Georgia Opens 60-Day Duck Season Nov. 21, Second Segment Runs to Jan. 31

Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) said in a release from Covington on Nov. 3, 2026, that duck season opens Saturday, Nov. 21. Hunting runs in two segments, Nov. 21-29 and Dec. 12 to Jan. 31, the 60 days federal rules allow. The first segment closes Nov. 29, and hunting resumes Dec. 12.

The second segment closes Jan. 31, several days later than in past years. Kara Nitschke, WRD’s migratory gamebird biologist, said the date “takes advantage of the most late-season days possible.”

Federal frameworks allow Georgia no more than 60 duck-hunting days and one split, WRD says on its migratory bird page. Georgia keeps a nine-day segment around Thanksgiving, which leaves 51 days for the second segment, so the second opener shifts from year to year to hold the Jan. 31 close.

A special early hunt falls on Nov. 14-15. Hunters who are 15 or younger, or who are active military or veterans, may take specific migratory birds, including ducks, Canada geese and mergansers. A youth must have an adult of at least 18 along, and only the youth hunts.

Waterfowl hunters need a Georgia hunting license, a Georgia migratory bird license and the federal duck stamp. WRD sells a Waterfowl Hunter Package at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com that bundles the required licenses and comes with a plastic hard card.

The release gives no bag limits by species. Nitschke told hunters to look them up in the regulations, online or in the printed guide. She also asked hunters to check each harvested bird for a band and report any band to the USGS Bird Banding Lab.

Full migratory bird regulations are at GeorgiaWildlife.com/migratory-bird-info. The early hunt for youth, active military and veterans opens November 14, 2026, the first regular duck day is Saturday, November 21, and the second segment closes January 31, 2027.