New York State Banner
D E C banner
D E C banner

Environment DEC


From the July 2007 issue

Tentative 2007-08 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Announced

The tentative schedule for most of New York State's 2007-2008 waterfowl hunting seasons has been announced, allowing sportsmen and sportswomen to plan outdoor activities well in advance. The dates won't become final until late summer when federal regulations are official, but they are expected to conform with federal requirements for the coming year.

September Canada Goose Season

The September Canada goose season will open on September 1, 2007 in most areas of the state. Tentative dates for this season are as follows:

  • Lake Champlain Zone - September 4 through September 25, 2007
  • Long Island Zone - September 4 through September 30, 2007
  • All other zones - September 1 through September 25, 2007

Bag Limits

goose in water
DEC encourages sportsmen and women to take advantage of the excellent waterfowl hunting opportunities expected

The bag limit for geese during September is eight per day, with the exception of the Lake Champlain Zone, where the limit is five geese per day. The September season is designed to increase the harvest of local-nesting or "resident" Canada geese, which are causing more problems every year. Approximately 40,000 birds are taken annually by September goose hunters in New York State, helping to slow the growth of populations where hunting is allowed.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekends

The annual Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held in each zone this fall, providing additional days for junior hunters (ages 12-15) to hunt ducks, geese and brant. This special opportunity is intended to encourage experienced waterfowl hunters to help teach young hunters the techniques and ethics of this sport. The junior hunter must be fully licensed and accompanied by an adult hunter in accordance with all New York State regulations, and only the junior hunter may take birds on these days. Tentative dates for Youth Waterfowl hunting weekends (Saturday-Sunday) are as follows:

  • Northeastern and Southeastern Zones - September 22 through 23, 2007
  • Western Zone - October 13 through 14, 2007
  • Long Island Zone - November 10 through 11, 2007

Duck-Hunting Seasons

Regular duck-hunting seasons will begin during October in most zones and continue well into December or January in all areas. Tentative dates for duck seasons are as follows:

  • Northeastern Zone - October 6 through October 14 and October 24 through December 13, 2007
  • Southeastern Zone - October 13 through October 21 and November 10 through December 30, 2007
  • Western Zone - October 23 through December 6 and December 29 through January 12, 2008
  • Long Island Zone - November 29 through January 27, 2008

Fall Canada Goose Seasons

Regular fall hunting seasons for Canada geese follow different geographic boundaries than standard zones for duck hunting, as described in DEC's annual regulations brochure and on DEC's website. Tentative dates for regular Canada goose seasons are as follows:

  • Northeastern Goose Hunting Area: October 27 through December 10, 2007
  • West Central Goose Hunting Area - November 3 through December 2 and December 29 through January 12, 2008
  • East Central Goose Hunting Area - October 27 through November 16 and November 24 through December 17, 2007
  • Hudson Valley Goose Hunting Area - October 27 through November 16 and December 15 through January 7, 2008
  • South Goose Hunting Area - October 27 through December 16 and December 26 through January 13, 2008
  • Western Long Island - November 29 through February 6, 2008
  • Eastern Long Island - November 29 through January 27, 2008
waterfowl scene
Before going afield, hunters should confirm final season dates

These tentative season dates were developed by a team of DEC biologists representing all regions of New York State. The selections are based on anticipated federal regulations for the coming year and hunter input, including 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 establishing seasons where hunter preferences are diverse.

As soon as the final federal waterfowl hunting regulations are known, the official state regulations for all 2007-2008 waterfowl seasons will be published on DEC's website and announced by a statewide news release. Hunters should confirm the final season dates before going afield.

Lake Champlain Zone

Final dates for the Lake Champlain Zone will be determined by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board following a mid-August public hearing in Burlington, Vermont. The dates will be based on recommendations received from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, DEC and public comments presented at the hearing. DEC urges New York waterfowl hunters to attend that hearing and provide input on Lake Champlain seasons.

Regulations Brochure and HIP

Copies of the 2007-2008 regulations brochure will be available in late September wherever hunting licenses are sold. DEC also plans to mail brochures to everyone who registered in New York's Harvest Information Program (HIP) last year. HIP provides hunter names and addresses that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses for harvest surveys and DEC uses to mail hunters the annual regulations brochure. Hunters must register with HIP every year for every state where they intend to hunt. The HIP registration website and phone number will be activated in mid August.