Season Dates & Regulations

In the late summer of each year the NC Wildlife Commission releasing the season dates and regulations for the upcoming NC duck season. Once they release the regulations each year we will post below for your convenience. If you have additional questions, you can always visit the NC Wildlife Resource Commission website.

2025/26 General Duck Season Dates:

  • December 18, 2025 -January 31, 2026

2025/26 Bag Limits:

Includes a total of 6 ducks with no more than 4 total sea ducks [no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks], 4 mallards with no more than 2 hen mallards, 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck and 1 fulvous whistling duck. Prior to January 9 the scaup bag limit is 1, on January 9 and after it is 2. 5 mergansers (no more than 2 hooded mergansers), and 15 coots.

The season on harlequin ducks is closed.

2025/26 Brant Season:

December 29, 2025-January 31, 2026, Limit 1 per person per day

NC Waterfowl Hunt License Requirements:

To hunt waterfowl in North Carolina, individuals must possess various licenses, permits, stamps, and certifications. Specifically, hunters must obtain the following:

  • A state hunting license. There are several types available.
  •  North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege*
  • For resident hunters, this additional privilege and fee is not required if you hold a Sportsman’s license (lifetime, disabled, or annual), or a Comprehensive Hunting license (lifetime or annual). You are required to purchase this additional privilege for all other license types. For non-resident hunters this fee is not required for Lifetime Sportsman’s license holders, but is required for those non- residents holding a short-term or basic non-resident hunting license.
  • Federal Duck Stamp
  • HIP (Harvest Information Program) Certification. Certification is free of charge. Please note that HIP certification is required for each state that you hunt. Non-resident hunters that have been certified in another state, must be HIP certified in North Carolina as well.

Please see the current North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest for additional information regarding license types and costs.

* Hunters are no longer required to carry the North Carolina duck stamp while hunting for waterfowl; however, the current year’s duck stamp will be available for collecting purposes. Call 1-888-248-6834 for more information.

**DISCLAIMER: This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of regulations. You are responsible for knowing all applicable laws and regulations. Please consult the official NC Wildlife Resource Commission website for all waterfowl hunt regulations.