Environment DEC
From the April 2007 issue
DEC Invites Hunter Input on Fall 2007 Waterfowl Seasons
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently invited waterfowl hunters to submit recommendations to regional waterfowl hunter task forces for the dates of the fall 2007 duck hunting seasons.
About Hunter Task Forces
New York State is divided into five waterfowl hunting zones: Western, Southeastern, Northeastern, Lake Champlain and Long Island. DEC recently appointed task forces for each zone (except Lake Champlain, see below) to make recommendations for the fall 2007 hunting seasons. Each task force includes representatives from the New York State Conservation Council, established waterfowl hunting organizations, and individual waterfowl hunters who were chosen to provide a broad range of input.
Waterfowl hunting season runs for two segments during the fall and early winter
Task force members act as representatives of all duck hunters in each zone, and collectively recommend opening and closing dates (and split seasons if desired) and a Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend that best satisfy the diverse interests in their zone. The recommended dates must be within federal guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For fall 2007, DEC biologists expect the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow a 60-day duck season, split into no more than two segments per zone, and opening no earlier than September 22, 2007 and closing no later than January 27, 2008.
DEC established hunter task forces in 1997 to help set duck hunting season dates for areas of the state where hunter preferences vary widely. Federal regulations limit the number of days that duck seasons can be open, and waterfowl hunter task forces have helped DEC establish season dates that provide balanced opportunities for waterfowl hunting in each region of the state.
Deadlines for Input
Waterfowl hunters participate in the season-setting process by providing duck season suggestions to waterfowl season task force members in any of the various zones. This year's deadline for input is on or before April 6.
Input on hunting seasons for other migratory game birds, including Canada geese, snow geese, brant, woodcock, snipe, rails and crows should be submitted on or before April 30 to any member of DEC's season-setting team.
Comments can be provided by mail, telephone or e-mail. The comment due date is important because the task forces will meet in April and DEC plans to announce tentative duck hunting season dates in June, allowing hunters time to make vacation plans. Names and contact information for all task force members and members of DEC's season-setting team are listed in the complete press release (see "Related Links" below).
About the Lake Champlain Zone
Fall 2007 waterfowl seasons will be based largely on task force recommendations. However, seasons in the Lake Champlain zone will continue to be set by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Management Board, with consultation from DEC and input from hunters in New York and Vermont. Although there is no formal task force for this zone, sportsmen and women can send their input to any DEC season-setting team member on the attached list.
Descriptions of New York State's waterfowl hunting zones can be found on the DEC website and are listed in DEC's Waterfowl Hunting Guide. The tentative waterfowl hunting season dates will be posted on the DEC website and announced by news release in June.
Related Links
Offsite Links
New York State Conservation Council
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Management Board
