Waterfowl

The best times to hunt waterfowl are at first light (the first 90 minutes after legal shooting time), on days following overnight migration fronts (north winds, falling temperatures), and at the back end of major weather systems.

Minnesota's early goose season runs from September 5 to September 20, 2026. However, hunters can also hunt geese later in the year.

The 2026–2027 Arkansas duck, coot, and merganser season dates are November 21–29, December 10–23, 2026, and December 26, 2026–January 31, 2027.

Texas duck hunting seasons for the 2026–2027 term vary by management zone, featuring early teal and regular split periods. Key dates include the High Plains Unit opening October 24–25, 2026, the North Zone starting November 14, 2026, and the South Zone starting November 7, 2026.

Being ready when the ducks start piling into your decoy spread at first light begins with choosing the right shotgun for the job. Picking the "best" shotgun that fits your shoulders, allows you to swing cleanly, and matches your hunting style will make your next cold morning in the duck blind more enjoyable.

In most cases, yes, hunters can hunt WPAs (Waterfowl Production Areas). However, before you assume you can, keep reading (and do your research on the rules).

A spread of duck decoys sets the stage for a morning hunt: an empty pond, river bend, or field becomes the backdrop, and the way you place each decoy determines how real the scene looks from the air.

Hunting ducks and geese is only part of the reward. After you knock down some birds, you need to field dress and get them ready to enjoy!

Learning from the best is one of the best ways to become a better hunter. So, we've brought you the best tips for waterfowl hunting from our friend Ben Cole of RootedTV.

We all know that ducks are stunning long-distance flyers capable of putting in some incredible miles in a day and across the entire migration period, but how high do they go?

During duck season, the skies and waterways come alive with a rainbow of color from the different duck species from coast to coast. Whether you’re after dabblers, divers, or mergansers, the diversity of duck breeds provides unique opportunities for hunters to bag out a range of common and more elusive birds. 

As the days grow shorter, hunters across the country start studying weather forecasts and watching the skies for one of the greatest marvels in the natural world: the fall waterfowl migration.