Florida duck season opens on Saturday, November 21, and on Florida’s Nature Coast that means early alarms, cold fronts and the first good flights of teal, redheads and ringnecks working the marshes around Homosassa. Whether you hunt every weekend or are planning your first guided hunt, a little preparation goes a long way once the season starts.
This guide covers the 2026–27 dates, the daily bag limits, the licenses and permits you need, and what to expect on the water around Homosassa. The dates and limits come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Because rules can change, always check the current FWC migratory bird regulations before you hunt.
When Is Florida Duck Season in 2026–27?
The regular season is split into two segments. In addition, there are special hunting days for young hunters and for veterans and active military before and after it. FWC gives the same regular season dates for the whole state.
| Dates | What is open |
|---|---|
| Sept. 19–23, 2026 | Early teal and wood duck season (teal and wood ducks only) |
| Nov. 14, 2026 | Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day |
| Nov. 21–29, 2026 | Regular duck season, first segment |
| Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Regular duck season, second segment |
| Feb. 6–7, 2027 | Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Days |
| Feb. 13, 2027 | Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day |
The first segment covers Thanksgiving week, so it is a popular time to bring family and friends along. After a break of almost two weeks, the season reopens on December 12 and then runs to the end of January. That long second segment is when most hunters do the bulk of their hunting.
Youth days are open to hunters 15 and younger. They must be supervised by an adult 18 or older who does not hunt. Veterans and Active Military days are open to veterans and to members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including the National Guard and Reserves.
Florida Duck Bag Limits for 2026–27
The daily bag limit is six ducks. You can take a single species or a mix. However, several species have their own limits within those six:
- Mallards: 4, and no more than 2 of them hens
- Mottled ducks: 1
- Wood ducks: 3
- Pintails: 3
- Redheads: 2
- Canvasbacks: 2
- Black ducks: 2
- Fulvous whistling-ducks: 1
- Scaup: 1 from Nov. 21–29 and Dec. 12–Jan. 11, then 2 from Jan. 12–31
- Sea ducks: 4, with no more than 3 scoters, long-tailed ducks or eiders, and no more than 1 hen eider
Species without a limit of their own, such as wigeon, gadwall, both teals, ring-necked ducks, buffleheads and shovelers, simply count toward the total of six. The possession limit is three times the daily bag. Also, mottled duck and mallard hybrids count as either species.
On the Nature Coast, the one-mottled-duck limit deserves extra attention. Mottled ducks live in Florida all year and look a lot like hen mallards, so identify every bird before you shoot.
Licenses, Permits and Shooting Hours
To hunt ducks in Florida, you need:
- A Florida hunting license
- A migratory bird permit (no cost)
- A $5 Florida waterfowl permit
- A $28.50 Federal Duck Stamp
The no-cost migratory bird permit is not required for hunters under 16 or over 65. You can buy licenses and permits through Go Outdoors Florida. In addition, nontoxic shot is required for ducks. Shooting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Licenses are not included with a guided hunt, so buy yours before the trip.
A Local Rule Worth Knowing
FWC limits the hunting days in a few places, and one of them is close to home. In the Gulf waters of Hernando County, which borders Citrus County to the south, the area north of Raccoon Point and east of Saddle Key is open to duck hunting only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, as marked by posted signs. If you hunt on your own along this stretch of coast, check the signs and the regulations first.
What to Expect During Florida Duck Season on the Nature Coast
Homosassa sits where salt marsh, tidal creeks, spring-fed rivers and coastal flats meet. That mix of habitat draws a wide variety of ducks each winter. For example, hunters here see blue-winged and green-winged teal, redheads, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, wigeon, gadwall and buffleheads, along with resident mottled ducks. Our guide to the best ducks to hunt in Florida covers several of these species in more detail.
Weather drives much of the action. Cold fronts moving down from the north push new birds into the area, so the days after a front are worth watching. Tides also matter. Water levels change where ducks feed and rest, and they also decide which marsh ponds and creeks you can reach by boat.
For this reason, local knowledge counts. Homosassa’s marshes are full of oyster bars, shallow channels and protected areas. Captain Brian Sawyer hunts them from a 17-foot Timber Creek duck boat, which is built to get through the shallow marshes of old Florida.
Tips for Your First Hunt of the Season
- Buy your hunting license, waterfowl permit and Federal Duck Stamp ahead of time.
- Bring a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun and steel shells. Captain Brian recommends 3-inch #3s.
- Pack waders if your hunt calls for them, plus polarized glasses, a hat and snacks.
- Dress in layers, because mornings on the water can be cold, even in Florida.
- Know the species limits, especially for mottled ducks, scaup and redheads.
Florida Duck Season FAQ
When does duck season start in Florida?
The first Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day is November 14, 2026. After that, the regular season opens on November 21 and runs through November 29, then reopens from December 12 to January 31, 2027.
How many ducks can you shoot in Florida?
The daily limit is six ducks in total. Within those six, there are separate limits for species such as mallards, mottled ducks, redheads, pintails and scaup.
Do you need a duck stamp to hunt in Florida?
Yes. Along with a hunting license and the no-cost migratory bird permit, FWC lists a $5 Florida waterfowl permit and a $28.50 Federal Duck Stamp.
Book a Guided Duck Hunt in Homosassa
Captain Brian Sawyer is a full-time fishing and waterfowl hunting guide in Homosassa, Florida. He offers morning and afternoon duck hunts and provides the decoys, water, cooler and ice, so you can focus on the birds. Guided hunts around the opener and the holidays often fill up quickly, so it pays to plan ahead.
For rates and details, see guided duck hunts in Homosassa, or call Captain Brian at 863-712-5555 to reserve your spot this Florida duck season.
