Ducks, coots and mergansers
Special teal season
The daily bag limit for ducks is six. This includes any combination of buffleheads, gadwalls, goldeneyes, long-tailed ducks, ring-necked ducks, ruddy ducks, scoters, shovelers, teal, and wigeon. Included in the daily limit of six are additional restrictions on the following:
- Black ducks: Only two black ducks may be taken daily.
- Canvasback: Only two canvasbacks may be taken daily.
- Mallards: Only four mallards may be taken daily, including not more than two females.
- Mottled duck: Only one mottled duck may be taken daily.
- Pintails: Only one pintail may be taken daily.
- Redheads: Only two redheads may be taken daily.
- Scaup: Only one scaup may be taken daily before Nov. 14 in the North Zone, Nov. 28 in the Central Zone, and Dec. 12 in the South Zone. Only two scaup may be taken daily on or after those dates.
- Wood ducks: Only three wood ducks may be taken daily.
The daily bag for mergansers (which is separate from the duck limit) is five, including not more than two hooded mergansers. The daily bag limit for coots is 15.
Possession limit for ducks, coots, and mergansers is three times the daily bag limit. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shooting hours at some DNR properties may vary. Contact the property for details.
Geese
The bag limit for all dark geese (Canada, white-fronted, and brant) is five geese, no more than three of which can be Canada geese except in September. In September, all five can be Canada geese. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit. The daily bag limit for light geese (snow, blue, and/or Ross’ geese) is 20, with no possession limit for light geese. Read the light geese conservation order.
Youth waterfowl weekends
Hunters must be 17 years of age or younger on the day of the hunt to participate. A federal duck stamp is required for all persons 16 and older. They must also be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. An adult may accompany more than one youth. The licensed accompanying adult may not hunt waterfowl. Bag and species limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season for ducks and geese (only one scaup per day may be taken during the youth season). An HIP registration number is required for youth hunters during the youth waterfowl weekends.
Veteran Waterfowl hunting days
Beginning in 2019, special dates for veterans to hunt waterfowl were established. In order to hunt ducks and geese in Indiana, all individuals must have an Indiana hunting license, an Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege, and a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation number. A federal duck stamp is required for all persons age 16 years and older. Federal duck stamps are available at most post offices and at fws.gov/duckstamps. State waterfowl stamp privileges are available from hunting and fishing license vendors and online. Daily limits are the same as for the youth seasons.
