Teal hunting season opens September 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.
News Release
Media Contacts: TPWD Press Office, 512-389-8030, [email protected]
Sept. 8, 2026
