It seems that Texas hunters have never seen a weak duck hunting season. The truth is that some seasons are just better than others. I think the 2012 duck hunting season is going to be phenomenal! Conditions are great for migrating birds and I expect that to hold up as we go into the fall and winter. Ducks have had excellent hatches. But duck hunting is about much more than just shooting unsuspecting ducks on cold, blustery mornings. It’s about spending time with friends, family and making memories. Here’s to a good one!
High Plains Mallard Management Unit Duck Hunting Season
All species other than “dusky ducks”: Oct. 27-28, 2012 and Nov.2, 2012 – Jan. 27, 2013; “Dusky ducks”: Nov. 5, 2012 – Jan. 27, 2013; Youth-only Season: Oct. 20 — 21, 2012
North and South Zones Duck Hunting Seasons
All species other than “dusky ducks”: Nov. 3 – 25, 2012 and Dec. 8, 2012 — Jan. 27, 2013; “Dusky ducks”: Nov. 8 – 25, 2012 and Dec. 8, 2012 – Jan. 27, 2013; Youth-only Season: Oct. 27-28, 2012
Duck Bag Limit for Texas 2012
The daily bag limit for ducks is six, to include no more than five mallards of which only 2 may be hens; three wood ducks; two redheads; two pintails; one canvasback; and one “dusky” duck. Dusky ducks include: mottled ducks, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids. For all other species not listed, the bag limit is six.
The daily bag limit for coots is 15. The daily bag limit for mergansers is five, which may include no more than two hooded mergansers. Duck hunting shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset.