Oregon Duck Season Dates 2026-2027: Zones, Limits & Regulations
Duck season in Oregon for 2026-2027 runs from early October through late January, with exact dates depending on which of the state’s two duck hunting zones you hunt in. The Oregon duck hunting season is split into two segments in both zones, giving hunters an early-October opener and a long winter stretch that runs to Jan. 31 in Zone 1. Whether you’re a first-time waterfowler or a seasoned layout-blind veteran, this guide breaks down the official 2026-2027 dates, bag limits, license requirements, and costs using the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) published regulations.
One thing to know before going afield: migratory bird rules are set annually within federal frameworks, and wildlife areas, refuges, and controlled hunts add their own layers of rules. Regulations can change, so always verify current rules with ODFW before you hunt. If you’re planning trips in other states, our state season guides cover hunting seasons across the country.
Oregon Duck Season 2026-2027 at a Glance
| Information | 2026-2027 Details |
|---|---|
| Regular Duck Season | Zone 1: Oct. 17 – Nov. 1 & Nov. 5 – Jan. 31, 2027 • Zone 2: Oct. 10 – Nov. 29 & Dec. 3 – Jan. 24, 2027 |
| Hunting Zones | Two duck zones (Zone 1 and Zone 2), plus a separate South Coast Zone for scaup |
| Daily Bag Limit | 7 ducks (including mergansers), with species sub-limits |
| Possession Limit | Triple the daily bag limit (21 ducks) |
| Shooting Hours | Published in ODFW’s official shooting hours table by zone and date |
| Youth Waterfowl Days | Sept. 26–27, 2026 (statewide, hunters 17 and under) |
| Veteran/Military Days | Feb. 6, 2027 (statewide) |
| Early Teal Season | Not offered in Oregon |
| Required License | Oregon hunting license ($39 resident / $193 nonresident) |
| Oregon Waterfowl Stamp | Waterfowl Validation, $15 (age 18+); nonresident game bird validation $50 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | Required for hunters 16 and older ($25 in person / $29 e-stamp) |
| HIP Registration | Required, free |
All dates and fees below come from ODFW’s official 2026-27 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations.
Oregon Duck Season Dates for 2026-2027
The official 2026-2027 duck season dates have been finalized and published by ODFW. Oregon uses two duck zones, and both zones have split seasons — a short first segment in October and a longer second segment running into the new year.
| Duck Hunting Zone | Segment 1 | Segment 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (western and northern Oregon) | Oct. 17 – Nov. 1, 2026 | Nov. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Zone 2 (central, southern, and eastern Oregon) | Oct. 10 – Nov. 29, 2026 | Dec. 3, 2026 – Jan. 24, 2027 |
Key dates to circle on your calendar:
- Zone 1 opening day: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026; closing day: Jan. 31, 2027
- Zone 2 opening day: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026; closing day: Jan. 24, 2027
- Zone 1 split: closed Nov. 2–4, 2026 (reopens Nov. 5)
- Zone 2 split: closed Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2026 (reopens Dec. 3)
Scaup note: Scaup (bluebills) have their own, shorter open season within the duck seasons:
| Zone | Scaup Season |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Zone 2 | Oct. 10 – Nov. 29, 2026 & Dec. 3, 2026 – Jan. 6, 2027 |
If you hunt the Zone 2 late season, scaup are off the menu after Jan. 6 — species identification matters. Coots run concurrent with duck seasons by zone (daily limit 25), and Wilson’s snipe seasons are Nov. 7 – Feb. 21, 2027 in Zone 1 and Oct. 10 – Jan. 24, 2027 in Zone 2, with an 8-bird daily limit.
Oregon Duck Hunting Zones
Oregon divides the state into two duck hunting zones for seasons and bag limits:
- Zone 1 covers western and northern Oregon — think the Willamette Valley, the Portland metro lowlands, the north coast, and the Columbia Basin lowlands. This is Oregon’s mallard and wigeon heartland, anchored by the famous flooded pastures around the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and the Willamette Valley refuges.
- Zone 2 covers central, southern, and eastern Oregon — the High Desert, the Klamath Basin, the Columbia Plateau, and the south coast interior. The Klamath Basin historically ranks among the most important waterfowl wintering areas in the Pacific Flyway.
The zone boundaries follow highways, rivers, and county lines, so a spot a mile apart can sit in different zones with different season dates. Always confirm which zone your hunting location falls in using ODFW’s official duck, snipe, and mourning dove zone map, published in the Oregon Game Bird Hunting regulations. Don’t reproduce the map from memory — pull it up and verify before opening day.
Oregon Duck Season Bag Limits
The Oregon duck bag limit for 2026-2027 is 7 ducks per day (including mergansers), with strict species sub-limits inside that total:
| Duck Species | Daily Limit | Important Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard | 4 total | No more than 2 hen mallards |
| Hen Mallard | 2 | Included within mallard limit |
| Wood Duck | Included in 7 | No sub-limit beyond overall bag |
| Northern Pintail | 3 | Sub-limit within daily bag |
| Canvasback | 2 | Sub-limit within daily bag |
| Redhead | 2 | Sub-limit within daily bag |
| Scaup | 2 | Only during open scaup season (dates differ by zone) |
| Black Duck | N/A | American black ducks do not occur in Oregon; no separate limit established |
| Mottled Duck | N/A | Mottled ducks do not occur in Oregon; no separate limit established |
| Harlequin Duck | 1 | Sub-limit within daily bag |
| Other Ducks | Included in 7 | Combined with mergansers under the overall 7-duck total |
Possession limit: The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit — 21 ducks total, including no more than 9 pintails, 6 hen mallards, 6 redheads, 6 canvasbacks, 6 scaup, and 3 harlequin ducks. That means once you’ve taken a daily limit, you cannot hunt ducks again until the birds are at a permanent residence or given to another person, and birds must remain identifiable while in transport.
What License Do You Need to Hunt Ducks in Oregon?
Duck hunting requires several documents beyond a base license. Here’s the full stack.
Oregon Hunting License
Every duck hunter 12 and older needs a valid Oregon hunting license. Residents pay $39; nonresidents pay $193 for the annual license. Youth hunters get a steep break — a Youth Combination License (ages 12–17) costs $10, and hunters 11 and younger can get a free youth game bird hunting license. Nonresidents who want a short trip can also look at the three-day game bird hunting license option in the ODFW fee schedule.
Oregon Waterfowl Stamp / Validation
Oregon has modernized its duck stamp system: instead of a physical stamp, hunters buy a Waterfowl Validation ($15 for ages 18 and older, valid July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Hunters ages 12–17 pay a reduced youth waterfowl validation of $4. Nonresidents 18 and older need the nonresident game bird validation ($50). Collectible state waterfowl stamps and the annual stamp art competition still exist, but the validation is what legally covers you in the field.
Federal Duck Stamp
All duck hunters 16 years of age and older must carry a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). For the 2026-2027 season, the stamp costs $25 if purchased in person or $29 as an electronic stamp through the official USFWS Duck Stamp program. If you buy an e-stamp, you must carry the confirmation and follow the federal possession rules; if you buy a physical stamp, you must sign it in ink across the face and carry it on your person while hunting. Note that e-stamps are valid immediately for the season but a physical stamp is mailed later — you’re legal the moment you buy the electronic version.
HIP Registration
The Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a federal-state data system that tracks migratory bird hunters for harvest surveys. Every migratory bird hunter in Oregon must have a valid HIP validation — and it’s free. You complete HIP registration when you buy your license through ODFW (online at myodfw.com, at a license agent, or through the ODFW app), answering a few screening questions about last season’s harvest.
Summary Table
| Requirement | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | Required ($39) | Required ($193) | Youth 12–17: $10; age 11 and under: free youth game bird license |
| HIP Registration | Required (free) | Required (free) | Completed during license purchase |
| Oregon Waterfowl Stamp/Validation | Required, $15 (18+) | Nonresident game bird validation, $50 | Youth (12–17): $4 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | Required, 16+ ($25/$29) | Required, 16+ ($25/$29) | Signed physical stamp or e-stamp confirmation |
Oregon Duck Hunting License Costs for 2026-2027
ODFW adjusted several fees for 2026, so double-check totals at purchase. Here are the official 2026-27 figures:
| License or Permit | Resident Cost | Nonresident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License | $39.00 | $193.00 |
| Waterfowl Validation (age 18+) | $15.00 | $50.00 (nonresident game bird validation) |
| Youth Waterfowl Validation (ages 12–17) | $4.00 | $4.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp (16+) | $25.00 in person / $29.00 e-stamp | $25.00 in person / $29.00 e-stamp |
| HIP Registration | Free | Free |
| Youth Combination License (12–17) | $10.00 | — |
| Youth Game Bird Hunting License (11 and under) | Free | Free |
A few cost notes: validations are valid July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, matching the license year. If you launch a non-motorized boat at many Oregon water accesses, a separate Waterway Access Permit applies ($22 annual for most craft). Sea duck hunters in some coastal areas may also need the $2 Sea Duck Permit — check the regulations for where it applies.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in Oregon
Oregon gives young hunters two full statewide days before the regular season opens:
- Dates: Sept. 26–27, 2026
- Eligibility: Hunters 17 years old and younger, each accompanied by a non-hunting adult 21 or older
- Requirements: Youth must carry a Hunter Safety Education Certificate, a valid hunting license with HIP validation, an area permit where required, a state waterfowl validation if 12 or older, and a federal duck stamp if 16 or older
- Bag limits: Regular established bag limits apply — ducks (including scaup), mergansers, coots, and geese
The accompanying adult cannot hunt during the youth days, making this a genuine mentorship weekend. Several wildlife areas and refuges also run youth-focused reservation hunts and waive reservation fees for youth hunt days — check the ODFW youth hunting opportunities page and apply early, since applications for some youth hunts close in early September.
Veteran and Active-Duty Military Waterfowl Hunting Days
Oregon sets aside one special statewide waterfowl day for those who’ve served:
- Date: Feb. 6, 2027 (after the regular season closes)
- Who qualifies: Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, U.S. Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve members on active duty (other than for training)
- Documentation: Valid proof of veteran or active-duty status issued by the U.S. Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs
- Required documents: Valid hunting license, state waterfowl or nonresident game bird validation, HIP validation, and Federal Duck Stamp
- Bag limits: Regular established bag limits apply — this is not a reduced-limit hunt
Most ODFW wildlife areas are open for this hunt (excluding areas with big-game seasonal closures), and daily hunt permits apply where required. At Sauvie Island and the Fern Ridge Coyote units, public hunt permits are issued through random drawings at check stations on the day of the hunt — arrive 1.5–2 hours before shooting time to enter, and note that shooting hours end early (4:00 p.m. at Sauvie Island; 1:00 p.m. in the Fern Ridge Coyote units).
Early Teal Season in Oregon
Oregon does not offer a separate early teal season for 2026-2027. Unlike states such as Texas or Florida, Oregon’s teal harvest is folded into the regular duck season — green-winged and blue-winged teal are included in the 7-duck daily bag. If you’re chasing early-season teal, your opportunity is the Youth Waterfowl Weekend (Sept. 26–27) and the early days of the regular season segments in each zone.
Oregon Duck Hunting Shooting Hours
Legal shooting hours for ducks in Oregon are not a single statewide clock time — ODFW publishes an official shooting hours table that varies slightly by zone (A, B, C, D) and by date throughout the season, generally running from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Because sunrise and sunset shift through the fall and winter, print or screenshot the current table from the official shooting hours page and keep it with your license.
Key exceptions to watch:
- Some state and federal areas set their own shooting hours — always check wildlife area and refuge rules before hunting
- Fee pheasant hunt areas have earlier closings (5:00 p.m. at E.E. Wilson and Fern Ridge WAs)
- During the veterans/military hunt, Sauvie Island shooting ends at 4:00 p.m. and Fern Ridge Coyote units at 1:00 p.m.
- The Northwest Permit Goose Season has distinct hours that don’t apply to ducks but can confuse goose hunters in the same blind
Where Can You Hunt Ducks in Oregon?
Public Land
Oregon offers exceptional public waterfowling, and the Pacific Flyway funnels millions of birds through the state:
- Sauvie Island Wildlife Area — Oregon’s most famous waterfowl hunt, just 20 minutes from Portland. Requires a daily hunt permit, check-station procedures, and reservations/drawings for certain periods and units.
- Willamette Valley refuges — Baskett Slough, Ankeny, and William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuges offer reservation and lottery waterfowl hunting; Finley’s Snag Boat Bend unit has its own zone rules.
- Klamath Basin — Klamath Wildlife Area and the Klamath Basin refuges host some of the densest waterfowl concentrations in the nation during migration.
- Summer Lake Wildlife Area — a High Desert marsh gem in Zone 2 with check-in requirements and developed hunt areas.
- Fern Ridge, Umatilla, Tualatin River, Ladd Marsh, and Denman wildlife areas — each has its own reservation systems, youth units, and permit requirements.
Every wildlife area and refuge writes its own rules — check-in/check-out, permit drawings, closed units, and equipment restrictions are common. Verify each area’s current rules on ODFW’s wildlife area pages before you go.
Private Land
Much of Oregon’s best duck habitat — flooded pastures, farm ponds, and sloughs — sits on private ground. You need explicit permission to hunt private land in Oregon; hunting without written permission where posted is trespassing. Programs like ODFW’s Upland and Waterfowl Access partnerships and the Columbia Basin private-lands programs can open doors; ask at regional ODFW offices.
Public Hunting Draws and Reservations
Oregon uses reservations and daily drawings rather than a single statewide waterfowl lottery:
- Sauvie Island Wildlife Area: application-based draws for premium dates and units, plus daily check-station drawings; dates for 2026-27 include Oct. 31, Nov. 15, Dec. 12, Dec. 28, and Jan. 17, 2027
- Baskett Slough NWR: advance reservation hunting
- Tualatin River NWR Riverboat Unit: reservations for specific dates from November through early January
- Umatilla NWR: reservation-based hunting with youth hunt day applications accepted through the second Friday of September
- Fern Ridge Coyote units: youth-only units requiring an application
Application windows open months before the season — mark the ODFW reservation and permit application page on your calendar in late summer.
Important Oregon Duck Hunting Regulations
These core rules apply to duck hunting statewide:
- Non-toxic shot only. Lead shot is prohibited for all waterfowl hunting; use steel, bismuth, tungsten, or other approved non-toxic shot.
- Shotgun capacity. Shotguns must be incapable of holding more than three shells (plug required) while hunting migratory birds.
- No electronic calls. Electronic or mechanically amplified duck calls are prohibited for waterfowl.
- No baiting. You cannot take ducks over bait, including scattered grain or salt that lures birds to an area.
- Wanton waste. You may not abandon edible portions of harvested game birds.
- Species identification and retrieval. You must make reasonable efforts to retrieve downed birds and must be able to identify your quarry — scaup and hen mallard sub-limits make ID skills legally important.
- Transportation. Birds in transport must remain identifiable (one fully feathered wing or head attached) until they reach your home or a processor.
- Tagging. If you give birds to another person, the package must include a tag with your name, address, license number, date, and species counts.
- Blinds and firearms safety. Standard Oregon rules against shooting from or across public roads and near occupied buildings apply on all hunts.
Best Ducks to Hunt in Oregon
Oregon’s spot on the Pacific Flyway delivers a diverse mixed bag:
- Mallard — The crown jewel. Concentrated in the Willamette Valley’s flooded pasture and the Columbia Basin early, shifting toward the Klamath Basin and southern valleys as freezes push birds around. Early morning over a marshy point decoy spread is classic Oregon mallard hunting.
- American Wigeon — Abundant in western Oregon, especially in the Willamette Valley and along coastal pastures. They mix easily into mallard spreads and respond well to whistling calls.
- Northern Pintail — Early migrants; the Zone 2 October opener often coincides with fresh-push pintails on the Columbia Basin and Klamath marshes. Remember the 3-bird sub-limit.
- Green-winged Teal — The earliest and latest teal; plentiful on shallow, weedy edges statewide through the season.
- Wood Duck — Common in western Oregon’s wooded sloughs, river bottoms, and beaver ponds, particularly in the Coast Range foothills and Willamette Valley timber.
- Northern Shoveler and Gadwall — Reliable Willamette Valley and Klamath Basin fillers that decoy aggressively.
- Scaup (Bluebill) — A specialty hunt: rafts on big water and coastal bays, with zone-specific seasons that close earlier than the general duck season.
- Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, and Redhead — Divers on the Columbia, Klamath, and interior lakes; canvasback and redhead carry 2-bird sub-limits.
- Sea ducks — Harlequin (1-bird limit) and other sea ducks occur along the coast; a Sea Duck Permit applies in designated coastal hunts.
Tips for Hunting During the Oregon Duck Season
- Scout the week before opening day. Oregon’s split seasons mean birds get pressured fast; the Nov. 5 (Zone 1) and Dec. 3 (Zone 2) reopens reward hunters who scout freshly flooded fields during the closures.
- Watch Pacific Fronts. Cold snaps in British Columbia and Alberta push new mallards and pintails down the Flyway — the best bird counts in the Willamette Valley and Klamath Basin follow the first serious northern weather in November.
- Match your spread to the water. On bigwater diver hunts (Columbia River, coastal bays), run long lines of bluebill and canvasback blocks; on Willamette Valley pasture ponds, a dozen mallards and wigeon with two teal on the edge outfish giant spreads.
- Master wind and tide. Coastal estuary hunts live and die by tide stages; inland marsh hunts improve dramatically when wind pushes birds onto your shoreline.
- Call sparingly early, aggressively late. October birds in Zone 2 decoy easily; January birds in the Valley have seen every call in the catalog — lean on motion and hide quality instead.
- Know your scaup dates. Nothing stings like a ticket for a bird that closed a week earlier. Study the white bill-ring and wing patterns before the late season.
- Check water levels and access. Fall drawdowns at Summer Lake and Fern Ridge change huntable water weekly; call area offices or check ODFW updates before committing to a spot.
- Book controlled hunts early. Sauvie Island and refuge reservations fill fast — the difference between a good season and a slow one is often the August application, not the January grind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Duck Season
When does duck season start in Oregon for 2026-2027?
The regular duck season opens Oct. 10, 2026 in Zone 2 and Oct. 17, 2026 in Zone 1. Youth hunters 17 and under get an earlier statewide weekend on Sept. 26–27, 2026. Both zones run split seasons that close in January 2027.
What is the duck limit in Oregon?
The daily bag limit is 7 ducks (including mergansers), with sub-limits of 3 pintails, 2 hen mallards, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup, and 1 harlequin duck. The possession limit is triple the daily bag — 21 ducks.
Do I need a duck stamp to hunt in Oregon?
Yes, most hunters need two: the Oregon Waterfowl Validation ($15 for ages 18+, $4 for ages 12–17) and the Federal Duck Stamp for everyone 16 and older ($25 in person, $29 as an e-stamp). HIP validation is also required and is free.
Can nonresidents hunt ducks in Oregon?
Yes. Nonresidents need the $193 annual hunting license plus the $50 nonresident game bird validation, along with the free HIP validation and the Federal Duck Stamp (16+). A three-day game bird license option is also available for shorter trips.
Does Oregon have an early teal season?
No. Oregon does not hold a separate early teal season for 2026-2027. Teal are hunted during the regular duck seasons and the youth waterfowl weekend.
What are the youth waterfowl hunting days in Oregon?
Youth Waterfowl Days run Sept. 26–27, 2026 statewide for hunters 17 and under accompanied by a non-hunting adult 21 or older. Regular bag limits apply, and license, validation, and stamp requirements depend on the youth’s age.
Is there a veterans and military waterfowl hunt in Oregon?
Yes — Feb. 6, 2027, statewide. Veterans and active-duty personnel (with valid proof of status) can hunt ducks, coots, and geese at regular bag limits using all standard licenses, validations, and stamps.
Where is the best public duck hunting in Oregon?
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area near Portland is the state’s flagship hunt, followed by the Willamette Valley refuges (Baskett Slough, Finley, Ankeny), the Klamath Basin wildlife areas, Summer Lake, and Fern Ridge. Most require permits, reservations, or check-station procedures — plan ahead.
Before You Hunt: Check the Latest Oregon Regulations
Migratory bird frameworks, wildlife area rules, emergency closures, and special restrictions can change between now and your hunt. ODFW finalizes seasons within federal frameworks each year and can adjust rules mid-season in response to conditions. Before every trip, verify the current rules at myodfw.com, review the current shooting hours table, and check the specific wildlife area or refuge you plan to hunt. Five minutes of verification beats a citation.