Ohio · Duck · 2026–27 Edition
Ohio Duck Season 2026–27: Zone Dates & Bag Limits
01 — Seasons by zone
| Season / Segment | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Waterfowl | Statewide | Oct 3 – Oct 4 |
| Military Waterfowl | Statewide | Oct 3 – Oct 4 |
| Duck, Merganser & Coot · Segment 1 | Zone A | Oct 17 – Nov 1 |
| Duck, Merganser & Coot · Segment 1 | Zone B | Oct 17 – Oct 25 |
| Duck, Merganser & Coot · Segment 1 | Zone C | Oct 17 – Oct 25 |
| Duck, Merganser & Coot · Segment 2 | Zone A | Nov 14 – Dec 27 |
| Duck, Merganser & Coot · Segment 2 | Zone B | Nov 21 – Jan 10 |
| Duck, Merganser & Coot · Segment 2 | Zone C | Dec 12 – Jan 31 |
02 — Bag limits
| Duck — Daily | 6, including no more than 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 daily for the first 15 days of the season, 2 daily for the next 45 days |
|---|---|
| Merganser & Coot — Daily | 5 mergansers (max 2 hooded) and 15 coots |
| Youth & Military Waterfowl Days | Same as the regular season |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (October 3, 2026) 06:59 — 19:08
Rule: Half an hour before sunrise to sunset for waterfowl (per Ohio Division of Wildlife). Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Ohio sun times for any other date.
04 — License, HIP & Duck Stamp
Duck hunters in Ohio need three things (in addition to any state-specific waterfowl stamp): an Ohio hunting license, HIP registration (Harvest Information Program) and a Federal Duck Stamp — required for hunters 16+ under federal law.
Ohio hunting license cost & waterfowl stamp →
Where to hunt public land in Ohio — WMAs by county & access rules →
05 — FAQ
When does duck season open in Ohio?
The 2026–27 opener is October 3, 2026. Waterfowl seasons run under federal flyway frameworks with state-set zone splits — see the zone table above.
When does duck season end in Ohio?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 31, 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 Ohio per day?
2026–27 bag limits: Duck — Daily — 6, including no more than 4 mallards (max 2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, or 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 daily for the first 15 days of the season, 2 daily for the next 45 days. Merganser & Coot — Daily — 5 mergansers (max 2 hooded) and 15 coots. Youth & Military Waterfowl Days — Same as the regular season. 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 Ohio?
On opening day (October 3, 2026) legal light runs 06:59 to 19:08. The rule is: Half an hour before sunrise to sunset for waterfowl (per Ohio Division of Wildlife). Sunrise and sunset shift daily, so work the offset against your local Ohio sun times for any other date.
Can I hunt ducks on my own land in Ohio without a license?
Ohio residents who own land — plus their parents, children, and grandchildren under 18 — may hunt it without a hunting license; the same applies to tenants and their children. Deer and turkey still need their own permit.
Verified · Ohio Division of Wildlife · Last verified 2026-08-16
Publisher's note. Dates from the official 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations, waterfowl section. Ohio adopted new waterfowl zone boundaries for 2026-27 — Zone A is northwest Ohio, Zone B is northeast Ohio plus part of the northwest and now includes all of Lake Erie's waters, Zone C is the remainder of the state. Active-duty military and veterans may hunt the same Oct. 3-4 special day as youth, and the two groups may hunt together.