US states can now set their own duck hunting seasons for 2025-26

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has set the final rules for how states can manage migratory bird hunting for the 2025-26 season. This means states can now pick their specific hunting dates, bag limits, and other details within these federal guidelines.

Every year, states wait for these federal frameworks to finalize their hunting seasons. This document is the green light for state wildlife agencies to start planning and announcing their specific rules. It allows hunters to know when and where they can hunt migratory birds, and it helps manage bird populations by setting overall harvest limits.