Black Duck
hunting regulations.
Huntable in 30 states — 30 with general season. Click any state for the state-specific page.
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.
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 your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Where black duck can be hunted
30 states- AlabamaAlabama Wildlife & Freshwater FisheriesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArkansasArkansas Game and Fish CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ConnecticutCT DEEP Wildlife DivisionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- DelawareDelaware Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- FloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- GeorgiaGeorgia DNR Wildlife Resources DivisionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IllinoisIllinois DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IndianaIndiana DNR Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- KentuckyKentucky Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MaineMaine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MarylandMaryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage ServiceYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MassachusettsMassWildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MichiganMichigan DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MinnesotaMinnesota DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MississippiMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MissouriMissouri Department of ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New JerseyNJ Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New YorkNY DECYGeneral seasonVerify →
- North CarolinaNC Wildlife Resources CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OhioOhio Division of WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Game CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- Rhode IslandRI DEM Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- South CarolinaSC Department of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- TennesseeTennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VermontVermont Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VirginiaVirginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- West VirginiaWV Division of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WisconsinWisconsin DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
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