From Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
AUSTIN – Teal hunting season kicks off Sept. 20 and for the first time in nearly 20 years, Texas waterfowl hunters face a shortened early season.
The Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Canadian Wildlife Service in May of 2024 estimated the blue-winged teal breeding population at 4.55 million birds, a 15 percent decline and the lowest estimate in two decades. USFWS requires a minimum population of 4.7 million birds to authorize a full 16-day season.
The most recent May survey showed an even lower estimate of 4.4 million blue-winged teal, which is now 13 percent below the long-term average. Unfortunately, hunters can also expect another shortened season next year during the 2026-27 hunting season.
Blue-winged teal, the second most abundant duck in North America and the primary species targeted during Texas’s early teal season, have faced tough conditions on their northern breeding grounds.
Prolonged drought in key areas of Canada and the Dakotas has reduced habitat quality and nesting success, leading to population declines.
“While it’s disappointing to see the decreased hunting season, teal remain an important and resilient species,” said Kevin Kraai, Waterfowl Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Hunters can still expect fair opportunity this September, especially where wet conditions earlier in the summer have provided good habitat locally.”
Habitat conditions are on the drier side across Texas following a wet summer.
Drought conditions in Central Texas restricted irrigation water for the state’s rice prairies and left landowners reliant on rainfall to fill wetlands and fields.
Hunters can expect teal to concentrate in the areas where irrigation or groundwater is available.
Despite the challenges, Kraai indicates hunters can still anticipate an average teal season in Texas this fall.