An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
The Waterfowl Program is part of the Migratory Bird Program here at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The waterfowl program manages waterfowl harvest based on scientific data as part of the Mississippi Flyway Council (hereafter Flyway). The Flyway is a cooperative agreement between the 14 states and 3 provinces along the Mississippi River with federal oversight by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Flyways were created based on migratory pathways of the ducks we hunt. Seasons and bag limits in Kentucky are set based on frameworks provided by the Mississippi Flyway and by the preferences of Kentucky Sportsman and Sportswomen.
The Kentucky Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, commonly called the Dove Guide, and the Kentucky Waterfowl Hunting Guide have been combined into one guide. Please refer to the table of contents for season dates, license information, public land hunting, and other information.
Getin theSeason
Check out theSeason's Dates Calendar
Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2024;Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
*Pit and blind restrictions in effect for some wildlife management areas (WMAs) do not apply to hunters during Snow Goose Conservation Order season. These restrictions also do not apply to falconers hunting waterfowl during periods when gun and archery waterfowl seasons are not open.
**The daily bag limit to sandhill cranes is 2 cranes per permit holders with 2 or more tags, or 1 crane for hunters with one tag. Sandhill Crane permits are available only through quota hunt drawing in September. Sandhill crane hunters will be issued tags attached to hunting permits, accessible through the online sandhill crane app. Hunters must possess printed or electronic proof of a valid crane hunting permit.
† Mandatory FREE permit is required for hunting snow geese during this period, to order, click Snow Geese Conservation Order Permit or call 1-800-858-1559 to obtain one. Everyone who obtains the Snow Goose Permit must report hunting activity to the Snow Geese Conservation Order Survey by April 10.
Daily Bag Limit: The total limit of a specific migratory game bird species that may be taken during legal shooting hours for one calendar day, regardless of state boundaries.
Possession limit: The total limit of a specific migratory game bird species that may be in your possession at any time, whether in your person or stored in another location (including your home or taxidermist).
Migratory birds shot in another state, count toward a hunter's daily and possession limits.
Unless license-exempt, hunters must possess a valid Kentucky hunting license when hunting the species listed on this page. Check the table below to see more information on what hunting license you may need.
Please Note: Licenses and permits are not required for youths under the age of 12.
A Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit and a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp) authorizes the holder to hunt all migratory game birds, including waterfowl (ducks, geese, coots, mergansers).
Only a Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit is required for those who hunt migratory birds other than waterfowl.
Effective March 1, 1991, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must carry proof of valid hunter education certification. Hunters may use hunting licenses or electronic documentation with proof of identity.
A one-time temporary hunter education exemption permit is available. This free permit allows hunting without a hunter education card for one year from the date of purchase. After it expires, the hunter is no longer exempt and must complete a hunter education course.
In addition to the Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit requirement listed above, all persons age 16 or older must carry a valid federal migratory bird hunting stamp (commonly called duck stamp) to hunt waterfowl. Hunters younger than 16 must possess a youth hunting license but the Federal Duck Stamp and Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit are not required. The federal stamp must be validated by the hunter’s signature written across the face of the stamp in ink.
Only The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also offers an electronic duck stamp (E-stamp). This e-stamp may be purchased from many state wildlife agencies. E-stamps will be valid from the date of purchase through June 30. Participants in the e-stamp program must carry a digital or hard copy of their e-stamp certificate when hunting. A physical Federal Duck Stamp will be mailed to each e-stamp purchaser at the completion of that season’s migratory bird hunting.
Before hunting migratory birds, hunters must complete the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legally migratory bird hunters.
The process takes less than 5 minutes. Click "My Profile" to fill out the survey. This takes you to a page that asks for some basic information to confirm your identity. After completing the HIP survey, you will receive a confirmation number that must be written on your hunting license or Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit.
* Included in Youth Sportsman's License** Included in Resident Sportsman's LicenseNOTE: HIP survey required for all migratory bird hunters 16 and over
Need Help with Licenses or Permits?
Hunters without Internet access or who have further questions may contact the Information Center for assistance at 1-800-858-1549 or Info.Center@ky.gov.
GET YOUR HUNTING ANDFISHING LICENSE
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- approved nontoxic shot no larger than size “T” is required for all waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting. Shot larger than size “T” or shotshells longer than 3.5 inches MAY NOT BE POSSESSED OR USED while hunting waterfowl or sandhill cranes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may approve other types of nontoxic shot, which, if approved, will be permitted for waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting. Possession or use of any lead shot or shot not approved by USFWS while hunting or attempting to take waterfowl or sandhill cranes is prohibited statewide. Check the USFWS's Approved Shot Types for more information.
To report bird bands, visit www.reportband.gov. Many existing bands list a toll-free number that can no longer be used for reporting. Consequently, hunters may now only report bands online.
Banding plays a critical role in the management of migratory bird species. The data you provide by reporting bands gives wildlife biologists information on harvest rates and movements of migratory game birds. Please report the bands you recover.
Kentucky is one of three states (including Tennessee and Florida) granted an early season wood duck season. This five (5) day season begins on the third Saturday in September every year. The daily bag limit for wood ducks during this season is two (2) per day.
The teal season in September allows hunters to harvest blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal for nine (9) consecutive days beginning on the third Saturday in September. The daily bag limit for teal is six (6) per day. On days that are concurrent with wood duck seasons, the maximum daily bag limit for ducks is six (6), no more than two (2) of which may be wood ducks.
Kentucky offers a fifteen (15) day season in September to harvest Canada geese. This season allows Kentucky hunters to harvest Canada geese which nest in Kentucky. There are two (2) zones for the September goose season. Season dates depend on the zone in which you are hunting. The daily bag limit for Canada geese during the September season is five (5) Canada geese per day.
Eastern Goose Zone- The September season for Canada geese in the eastern zone is September 16- September 30.
Western Goose Zone- The September season for Canada geese in the western zone is September 1 – September 15.
Harvest of waterfowl in the United States is regulated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The harvest of ducks is regulated under a process known as Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM). Duck seasons in Kentucky are determined based on AHM models which predict future populations of mallards based on current surveys, harvest information and past knowledge of populations. These AHM models currently prescribe LIBERAL seasons for ducks in the Mississippi Flyway which allows hunters to hunt for sixty (60) days and harvest up to six (6) ducks.
Thanksgiving Segment- Duck Season begins on Thanksgiving Day statewide and continues for four (4) consecutive days.
Second Segment- The second segment of Kentucky's duck season begins on Dec. 7th and counties for fifty-six (56) consecutive days ending on Jan. 31.
Duck Bag Limits- The Total number of ducks you may harvest in a day is six (6). See the "Duck Species" table for specific limits by species.
Season is same as ducks. The daily limit for Coots is fifteen (15).
Season is same as ducks. The daily limit for mergansers (common, red-breasted and hooded) is five (5). Of the five, no more than two (2) of those may be hooded mergansers.
Sandhill crane season opens Dec. 7, 2024 and closes Jan. 31, 2025. The daily bag limit is two birds. Hunters must apply for a sandhill crane permit online from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2024and pay a $3 application fee.
Applicants must have a valid Kentucky Hunting License or be License-exempt when they apply. Results are posted to individual applicants online following the drawing. Drawn hunters must pass an online identification exam before receiving a sandhill crane hunting permit. Hunters must telecheck harvested birds on the day taken.
Hunters participating in the sandhill crane hunting season must complete a post-season survey no later than 14 days after the close of the season or lose eligibility to apply the following year.
Goose seasons are based on management plans developed by Flyway Councils in Cooperation with the USFWS. Each species will have specific plans developed with the intention of protecting the genetic diversity of different migrant populations. The number of allowed days and bag limits will vary depending on the health of those populations.
Note for Brant Geese Harvest: If you do harvest a brant, please note that you must reduced the daily bag limit of either Canada geese or greater-white fronted geese so that you do not harvest more than five (5) total dark geese in a day.
The regular season for Canada geese begins on Thanksgiving Day each year and continues until February 15. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (including cackling geese) is three (3) geese per day.
The season for Greater white-fronted geese begins on Thanksgiving Day and continues until February 15. The daily bag limit for greater white-fronted geese is two (2) per day.
The season for snow and Ross’ geese (including both light and dark phase geese) begins on Thanksgiving Day and continues until February 15. The daily bag limit for snow and Ross’ geese is twenty (20) snow and or Ross’ geese.
Atlantic brant are rare visitor to Kentucky these days. They are included in harvest regulations to protect hunters who might harvest a brant which is mixed with other goose populations. The daily limit for brant is one (1).
Under Federal law, the USFWS allows states to have 2 days of “youth only” hunting season in addition to the standard 60 days allowed in the Mississippi Flyway. These days occur outside of regular seasons but must occur within 14 days of a state’s regular season. Youth participants must have proper Kentucky licenses but a Federal Duck Stamp and HIP are not required.
Kentucky has a split youth season with one (1) day occurring on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and one (1) day occurring on the second Saturday in February.
To participate in the season, a youth shall not have reached their 16th birthday on the day of the hunt. Adults may accompany youth hunters but may not harvest ducks and geese on the first weekend. Adults may harvest geese but not ducks during the second weekend.
Under Federal law, the USFWS allows states to have 2 days of “veterans only” hunting season in addition to the standard 60 days allowed in the Mississippi Flyway. These days occur outside of regular seasons but must occur within 14 days of a state’s regular season. Participants must have proper licenses, HIP and the Federal Duck stamp to participate.
Kentucky has a split veteran’s season with one (1) day occurring on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and one (1) day occurring on the second Sunday in February.
To participate in the season, a veteran shall meet the specification outlined below. Non-veterans may accompany veteran hunters but may not harvest ducks and geese on the first weekend. Non-veterans may harvest geese but not ducks during the second weekend.
Overabundant populations of light geese (including snow and Ross’ geese) have been damaging sensitive Arctic breeding grounds. Because of this, the USFWS authorized a special “Light Goose Conservation Order Season.” This special season occurs after all regular hunting seasons have closed. A few rules apply to this season which are different from most migratory bird seasons.
Please note that baiting laws and wanton waste laws still apply to these special seasons.
Starting at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County to the middle of the Mississippi River, then north along the Mississippi to the low water mark of the Ohio River along the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line; then along the county line south to KY 358, then south along KY 358 to its junction with U.S. 60 at LaCenter; then following U.S. 60 southwest to the northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
All constructed or used blinds (including boats) must be at least 100 yards apart and at least 50 yards from any property line. A waterfowl hunter shall not possess more than one shotgun while in the blind.
In addition to the state regulations, the following federal laws apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory game birds.
Note: The material below is only a summary. Each hunter should also consult the federal regulations, which may be found in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 - Migratory Bird Hunting.
More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For more information on Federal Regulations, consult Assistant Regional Director - LE, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 4839, Atlanta, Georgia, 30302-4839; or call (404) 331-5872.
No person shall take migratory game birds:
DRESSING
No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird (except doves and pigeons) and then transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility.
CLOSED SEASON
No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season.
SHOOTING HOURS
No person shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open to shooting as prescribed.
DAILY BAG LIMIT
No person shall take in any one day more than one daily bag limit.
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT
No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit while in the field or while returning from the field to one’s car, hunting camp, home, etc.
WANTON WASTE
All migratory game birds shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field.
POSSESSION OF LIVE BIRDS
Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be immediately killed and included in the daily bag limit.
DUAL VIOLATION
Violating state migratory game bird regulations is also a violation of federal regulations.
SHIPMENT
No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: a) the name and the address of the person sending the birds; b) the name and the address of the person to whom the birds are being sent; and the number of birds, by species, contained in the package.
TAGGING
No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: a) the hunter’s signature; b) the hunter’s address; c) the total number of birds involved, by species; d) the dates such birds were killed.
Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another person for the hunter or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services.
IMPORTATION
For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66. One fully feathered wing must remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between the port of entry and one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country, except Canada, unless such birds are dressed (except as required in 20.63), drawn, and the head and feet are removed. No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person.