DEC Announces Tentative 2014-15 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons

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Early Announcement Helps Hunters Plan Trips

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Albany, NY - June 2014 - The tentative schedule for many of New York's 2014-15 migratory game bird seasons is now available, allowing sportsmen and sportswomen to plan outdoor activities well in advance, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. Tentative season dates for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe and rails can be found on the DEC website.
 
"Each year, DEC announces the tentative schedule so hunters can begin making plans for a safe and successful season," Commissioner Martens said, following along with Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative "Still, we always remind hunters to check the final dates, usually issued in late summer, before going afield."
 
The final season dates, bag limits and other regulations for 2014-15 migratory game bird hunting seasons in New York will be posted on DEC's website and announced by a statewide news release, once they are approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late summer. Hunters should confirm the final season dates before going afield.
 
Waterfowl Bag Limits
Species Daily Limit Possession Limit
Ducks* 6 18
Sea Ducks** 7 21
Coot 15 45
Canada geese # see map
Snow geese 25 no limit
Brant 2 6
 

 

Hunting Season

Species

Western

Northeast

Lake
Champlain

Southeast

Long
Island

Youth Days

Oct 4 & 5

Sept 20 & 21

Sept 27 & 28

Sept 27 & 28

Nov 22 & 23

Ducks, Coots,
Mergansers

Oct 18 - Dec 2
Dec 27 - Jan 9

Oct 4 - Oct 19
Nov 1 - Dec 14

TBD

Oct 11 - Oct 19
Nov 8 - Dec 28

Nov 27 - Jan 25

Sea Ducks

same as above

same as above

same as above

same as above

Oct 17 - Jan 31c

Snow Geese

Oct 1 - Apr 15

Oct 1 - Apr 15

Oct 1 - Dec 29
Jan 16 - Apr 15

Oct 1 - Apr 15

Nov 24 - Mar 10

Brant

Oct 4 - Nov 22

Oct 4 - Nov 22

TBD

Oct 11 - Nov 29

Nov 27 - Nov 30
Dec 11 - Jan 25

Canada Goose
Seasons

see map for Canada Goose Seasons

The tentative season dates were developed by a team of DEC staff representing all regions of the state, taking into consideration anticipated federal regulations for the coming year and recommendations from Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces established by DEC for each zone. DEC has used a task force approach since 1997, and it has been very helpful for setting seasons where hunter preferences are diverse. For more information about the task forces, go visit the DEC website.

The tentative season dates for the Lake Champlain Zone were not included because they will be determined by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board following public meetings likely to be held in August in Whitehall, N.Y. and Burlington, Vt. DEC encourages New York waterfowl hunters who frequent the Champlain Zone to attend one of these meetings; details will be announced later this summer. Comments and suggestions about the Lake Champlain Zone may also be submitted to any DEC season-setting team member or by e-mail to wfseason@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
 
Copies of the 2014-15 migratory game bird hunting regulations brochure will be available on the DEC website in late August and by mid-September wherever hunting licenses are sold.
 
For more information about hunting waterfowl or other migratory game birds in New York, visit the DEC website.
 
The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.
 
In support of this initiative, this year's budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State.
 
This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders.