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Ducks, Mergansers & Coots

Species

Season Dates

Daily Bag

General Duck Season

Inland Duck Zone:

October 21 – October 22, 2022

November 5 – November 26, 2022

December 17, 2022 – January 31, 2023  

(black ducks and mottled ducks is closed until November 19)

Coastal Duck Zone:

October 28 – October 29, 2022

November 5 – November 26, 2022

December 17, 2022 – January 31, 2023 

(black ducks and mottled ducks is closed until November 19)

Daily bag limits are the same in each duck zone.

Includes a total of 6 ducks with no more than 4 total sea ducks [no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks], 3 wood ducks, 2 mallards (only 1 hen mallard), 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck and 1 fulvous whistling duck. 

  • Prior to January 9 the scaup bag limit is 1, on January 9 and after it is 2.

  • The season on harlequin ducks is closed.

 Mergansers Same as general duck season5 mergansers with no more than 2 hooded mergansers

 Coots Same as general duck season15 coots

 September Teal (includes green-winged, blue-winged and cinnamon teal)September 13 – September 30, 20226
(The September Teal Season is open only in the area east of U.S. Highway 17)

 Sea Ducks 
October 28 – October 29, 2022
November 5 - November 26, 2022
December 17, 2022 - January 31, 2023 Includes scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks. 4 total sea ducks with no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (1 hen eider), or 3 long-tailed ducks. Sea Duck daily bag limits count towards the general duck daily bag limit of 6 ducks.  

 

  • Possession limits are three times the daily bag unless otherwise specified

  • Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset unless otherwise specified

N.C. Waterfowl Seasons
2022-2023

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