Environment DEC
From the August 2003 issue
Duck Permits Needed for Opening Weekend in Two Western New York Areas
Special duck hunting permits will be issued for the opening weekend of waterfowl season at Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management areas in Genesee and Niagara counties. This is to promote safety and increase the quality of hunting during the time when the areas are most heavily used.
The two opening days will be the only time duck permits are needed. No special permits will be required to hunt geese or other game species at Oak Orchard or Tonawanda.
Tentative 2003 waterfowl hunting season opening dates for this area are October 18 and 19, but will be made final when federal regulations are adopted in late summer. Hunters are advised to confirm dates before hunting any waterfowl.
Permits by Lottery
Permits will be awarded by a random lottery. For each day, Tonawanda will issue 100 permits and Oak Orchard will issue 50. Hunters can choose from four options: Oak Orchard first Saturday, Oak Orchard first Sunday, Tonawanda first Saturday, or Tonawanda first Sunday.
To apply, hunters must send in a postcard with their name, address, and their first three choices, in order of preference, clearly indicated. Applicants must also have completed a Waterfowl Identification Course and their course certificate number must be indicated on the postcard. Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2003 and must be mailed to:
NYS Bureau of Wildlife
P.O. Box 422
Basom, New York 14013
Cards submitted by those who already hold permits to hunt the nearby Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on opening weekend will be excluded from the lottery for the same day at both Oak Orchard and Tonawanda.
Each permittee is allowed to bring one companion over the age of 18 and another 18 years old or younger. Permits are nontransferable and will not be valid for companions unless the permittee is present and hunting within 50 yards.
The questionnaire part of the permit must be completed by the permittee and sent to the Bureau of Wildlife by November 1, 2003. If the questionnaire is not received by that date, the permittee will be ineligible for the 2004 lottery.
