Duck hunting is a cherished annual tradition in the South, with duck hunting season taking place from early September through the end of January, depending on the state. Spending time on the water in colder temperatures and challenging weather conditions makes having a reliable duck hunting boat and outboard critical to a successful and fun season.
Boats With Reliable Outboards Can Make or Break Waterfowl Season
Investing in the right boat with proper outfitting, including outboards, can make or break your hunting season. Consider your hunting style and the environment in which you hunt, including the distance covered, the amount of gear you’ll have on board, the number of people you typically hunt with and any other uses for the boat, like fishing or other recreational use.
V-hull and modified v-hull boats are often used when crossing larger bodies of water or if hunters will be in varying water environments during the season. Flat-bottom jonboats are well suited to shallow water duck hunting excursions that are most common across the Southeast, but hunters should always know the water they plan to navigate.
Jonboats are typically outfitted with tiller outboards, which are compact, portable and easy to manually maneuver in shallow waters when operated with care. Submerged stumps, debris and changing water levels are common in hunting areas, so reduce speed, trim or tilt the motor as conditions require and scout unfamiliar water before running it. Gulf Coast Suzuki offers four-stroke tiller outboards ideal for waterfowlers who prefer to operate flat-bottom boats:
Prepare Your Boat for Hunting Season
It might be tempting to trailer your boat from storage directly to the first duck hunt of the season, but taking a few steps to ensure your boat is ready for the water can prevent issues later.
First, remove any fuel left in the tank from last year. Never pour old fuel on the ground or down a drain. Instead, take it to a household hazardous waste facility or a local fuel disposal site, and ask a service professional if you are unsure whether it is still usable. If it’s been a while, also replace fuel lines to avoid build-up and clogs. Next, check the boat’s battery and electrical equipment, including lights, bilge pump, GPS and engine cutoff link. Make sure you’re up to date on engine maintenance, including oil change, oil filter change, gas filter, spark plugs and other tasks listed in the owner’s manual. Finally, check the propeller to make sure any dings from last season did not put it out of balance.
Before heading out, make safety part of your routine. Wear a life jacket every time you are on the water, especially in cold water and in small boats loaded with gear, and attach the engine cutoff link to yourself whenever the engine is running. Both can make a critical difference if someone falls overboard.
A prop check and preventive engine maintenance items can be quickly performed at a shop like Gulf Coast Suzuki. Before the first hunt of the season, schedule preseason service with our factory-certified technicians. Our team can handle your preventive maintenance and prop inspection so your outboard is ready when the season opens. Schedule your preseason service today and head into opening day with confidence.
2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Season in the Southeast
Each state varies in its start and end dates for duck hunting season. The dates below apply to the 2026-27 season.
The 2026-27 regular duck season runs Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 5-Jan. 31 with a daily bag of six ducks. Click here for a detailed breakdown.
The 2026-2027 waterfowl season hunting dates for duck, coot and merganser are Nov. 21-29, Dec. 10-23 and Dec. 26, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027. Click here for more information.
Louisiana’s 2026-27 duck season follows a new East and West zone map. In the East Zone, Split 1 runs Nov. 21-Dec. 6, and Split 2 runs Dec. 19-Jan. 31. In the West Zone, Split 1 runs Nov. 14-Dec. 6, and Split 2 runs Dec. 19-Jan. 24. Be sure to confirm which zone covers your hunting area before opening day. Click to view detailed information about hunting zones and youth/veteran-only dates.
The 2026-27 regular duck season runs Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 9-Jan. 31. Click here for more information.
Prep For Offseason Use and Storage
Once waterfowl season ends, proper cleaning and storage preparation can help keep your boat in good condition for next year (or for whatever recreational activity you have planned next).Â
Make sure to thoroughly clean your boat, which may have collected a variety of items over the course of duck hunting season. Collect garbage, leaves, feathers and shell hulls to dispose of, then rinse and scrub down the inside and outside of the boat.
From there, follow Gulf Coast Suzuki’s guide to end-of-season prep for your boat to ensure it goes into storage in the best condition possible. Plus, our end of season service package lets you enjoy peace of mind that your boat will be in excellent condition during the offseason, even if you continue to occasionally get out on the water. Schedule an end of season boat service when the season wraps up to protect your investment.