Public Land Duck Hunting Checklist (Printable)

Public-land duck hunting in the Mid-South is mostly a paperwork test you take at 4 a.m. in the dark. Most tickets on WMAs aren't for shooting a hen too many. They're for a missing stamp, a lead shell in a vest pocket, too many shells on an Arkansas WMA, or still being on the water at 1:15 p.m.

Print this page and keep it in the truck. Everything below was last checked Oct 22, 2026 against the linked state pages. Fees are the agencies' listed prices and don't include vendor fees. Our state law pages have the full detail: Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee.

Part 1: Paperwork, by state

Every state, every hunter 16 and older

• Federal Duck Stamp, signed in ink across the face, or an E-Stamp. It's valid July 1–June 30 and good in every state (USFWS). Price: AGFC lists the paper stamp at $25 (AGFC Guidebook p. 14). The USFWS page we checked didn't show a price.
• HIP certification in each state you hunt. It's free at license vendors. Louisiana says plainly that you must be HIP certified in each state (LDWF licensing guide).

Arkansas (full page)

• Hunting license. The resident minimum is the Wildlife Conservation License ($10.50). Nonresidents: 3-day small game $80, annual small game $110 (Guidebook p. 14)
• Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp: $7 resident, $50 nonresident (p. 14)
• Proof of Arkansas HIP (pp. 14–15)
• Nonresidents on any WMA: a nonresident WMA waterfowl permit, either 3-day ($40, up to 10) or 30-day ($200) (pp. 14, 42)
• No Arkansas license? A $10.50 WMA/Lake Conservation Permit for AGFC WMAs (p. 4). The guidebook says the old free WMA General Use Permit has been eliminated. AGFC's web page still mentions it, so call AGFC (833-345-0325) if you're unsure.
• Hunter ed card if born after 1968, unless your license shows "HE-VERIFIED" (p. 16)
• Refuge permit for any NWR you hunt (for example, the signed brochure permit at Cache River NWR)

Mississippi (full page)

• Hunting license. The resident minimum is Small Game/Freshwater Fishing ($10); nonresident Small Game is $95 a year or $38 for 7 days (MDWFP prices)
• Mississippi Waterfowl Stamp: $10 resident, $19 nonresident (same source)
• HIP (shows "MB" on the card, or "HIP" on a paper license) (MDWFP digest)
• WMA User Permit: $15 resident, $30 nonresident (MDWFP prices)
• Shortcut for residents: the $35 Waterfowl Hunter Package covers the license, WMA permit, state stamp and HIP, but not the federal stamp (same source)
• North Mississippi NWR permit, $15, for Coldwater River, Dahomey, Tallahatchie and Noxubee (same source)
• Residents 65+: no license needed, but you still need both stamps and HIP (MDWFP)
• Check in and out on WMAs (HuntFish app or the daily visitor card) (MDWFP WMA rules)

Tennessee (full page)

• Resident: Combo Hunt/Fish ($33) plus the Waterfowl Supplemental ($37), or an Annual Sportsman ($165) (TWRA 2026-27 guide, p. 8)
• Nonresident: 7-day ($61) or annual ($110) small game/waterfowl (pp. 9–10)
• Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit, $1 (no fee with Sportsman or Lifetime licenses) (p. 10)
• WMA Small Game & Waterfowl permit on WMAs coded "WF": $61 a year or $12 a day. Sportsman and Lifetime holders are exempt; nonresidents always need it (pp. 11, 82)
• Reelfoot: Reelfoot Lake Preservation Permit ($3 a day, $10 for 3 days, $16 a year) unless exempt (p. 11)
• Hunter ed if born on or after Jan 1, 1969 (p. 7)
• Quota-hunt permit or blind draw paperwork, if drawn

Louisiana

• Basic Hunting License plus a Waterfowl License (or a Sportsman's Paradise, lifetime or senior license). Nonresidents also have 5-day and 10-day options (LDWF licensing guide)
• The Louisiana state duck stamp is a collectible, not required (same source)
• HIP. Hunters 17 and under don't need it unless they're in a WMA youth waterfowl lottery hunt (same source)
• WMA access permit for LDWF WMAs. Not confirmed Prices are on the LDWF fee list; that page blocked our checks, so we haven't confirmed current prices.

Part 2: The rules that catch people out

Part 3: Gear checklist

On you

• Waders (leak-tested), wading belt
• Layers: base, insulating, waterproof shell; gloves; warm hat
• Headlamp, plus a backup light
• Life jacket or inflatable belt pack (in the boat, wear it)
• Licenses, stamps and permits in a zip bag
• Phone in a waterproof case; offline maps loaded
• Calls on a lanyard

Gun and shells

• Shotgun, plugged; floating case
• Nontoxic shells only; count them on 25-shell WMAs
• Choke tube and wrench

Spread

• Decoys rigged for the water depth; spare weights and line
• Spinning-wing or jerk cord, if legal where you hunt
• Mesh decoy bag (no plastic or metal decoy containers at Reelfoot)

Boat

• Navigation lights working, spotlight, spare bulbs
• Paddle or push pole, anchor, bow line
• Throwable, horn or whistle, bilge pump
• Spare prop and tools; extra fuel
• Registration and boater ed card

Dry bag

• Full change of clothes
• Fire starter, first-aid kit, space blanket
• Water and food
• Trash bag for hulls and litter

Blind and dog

• Portable blind or boat-blind cover (no cutting where it's banned)
• Dog vest, stand, first-aid kit

Part 4: Safety

• File a float plan. Text someone where you're launching, where you're hunting, and when you'll be back.
• Cold water is the real danger. A small, loaded boat, cold water and a life jacket under the seat is how good hunters drown. Wear yours while you're running.
• Overloading: check the capacity plate and count dogs and decoys in the weight.
• Low water this year means new sandbars, exposed stumps and steep, muddy ramps. Run slower than last year.
• Fog: carry a GPS track of your route in, and don't run blind.
• Zones of fire: agree on them before the first bird comes in. Never swing past your partner.

Part 5: Etiquette and spacing

• First come, first served is the rule on most freelance water. On Cache River NWR it's written down: the first party there has the spot unless it invites others (Cache River NWR).
• Give room. Cache River NWR requires 100 yards between parties. Even where no number is written, 200 yards in open water keeps the peace.
• Don't set up on someone's flight line or in the hole they're working with a spread out. If you see lights, keep going.
• Kill your spotlight when you're near another blind or a boat that's setting out.
• Idle past set-up hunters after shooting time. Don't run through their spread.
• Don't sky-bust. Birds circling another spread aren't yours.
• Pick up every hull. Some areas require it (Mississippi WMAs, Cache River NWR), and it's how public land stays open.
• Be off on time. The 1 p.m. rule is how the birds get to rest, and why there are birds the next morning.

Print tip: this page prints cleanly on two pages with the gear list on page 2. Something out of date? Tell us at the contact page.

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