When Is Texas Duck Season? Here's Your Guide

The unique Texas geography stretching from the Gulf Coast marshes to the inland lakes and rivers supports an impressive diversity of duck species, and during the right season, hunters, both local and interstate, can take advantage of this to bag out. 

This guide looks at the Texas duck season dates, essential regulations, and some essential preparation tips to help you bag out on stunning birds. 

An Overview of Texas Duck Hunting

The Texas coastal and lake region attracts an exciting variety of duck species, including:

• The popular mallard, which inhabits salt and freshwater habitats.
• Pintails, which display their long distinctive tails.
• Teal, which showcases stunning blue-winged and green-winged coloration.
• More Teal, with a unique green eye circling and crown.

This species diversity is one of the major draw cards to the Texas duck season. 

Furthermore, Texas's unique duck hunting opportunities, from the waterfowl-rich marshes, estuaries, and coastal areas to the inland rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, are sure to intrigue hunters. The Lone Star State's diverse geography provides a range of hunting experiences, making it a must-visit destination for duck hunters. 

Know the Duck Hunting Zones 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) administers the season dates and regulations. The Texas duck season dates are split based on zones, which include specific rules. 

Texas is split into North and South Zones for duck hunting, with different season dates. The High Plains Mallard Management Units also have specific hunting season dates and bag limits. The TPWD sets these regulations with federal instructions to ensure stable and sustainable hunting in this essential location. 

The High Plains is an essential stopover and wintering area for many duck species, particularly mallards, and the wetlands provide crucial habitats for these migratory bird species. 

Texas Duck Season Dates for 2024 

The Texas duck season typically runs from early November to late January. However, this is subject to change based on zoning requirements, as specific dates and bag limits may vary. 

The 2024 season dates are as follows: 

Regular Season

• High Plains Mallard Management Unit:  October 26-27 and November 1 thru January 26, 2025
• North Zone: November 9 thru December 1 and December 7 thru January 26, 2025
• South Zone: November 2 thru December 1 and December 14 thru January 26, 2025

Youth, Active Military, and Veterans Season Dates

The youth-only season is a fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the sport of duck hunting and hunting in general. It also teaches them the fundamentals of firearm safety in a controlled environment with less hunting pressure. 

Active duty military and veterans can also hunt during these dates.

• High Plains Mallard Management Unit:  October 19-20
• North Zone: November 2-3
• South Zone: October 26-27

"Dusky" Duck

Ever hunted dusky duck? Here are your opportunities to do so in Texas.

• High Plains Mallard Management Unit:  November 4 thru January 26, 2025
• North Zone: November 14 thru December 1 and December 7 thru January 26, 2025
• South Zone: November 7 thru December 1 and December 14 thru January 26, 2025

Bag Limits and Regulations 

As a hunter, you must be increasingly discerning and cautious when duck hunting to stay within the allocation of any species.

The bag limit for all duck species (except coots) is 6, including mergansers. The limit can consist of no more than five mallards (only two hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup, one pintail, and 1 "dusky" duck (mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck, and their hybrids are closed the first five days of the season in each zone).

When hunting coots, you can bag 15.

Additionally, the possession limit is three times the daily bag limit for all ducks.  

Please note that baiting is highly illegal. However, duck hunters are permitted to hunt on agricultural land as long as no grain or seed is in the vicinity.

Licensing and Permits

All hunters in Texas, regardless of their target species, must have a hunting license, which differs in cost depending on age, veteran status, physical limitations, and state residency. Hunter education is also mandatory for any hunter born before September 2, 1971. 

In addition to a license and hunter education certificate, duck hunters must also have a mandatory Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (16 and older) and a Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement (Exceptions include those under the age of 17, Lifetime Resident Combination holders, and Lifetime Resident Hunting license holders).

Finally, an annual public hunting permit may be required to hunt some specific zones. 

Preparation and Scouting

Texas is a special hunting area because of its diversity of duck hunting areas and the expanse of public lands, including wildlife management areas, state parks, and forests. 

Scouting potential locations is a crucial first step for a successful hunt. It involves thorough research into bird patterning, population numbers, previous year's harvesting figures, migration patterns, water levels, and other relevant information.

This research will guide you in using the HuntWise app to mark potential hunting locations based on roosting areas, feeding zones, and accessing private landowner permission. Don't forget to pull out the binoculars and watch the bird movements on site.

Make Sure You Have the Right Gear and Equipment

Along with your 12 or 20-gauge, appropriate ammo, camouflage, and waders, the diversity of species in Texas calls for a wide variety of decoys.

Consider implementing a varied species spread to attract a broader range of waterfowl to hit those bag limits discussed above. 

Weather Considerations

Adverse weather patterns will impact duck behavior: the worse the weather, the greater the hunting.

Changes such as cold fronts trigger feeding activity in the birds as they seek to build up their energy reserves. This activity means the birds will be more active during daylight hours. 

Storms and heavy winds can also affect bird behavior. Birds tend to bunker down and seek out protection from the heavy weather. This can isolate birds and make tracking much easier, as they have limited options. 

For an all-in-one solution to stay on top of forecasting, wind patterns, and additional factors such as bird movement, download the HuntWise app. Use HuntCast and WindCast to identify the best times to hunt ducks in Texas!

Enjoy Better Texas Duck Hunting Success With HuntWise 

While there are a few hoops to jump through before preparing for the Texas duck season, it's well worth it. There's a reason why duck hunters are some of the most passionate and dedicated hunters around, and we hope this guide helps you get in on that action this season!

Grab the HuntWise app to gain valuable insights on everything from mapping to wind forecasting, hunting tips, and even discounted gear from our partners.

If it's your first time using the app, we want you to explore it free for a week! Start planning your Texas duck for free today.