Teal

Teal in water
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Teal in water

What’s New for 2026?

  • Permit prices have increased to keep pace with the rising costs of goods and services.
  • The Migratory Bird Hunting Permit has been replaced by a Resident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Nonresident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit.
  • Duck hunting zone boundaries have changed slightly for the 2026–2030 seasons.
  • Duck season date formulas have changed for the 2026–2030 seasons.

Blue-winged teal are second only to mallards as the most numerous duck in North America. Blue-winged teal are among the earliest ducks to migrate south during fall and the latest to head north during spring. Teal stay in Missouri a relatively short time, so the best hunting usually occurs when cold fronts bring winds favorable for migration. 

Topic Category
Hunting / Fishing Guide
Regulations
Seasons
Biological Information
Blue-Winged Teal
Green-Winged Teal
Seasons
Season Dates Hours Limits/Notes
Teal: Hunting -

Sunrise to sunset

Daily bag limit: 6

Possession limit: 18

Limits are a combined total of all teal species.

You may hunt blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and cinnamon teal.

Northern shoveler, northern pintail, and wood ducks have similarly colored plumage but are illegal to hunt during this season.
Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers: Falconry -

Sunrise to sunset during the September teal season, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the remaining seasons.

Daily limit: 3 birds, combined total of doves, ducks, and coots.
Possession limit: 9 birds, combined total of doves, ducks, and coots.

Season is also open during the regular duck-hunting seasons, including teal and youth waterfowl seasons.