Ohio Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Ohio waterfowl season dates start with Oct 3-4, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Ohio's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Oct 3-4, 2026.
General Duck opens Oct 17, 2026 and closes Jan 31, 2027.
General Duck opens Oct 17, 2026 and closes Dec 27, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Ohio DNR.
Waterfowl
Canada Goose, Cackling Goose
Early Season
Early goose season
Zone: Statewide
Duck
General
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Dec. 12, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027. Bag limit restrictions on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, black ducks, redheads, canvasbacks, mottled duck, and scaup.
Zone: Zone C
Duck
General
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Nov. 1, 2026 and Nov. 14 - Dec. 27, 2026. Bag limit restrictions on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, black ducks, redheads, canvasbacks, mottled duck, and scaup.
Zone: Zone A
Duck
General
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Nov. 21, 2026 - Jan. 10, 2027. Bag limit restrictions on mallards, wood ducks, pintails, black ducks, redheads, canvasbacks, mottled duck, and scaup.
Zone: Zone B
Goose
General
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Nov. 21, 2026 - Feb. 15, 2027
Zone: Zone B
Goose
General
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Nov. 21, 2026 - Feb. 15, 2027
Zone: Zone C
Goose
General
Two periods: Oct. 17 - Nov. 1, 2026 and Nov. 14, 2026 - Feb. 1, 2027
Zone: Zone A
Teal
Early Teal
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Youth/Active Military/Veterans
Youth, active military, and veterans only
Zone: Statewide
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Ohio Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Ohio?
September 5, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Ohio — early season canada goose, cackling goose runs Sep 5-13, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Ohio DNR.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Ohio?
Ohio lists 9 waterfowl season windows: Early Season Canada Goose, Cackling Goose (Sep 5-13, 2026); General Duck (Oct 17, 2026-Jan 31, 2027); General Duck (Oct 17-Dec 27, 2026); General Duck (Oct 17, 2026-Jan 10, 2027); General Goose (Oct 17, 2026-Feb 15, 2027); General Goose (Oct 17, 2026-Feb 15, 2027); General Goose (Oct 17, 2026-Feb 1, 2027); Early Teal Teal (Sep 5-13, 2026); and more. Always verify against Ohio DNR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Ohio?
Yes — Ohio lists separate waterfowl seasons for Early Season Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, General Duck, General Goose, Early Teal Teal, Youth/Active Military/Veterans Waterfowl. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Ohio DNR.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Ohio DNR.