Kansas · Duck · 2026–27 Edition
Kansas Duck Season 2026–27: Zone Dates & Bag Limits
01 — Seasons by zone
| Season / Segment | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Youth / Veteran / Active Military Day | Low Plains — Early Zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 |
| Youth / Veteran / Active Military Day | High Plains Unit | Oct 3 – Oct 4 |
| Duck · Segment 1 | Low Plains — Early Zone | Oct 10 – Dec 6 |
| Duck · Segment 1 | High Plains Unit | Oct 10 – Jan 3 |
| Youth / Veteran / Active Military Day | Low Plains — Late Zone | Oct 17 – Oct 18 |
| Youth / Veteran / Active Military Day | Low Plains — Southeast Zone | Oct 24 – Oct 25 |
| Duck · Segment 1 | Low Plains — Late Zone | Oct 31 – Jan 3 |
| Duck · Segment 1 | Low Plains — Southeast Zone | Nov 7 – Jan 3 |
| Duck · Segment 2 | Low Plains — Southeast Zone | Jan 16 – Jan 31 |
| Duck · Segment 2 | Low Plains — Early Zone | Dec 19 – Jan 3 |
| Duck · Segment 2 | Low Plains — Late Zone | Jan 23 – Jan 31 |
| Duck · Segment 2 | High Plains Unit | Jan 22 – Jan 31 |
| Extended Falconry Season | Low Plains — all zones (High Plains: closed) | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
02 — Bag limits
| Daily — Ducks & Mergansers (all zones) | 6 in any combination, with species/sex sub-limits: 5 mallards (max 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup |
|---|---|
| Coot | 15 per day |
| Extended Falconry | No more than 3 migratory birds (coot, dove, rail, crow, snipe, woodcock, and any migratory species) in any combination |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 26, 2026) 06:54 — 19:21
Rule: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (per KDWP waterfowl shooting hours). Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Kansas sun times for any other date.
04 — License, HIP & Duck Stamp
Duck hunters in Kansas need three things (in addition to any state-specific waterfowl stamp): a Kansas hunting license, HIP registration (Harvest Information Program) and a Federal Duck Stamp — required for hunters 16+ under federal law.
Kansas hunting license cost & waterfowl stamp →
Where to hunt public land in Kansas — WMAs by county & access rules →
05 — FAQ
When does duck season open in Kansas?
The 2026–27 opener is September 26, 2026. Waterfowl seasons run under federal flyway frameworks with state-set zone splits — see the zone table above.
When does duck season end in Kansas?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is March 10, 2027. Late-zone and second-segment closes vary — see the zone table.
Do I need a Federal Duck Stamp?
Yes. Every waterfowl hunter 16 or older must carry a signed current-year Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp). It is available at U.S. Post Offices, many license retailers, most National Wildlife Refuges, and online from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
How many ducks can you shoot in Kansas per day?
2026–27 bag limits: Daily — Ducks & Mergansers (all zones) — 6 in any combination, with species/sex sub-limits: 5 mallards (max 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Coot — 15 per day. Extended Falconry — No more than 3 migratory birds (coot, dove, rail, crow, snipe, woodcock, and any migratory species) in any combination. Limits are set per zone and per permit — check the agency's own regulations before you hunt.
What time can you start shooting ducks in Kansas?
On opening day (September 26, 2026) legal light runs 06:54 to 19:21. The rule is: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (per KDWP waterfowl shooting hours). Sunrise and sunset shift daily, so work the offset against your local Kansas sun times for any other date.
Can I hunt ducks on my own land in Kansas without a license?
A Kansas resident, or an immediate family member living with them, is exempt on land they own or lease for agricultural purposes — no minimum acreage applies. Deer still needs its own permit regardless.
Verified · Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · Last verified 2026-08-16
Publisher's note. Duck zones per KDWP 'When to Hunt': High Plains Unit + Low Plains Unit (Early Zone / Late Zone / Southeast Zone). Extended Falconry Season is Low-Plains only (High Plains: closed). Youth/Veteran/Active Military Days precede the regular openers by zone. Re-verified 2026-08-16 via the Browser pane (curl/WebFetch get a 403 from ksoutdoors.gov's WAF, the rendered browser does not) — all segments, zones, and youth dates confirmed exact, no changes.