Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Teal hunting season opens Sept. 19 with a nine-day early season for the second consecutive year.
The 2025 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Canadian Wildlife Service estimated the blue-winged teal breeding population at 4.4 million birds, which was 13 percent below the long-term average.
Unfortunately, the most recent 2026 May survey indicated the numbers dipped lower again this year with an estimated 3.96 million blue-winged teal. It’s an 11 percent drop from last year’s numbers and remains below the 4.7-million threshold that is required for a 16-day special early teal season. Therefore, hunters can also expect another shortened season for the 2027-28 hunting season.
“Breeding population size is only part of what ultimately determines the number of birds hunters see in September,” said Kevin Kraai, Waterfowl Program Leader for TPWD. “Hopefully, good production in the Prairie Pothole Region puts a substantial number of young-of-the-year birds into the fall flight despite the smaller breeding population counted earlier this spring.”
Blue-winged teal is the second most abundant duck in North America and the primary species targeted during Texas’ early teal season. Despite lower breeding population survey numbers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are encouraged by reports of strong production in portions of the Prairie Pothole Region this summer.
Another important aspect of the teal-season story is that that the migration of blue-winged teal appears to be changing. Historically, bluewings moved through Texas during a relatively predictable and compressed period, with migration generally building through September and peaking late in the month. That pattern is becoming less predictable.
“We are now seeing blue-winged teal migrate across a much broader period in the fall. Migration still begins in mid- to late August, but substantial numbers of birds can remain much farther north, including portions of the Prairie Pothole Region and breeding range, well into October and even November,” said Kraai. “At the same time, many birds do not appear to be moving as far south as they historically did.”
According to TPWD biologists, historically, relatively few blue-winged teal remained available to Texas hunters during the regular duck season. Today, a substantial portion of the population winters no farther south than the Texas coast, and blue-winged teal has become the number one harvested duck in Texas in many recent regular seasons.
“At this point, I expect a below-average early teal season overall in Texas,” added Kraai. “The continental breeding population is down again, the nine-day season gives us very little room to accommodate increasingly prolonged migration, and habitat is drying across several important teal regions of the state.”
However, a few good rain events and a well-timed weather system during the late September season could put a lot of birds over Texas and improve hunter’s chances. TPWD biologists also factored in the full Harvest Moon that falls on Sept. 26. They chose the late-September window in hopes that the combination of season timing, weather and lunar conditions will coincide with a meaningful migration event.
“With blue-winged teal, nine days can make forecasting particularly unforgiving,” added Kraai. “For now, hunters should keep expectations measured, watch local water conditions closely and remain flexible. Properties that can provide dependable shallow water and quality food resources are likely to be especially important this season.”
The nine-day statewide 2026 early teal season in Texas will run Sept. 19-27. The daily bag limit on teal is six, with a possession limit of 18.
Kraai reminds migratory game bird hunters that they need to make sure they are Harvest Information Program (HIP) certified and confirm the HIP questions are answered correctly. HIP surveys allow biologists to get an accurate sample of hunters so the USFWS can deliver harvest surveys to selected participants later in the year.
Hunters should purchase their new 2026-27 Texas hunting license prior to hitting the field. In addition, teal/waterfowl hunters will also need a migratory game bird endorsement, Federal Duck Stamp and HIP certification. It’s also required by law that hunters have proof of their completion of a hunter education course.
The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 modified provisions of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as the Duck Stamp, now allowing an individual to carry an electronic stamp (E-stamp) for the entire waterfowl hunting season. A physical Federal Duck Stamp will be mailed to each E-stamp purchaser after the hunting season between March 10 – June 30, 2027.
Hunters can find teal season dates, regulations, bag limits and more on this year’s Outdoor Annual. Hunters can also access digital copies of their licenses via the Outdoor Annual and Texas Hunt & Fish apps.
Information source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
