Virginia · Duck · 2026–27 Edition
Virginia Duck Season 2026–27: Zones, Dates, Bag Limits & Shooting Hours
Sep 19 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons by zone
| Season / Segment | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| September Teal | East of I-95 | Sep 19 – Sep 27 |
| September Teal | West of I-95 | Sep 22 – Sep 27 |
| Regular Duck · Segment 1 (black duck closed) | Statewide | Oct 9 – Oct 12 |
| Youth & Veterans Waterfowl Day | Statewide | Oct 24 – Oct 24 |
| Regular Duck · Segment 2 | Statewide | Nov 18 – Nov 29 |
| Regular Duck · Segment 3 | Statewide | Dec 19 – Jan 31 |
| Youth & Veterans Waterfowl Day | Statewide | Feb 6 – Feb 6 |
02 — Bag limits
| September Teal — Daily | 6 (blue-winged and green-winged teal only), 18 possession |
|---|---|
| Regular Duck — Daily | 6 of any species except: max 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks (closed Oct 9-12), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling-duck, 4 sea ducks |
| Scaup — Daily | 1/day for 40 days (Oct 9-12, Nov 18-29, Dec 19-Jan 11); 2/day for 20 days (Jan 12-31) |
| Possession (all) | 3× daily bag |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 19, 2026) 06:31 — 19:16
Rule: One-half hour before sunrise until sunset for all waterfowl (per VA DWR).. Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Virginia sun times for any other date.
04 — License, HIP & Duck Stamp
Duck hunters in Virginia need three things (in addition to any state-specific waterfowl stamp): a Virginia hunting license, free federal HIP registration (Harvest Information Program) and a Federal Duck Stamp — required for hunters 16+ under federal law.
Virginia licenses & permits — Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources →
05 — FAQ
When does duck season open in Virginia?
The 2026–27 opener is September 19, 2026. Waterfowl seasons run under federal flyway frameworks with state-set zone splits — see the zone table above.
When does duck season end in Virginia?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is February 6, 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 at fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp.
Verified · Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Per VA DWR 2026-2027 migratory game bird seasons. September Teal is split by the I-95 line. Black duck is CLOSED during the Oct 9-12 duck segment. Scaup daily bag switches: 1/day for 40 days (Oct 9-12, Nov 18-29, Dec 19-Jan 11), then 2/day for 20 days (Jan 12-31). Requires hunting license + HIP + Federal Duck Stamp (16+) + Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp.