Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the April 2008 issue
DEC Invites Hunter Input on Fall 2008-09 Waterfowl Seasons
DEC recently invited waterfowl hunters to submit recommendations to regional Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces for the dates of the fall 2008-09 duck hunting seasons. 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 to make recommendations for the fall 2008-09 hunting seasons. Recommendations for 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.
DEC seeks hunter input in establishing the next duck hunting season
About the Task Forces
Each task force includes representatives from the New York State Conservation Council (see "Related Links" below), established waterfowl hunting organizations, and individual waterfowl hunters who were chosen to provide a broad range of input. Task force members act as representatives of all duck hunters in each zone, and collectively recommend opening and closing dates, including split seasons if desired, and a Youth Waterfowl Hunting weekend that will best satisfy the diverse interests in their zone. Recommended dates must be within federal guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For fall 2008-09, 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 27 and closing no later than January 25.
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 these Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces have helped DEC establish season dates that provide balanced opportunities for waterfowl hunting in each region of the state.
To Participate
Waterfowl hunters can participate in the season-setting process by providing duck season suggestions to any task force member on or before April 3. Names and contact information for all task force members can be found on the 2008/09 Waterfowl Season Input page of DEC's website. 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.
Canada geese are popular game birds in New York State
Input on hunting seasons for other migratory game birds, including Canada geese, snow geese, brant, and woodcock, should be submitted by April 30 to any member of DEC's season-setting team. Names and contact information for those staff are listed after the task force members on the 2008/09 Waterfowl Season Input web page.
Fall 2008-09 waterfowl seasons will be based largely on task force recommendations. However, as stated earlier, 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 members. The tentative waterfowl hunting season dates will be posted on the DEC's website and announced by a press release in June.
Related Links:
New York State Conservation Council (leaving DEC's site)
