Black Duck in Ohio
hunting regulations.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with Ohio Division of Wildlife. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Black Duck is general season in Ohio. The agency above sets season dates, bag limits, and zone boundaries — those change yearly. Verify before you hunt.
About the species
American black ducks are dark-plumaged dabblers closely related to mallards, primarily occupying the Atlantic flyway from Eastern Canada and the Northeastern US into the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas. Populations have declined from historical levels due to hybridization with mallards and habitat loss, leading to conservative bag limits.
Most flyway states allow 1-2 black ducks within the daily aggregate duck bag. They're considered a trophy duck by many serious waterfowlers — wary, late-migrating, and concentrating in specific habitats (salt marshes, coastal bays, beaver ponds). Identification matters at the gun — black/mallard hybrids are common in some areas.
Other waterfowl in Ohio
Want the picture for this species across every state? See Black Duck regulations by state. Or browse every huntable species in Ohio.