2018-2019 Duck Seasons & Regulations
- Youth-Only
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit Oct. 20 - 21, 2018
- North Zone Nov. 3 - 4, 2018
- South Zone Oct. 27 - 28, 2018
- Regular Season
-
High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Oct. 27 - 28, 2018
Nov. 2, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 -
North Zone
Nov. 10 - 25, 2018
Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 -
South Zone
Nov. 3 - 25, 2018
Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 - "Dusky" Duck
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit Nov. 5, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019
-
North Zone
Nov. 15 - 25, 2018
Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 -
South Zone
Nov. 8 - 25, 2018
Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 - Falconry
- North Zone Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019
- South Zone Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019
Bag Limits
| Animal/Method | Daily Bag Limit | Daily Bag Aggregate | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck | 6 birds | May include no more than:
|
Three times daily bag limit |
| Merganser | 5 birds | May include no more than 2 hooded mergansers | Three times daily bag limit |
| Coot | 15 birds | Three times daily bag limit | |
| Falconry | 3 birds | May include migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate | Three times daily bag limit |
Duck Hunting Zone Map
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit
- West of a line from the International Toll Bridge at Del Rio, north along U.S. Hwy. 277 to Abilene, State Hwy. 351 and State Hwy. 6 to Albany, and U.S. Hwy. 283 to Vernon, east along U.S. Hwy. 183 to the Texas-Oklahoma state line.
- South Zone
- South of a line from the International Bridge and U.S. 277 Spur at Del Rio, east along U.S. 90 to San Antonio, east along IH 10 to the Texas-Louisiana state line.
- North Zone
- Remainder of the state.
Duck Hunting Regulations
Hunting Hours
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Dusky (Mottled) Duck Harvest Off-limits First Five Days
Duck hunters in Texas will have to keep an eye peeled for dusky ducks and fingers off the trigger during the first five days of the season again this year, as concern about the mottled duck populations have forced a delay in harvest. A dusky duck is defined as a mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is holding Texas and Louisiana to a harvest reduction of West Gulf Coast Population of mottled ducks, citing a need for additional conservation based on estimated population declines resulting from major storms in recent years and continued habitat loss.
Due to similarities in appearance, all dusky ducks will be off limits during the first five days of the season with a daily bag limit of one starting Nov. 9 in the South duck zone and Nov. 16 in the North duck zone. In the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, dusky ducks may not be taken until Nov. 6.
Youth Only Season
16 years of age or younger. Regular season bag limits apply for all legal species of geese, ducks, mergansers and coots. Dusky ducks are legal during the youth only season. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age.
Falconry Season
A person holding a valid Texas falconry permit may take migratory game birds by means of falconry from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during open seasons listed herein and during the falconry seasons.
License Requirements
Hunting License
All migratory game bird hunters must have a valid hunting license.
Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement
Required to hunt any migratory game bird (waterfowl, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, dove, sandhill crane, and woodcock). A valid Federal Duck Stamp and HIP Certification are also required of waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older.
Harvest Information Program
When you purchase a hunting license, indicate to the license clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions.