Duck & Sandhill Crane Seasons & Bag Limits

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Last Updated: September 10, 2026

2026-27 Duck Seasons and Bag Limits
WMA waterfowl draw hunt applications have a 4-person minimum party size and 8-adult maximum, see Wildlife Management Areas General Regulations.
Early Application Dates: Sept. 23–Oct. 13		Mid Application Dates: Oct. 21–Nov. 10		Late Application Dates: Nov. 18–Dec. 8	Season Long Application Dates: June 24–July 15
Includes hunt days: Nov. 28–29, Dec. 5–21		Includes hunt days: Dec. 22–Jan. 11		Includes hunt days: Jan. 12–31	Tier 1 Blind Hunt Dates: Nov. 28–29, Dec. 5–Jan. 31
Species	Statewide		Daily Bag Limit		Possession Limit
Wood Duck & Teal	Sept. 12–16		The daily bag limit of ducks is 6 birds/day which may include no more than 2 wood ducks.		The possession limit is three (3) times the daily bag limit, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is one (1) and two (2) times the daily bag limit, respectively.
Ducks, Coot & Mergansers	Nov. 28–29 Dec. 5–Jan. 31		Coot: 15 Ducks: The daily bag limit of ducks is 6 birds/day which may include no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be a female), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, and 1 mottled duck. The daily bag limit for scaup is 1 scaup from Nov. 28–29 and Dec. 5–17 then 2 scaup from Dec. 18 to Jan. 31. Mergansers: 5 (only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers)
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season*	Feb. 6 and 13		Same as regular season daily bag limits.
Veterans and Active Military Personnel**	Feb. 7 and 14		Same as regular season daily bag limits.
* Only youth hunters from ages 6–16 may harvest coot, gallinule, moorhen, ducks, mergansers, and geese during the Youth Waterfowl hunt days. Youth aged 16 are still required to possess a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Non-hunting adults at least 21 years of age shall accompany the youth hunter(s) into the field during the youth waterfowl season and must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult; however, adults and other persons accompanying youths shall not hunt during these youth waterfowl hunts. Adults not accompanied by youths 6–16 may still harvest geese during those dates. Geese, coot, gallinule, moorhen, and ducks may be taken by youths during the Youth Waterfowl Season. WMAs with special closing times are open all day, each day of the Youth Waterfowl Season. ** Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate and harvest coot, gallinule, moorhen, ducks, mergansers, and geese. During the Veterans and Active Military Personnel waterfowl season, non-veteran or non-active duty personnel may be present; however, only veterans or active military persons may hunt. When other migratory gamebird seasons are open during the Veterans and Active Military Personnel waterfowl season, any properly licensed youth or adult not accompanied by veterans or active military may harvest legal game.

2026-27 Sandhill Crane Seasons and Bag Limits
Sandhill Crane hunting only allowed by quota permit holders.
Species	Statewide	Southeast Crane Zone (South of Interstate 40 and east of Highway 56)	Daily Bag Limit and Possession Limit*
Sandhill Crane	Dec. 3–Jan. 31. Tags are valid statewide, including the Southeast Crane Zone, except during the three (3) day closure in that zone from Jan. 15–17, 2027.	Dec. 3–Jan. 14, 2027 Jan. 18–31, 2027	The daily bag, season bag, and possession limit for sandhill cranes is based on the number of tags awarded to an individual.
* Each harvested crane must be accompanied by a completed kill tag (each tag allows harvest of 1 crane) and be checked in by the end of the calendar day of harvest by any Agency approved check-in method. Also, hunters issued sandhill crane tags MUST fill out and return a post-season survey before February 10, regardless of whether they hunted or harvested a sandhill crane. Failure to return the post-season survey may result in hunters not being eligible to apply for a sandhill crane tag in future draws. Before hunting sandhill cranes, you must pass TWRA ID exam on tnwildlife.org.

Tennessee map highlighting the Southeast Crane Zone for sandhill crane hunting, identifying counties south of I-40 and east of Highway 56.

The Southeast Crane Zone is south of Interstate 40 and east of Highway 56.

Hunting Hours: Hunting hours for sandhill cranes are from sunrise until 3:00 p.m. local time.

Federal Regulations: No shotguns larger than 10-gauge or capable of holding over three (3) shot shells. Federally approved non-toxic shot is required.