For this regulation, migratory game birds are wild ducks, geese, brant, coot, rails, gallinules, woodcock and snipe. Migratory waterfowl are wild ducks, geese, brant and coot.
All migratory game bird hunters must carry a valid New York State small game hunting license, except for persons not required to have a hunting license. Migratory game bird hunters in New York
must also register for each license year with New York's Harvest Information Program (HIP) and carry proof of compliance whenever going afield. To register, call toll-free 1-888-4ASKHIP (1-888-427-5447)
or visit the website: www.wetland.net.
At the end of the call or visit, you will be given a confirmation number that you can record on the back of your hunting license as proof of participation.
MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING AND CONSERVATION STAMP
Each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and over must carry on his/her person a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp ("duck stamp") signed in ink across the face of the stamp. Stamps do not have
to be attached to your license. Duck stamps are not required to hunt coot, rails, gallinules, woodcock, or snipe. Duck stamps are not required by minors 12-15 years of age hunting migratory waterfowl in New York State.
Federal duck stamps are sold at most Post Offices and many sporting goods stores and cost $ 15.00 each. They may also be ordered by calling 1-800-382-5499 or visting the website: www.duckstamp.com.
There is an additional shipping and handling fee for phone or internet orders.
Migratory waterfowl may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset in all hunting zones.
NON-TOXIC SHOT REQUIREMENT
Non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl hunting everywhere in New York State. Possession or use of shells loaded with shot other than steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-bronze, tungsten-iron, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten-polymer,tungsten-tin-bismuth, tungsten-tin-iron-nickel, or other shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is strictly prohibited when hunting waterfowl.
No person shall take migratory game birds:
- With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance.
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- With a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler that is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.
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- From a sink box (a low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water).
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- From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven land conveyance, or any aircraft, except that paraplegics and single or double amputees of the legs may, with a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation, take from any stationary motor vehicle
or stationary-motor-driven land conveyance. "Paraplegic" means an individual afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs, usually due to disease or injury to the spinal cord.
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- From or by means of any motorboat or sailboat unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or sail furled, and its progress therefrom has ceased. Motorboats and sailboats under power may be used to retrieve dead or crippled birds;
however crippled birds may not be shot from such craft under power except in the Special Sea Duck Area described in the Hunting Seasons table.
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- By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame or captive ducks and geese shall be removed for a period of ten (10) consecutive days prior to hunting, and confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such tame
birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl.
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- Using recorded migratory bird calls or sounds, or electrically amplified imitations of bird calls.
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- By driving, rallying, or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sailboat to put them in the range of hunters.
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- By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt, or other feed to constitute a lure or enticement), or on or over any baited area.
Hunters should be aware that a baited area is considered to be baited for ten (10) days after the removal of the bait, and it is not necessary for the hunter
to know an area is baited to be in violation. Migratory game birds may be taken on or over standing, crops, flooded harvested crop lands, grain crops properly
shocked on the field where grown or grains found scattered solely as a result of the normal agricultural planting or harvesting.
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WANTON WASTE/POSSESSION OF LIVE BIRDS
All migratory game birds shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field. Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be killed immediately and included in the daily bag limit.
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT
No more than one daily bag or aggregate daily bag limit of migratory game birds may be possessed or transported, tagged or untagged, at or between the place of taking and:
- his or her automobile or principal means of land transportation;
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- his or her personal abode or temporary place of lodging;
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- migratory bird preservation facility;
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- Post Office; or common carrier facility.
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No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird and then transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while being transported.
POSSESSION, TAGGING, SHIPMENT
AND IMPORTATION
The possession limit is the maximum number of migratory game birds that any person may possess in total at his/her automobile or principal means of land transportation, personal abode, or in his/her name any migratory bird preservation facility, post office, or common carrier facility.
The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for all waterfowl species except snow geese.
No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than personal abode) or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, shipping, transportation, storage (including temporary storage),
taxidermy services, unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information:
- the hunter's name, address and signature;
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- the total number of birds involved, by species; and
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- the dates such birds were killed.
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For more information on regulations pertaining to possession, tagging, shipment and importation of legally killed migratory game birds, see the 2007-2008 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide.
CAUTION/DUAL VIOLATION
More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges and State Wildlife Management areas open to public hunting. Violation of State migratory bird regulations is also a violation of Federal regulations.
DUCK HUNTING BLINDS
NYS Navigation Law requires that duck blinds placed in the waters of lakes within New York State be prominently marked with the owner's full name and address. All duck blinds must be removed from the water no later than March 15th following placement.
IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE !
Don't be a victim of a boating accident! Always wear a Personal Floatation Device - you must have one for everyone in your boat or canoe. Never shoot while standing in a boat. If you get wet, dry off quickly and get help. Hunt with a partner - the "Buddy System" works!
For additional information on Federal regulations, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at:
- Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building, Albany, NY 12207
(518) 431-4341;
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- 70 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 419, Valley Stream, NY 11581
(516) 825-3950; or
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- 405 N. French Road, Suite 120B, Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 691-3635
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BAG LIMITS
The daily limit is the maximum number of birds of each species that any person may take (or possess in the field) during any one day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for all waterfowl species except snow geese.
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SPECIES |
DAILY LIMIT |
POSSESSION LIMIT |
1 |
Ducks |
6 |
12 |
3 |
Sea Ducks |
7 |
14 |
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Coot |
15 |
30 |
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Canada Geese |
2 |
4 |
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Snow Geese |
15 |
No Limit |
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Brant |
2 |
4 |
1 - The daily limit of 6 ducks includes all mergansers, and may include no harlequin ducks and no more than 4 mallards (2 of which may be hens), 1 black duck, 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads,
2 scaup, 4 scoters and 1 hooded merganser. Canvasback may be taken only during periods specified in the Hunting Seasons table.
3 - The daily limit of 7 sea ducks (scoters, eiders and long-tailed ducks - formerly called oldsquaw) is in addition to the regular duck bag in coastal waters of the Long Island Zone only. No more than 4 scoters may be included in the daily bag of sea ducks. In all other areas, sea ducks are part of the regular duck bag limit.
Young hunters (12-15 years of age) possessing a current season Junior Hunting license may hunt ducks, coot, mergansers and Canada geese on 2 special days in each zone. Daily bag limits are the maximum allowed during the regular season and 2/day for geese. Junior Hunters must be accompanied by a licensed (including current HIP registration and duck stamp)
adult hunter, but the adult may not shoot any birds.
Mergansers are the most heavily contaminated waterfwl species and should not be eaten. Eat no more than two meals per month of other wild waterfowl; you should skin them and remove all fat before cooking, and discard stuffing after cooking.
Wood ducks and Canada Geese are less contaminated than other waterfowl and diving ducks are more contaminated than dabbler ducks.
REPORT BANDED BIRDS!
Please report any banded birds you encounter using the toll-free number:
1-800-327-BAND (1-800-327-2263)
The operator will want to know the band number and how, when and where it was recovered.
Bands can also be reported to http://.pwrc.nbs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm. You will receive a Certificate of Appreciation with information about the bird.
HELP migratory Bird Stamp Program - Last of State !
For almost twenty (20) years, New York's Migratory Bird Program print and stamp sales have provided money for migratory bird habitat conservation projects. However, due to a significant decline in sales we have decided to make the 2002 image, "Canvasbacks on the Great Niagara", the Last of State. Though the program is ending, revenue generated will continue
to be used for habitat restoration projects that will benefit wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts for generations to come. For more information or to place an order, call 1-800-325-2370.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Including the hunting seasons for other migratory game birds, consult the Fish and Wildlife Law, official DEC regulations, the 2007-2008 Hunting Guide, or contact the nearest DEC Regional Office or Environmental Conservation Officer. Or, visit DEC's website: www.dec.state.ny.us and click on the "Hunting Regulations" in the subject index.
The above information is provided courtesy of the West Seneca Town Clerk. For full information, please read the "Waterfowl Hunting Seasons and Regulations" brochure issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). If you have any questions or problems, please consult the the appropriate DEC office.
