dry and nimble.
Layered clothing system: Wear moisture-wicking merino wool against your skin. Add a fleece mid-layer, and finish with a windproof, waterproof camouflage shell jacket.
Waterproof gloves: Pack two pairs. Wear light shooting gloves for shooting, and insulated waterproof gauntlets for tossing icy decoys.
Blind Bag Gear Checklist
Pack an organized, waterproof floating blind bag. It protects your gear when sitting in ankle-deep swamp water:
Shotgun shells: Two boxes of nontoxic steel or bismuth #2, #3, or #4 shot.
Duck calls: One reliable double-reed acrylic mallard call and a 6-in-1 wood duck/teal whistle.
Optics: Compact waterproof 8x32 binoculars for watching rafted ducks at first light.
Headlamps: Red or green light modes preserve night vision while tossing decoys in the dark.
Thermos: Hot coffee or soup to warm you during slow mid-morning hours.
First-aid and dry bag: Waterproof matches, zip ties, a compact trauma kit, and dry spare socks.
Decoy Rigging and Tools
Texas-rigged floating duck decoys (12 to 24 decoys for timber; 36 or more for open reservoirs)
Decoy retrieval pole or motorized jerk rig
Heavy-duty mud push pole for navigating stump-filled marshes
Folding blind stool with a wide, anti-sink base
A solid hunting camp essentials checklist helps you sort out the extra gear for a full weekend in the field.
Conclusion
Georgia's 2025–2026 duck season runs November 22–30 and December 6 through January 25, alongside September's early teal days. Double-check your stamps, permits, and split-season dates before opening morning arrives. Cold, dark sits demand dependable backup power away from the truck. Bring along the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus or DELTA 3 Max to keep your lights, personal heaters, and electronics powered quietly throughout the entire hunt.
FAQs
When does duck season start in Georgia for 2025-2026?
Georgia's regular duck season starts November 22, 2025. The first split runs through November 30. The second split begins December 6 and runs through January 25, 2026.
What license do I need to hunt ducks in Georgia?
Georgia requires migratory bird hunters to have a valid hunting license, Georgia migratory bird license, and federal Duck Stamp license. Hunters 16 and older also need a current Federal Duck Stamp or E-Stamp under federal rules.
What is the daily bag limit for ducks in Georgia?
Six ducks per day, with species caps inside that limit, including three wood ducks, two mallards with only one hen, one pintail, and one scaup. Possession limits run three times the daily bag.
Is lead shot allowed for duck hunting in Georgia?
No, lead shot is strictly prohibited for waterfowl hunting under federal and state law. Georgia hunters must use approved nontoxic ammunition such as steel, bismuth, or tungsten shot while hunting ducks in the field.
Are there special waterfowl days for youth or veterans in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia scheduled Youth, Veteran, and Active-Duty Military Waterfowl Days for November 15-16, 2025. Youth hunters must be 15 or younger and accompanied by an adult who is at least 18.
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