Section 2.25: Hunting Upland Game Birds
Statutory authority: Environmental Conservation Law, §§ 11-0303, 11-0307, 11-0903, 11-0905, 11-0909, 11-0917, 11-1005, 11-1007, 11-1103, and 11-1105
Contents:
Sec.
§2.25 Hunting upland game birds.
(a) Gray partridge
(b) Pheasant
(c) Quail
(d) Ruffed grouse
(e) Shooting hours
(f) Falconry
(g) General provisions
(a) Gray partridge. The gray partridge season is closed.
(1) Pheasant hunting seasons and bag limits.
| Open Season | Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|
| October 1 through the last day in February | 3A, 3C, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3N, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, 4T, 4U, 4W, 4Y, 4Z, 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 5R, 5S, 5T, 6A, 6C, 6F, 6G, 6H, 6J, 6K, 6N, 6P, 6R, 6S, and 7A | Two per day |
| First Saturday after October 14 through December 31 | 7H, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8S, 9A, 9C, and 9F | Two per day |
| First Saturday after October 14 through the last day in February | 7F, 7J, 7M, 7P, 7R, 7S, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9W, 9X, and 9Y | Two per day |
| November 1 through December 31 | 2A**, 1A and 1C. | Four per day; 30 per season |
** In WMU 2A, hunting is permitted by falconry only.
(2) Regulation of hen shooting.
(i) Male pheasants may be taken in all parts of the State open to pheasant hunting.
(ii) Female pheasants may be taken in all parts of the State open to pheasant hunting except:
(a) in wildlife management units 7H, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8S, 9A, 9C, and 9F; and
(b) in Suffolk County east of the Shinnecock Canal and Shinnecock Inlet.
(3) Youth hunt.
(i) Eligibility. In addition to the open seasons set forth in this subdivision, licensed junior hunters (12-15 years of age), accompanied by an adult in accordance with section 11-0929 of the Environmental Conservation Law, may take pheasants on special Youth Pheasant Hunting Days, as specified in this paragraph. Any adult who is accompanying a youth hunter pursuant to this section shall possess a valid hunting license, but shall not carry a firearm or longbow or kill a pheasant during the youth hunt.
(ii) Season. The Youth Pheasant Hunting Days shall be as follows:
(a) WMU 2A: no Youth Hunting Days.
(b) All other WMUs: Youth Pheasant Hunting Days shall be the last full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) prior to opening of the regular pheasant season.
(iii) Bag limits. Youth hunters may take no more than two pheasants during each Youth Pheasant Hunting Day. The regulation of hen shooting, as specified in this subdivision, shall apply to all Youth Pheasant Hunting Days.
(1) Hunters may hunt quail during those open seasons and Wildlife Management Units (as described in section 4.1 of this Title) or counties shown below.
| Open Season | Wildlife Management Units/Counties |
|---|---|
| November 1 through December 31 | 1A and 1C |
| October 1 through the last day in February | Putnam and Orange counties |
(2) Hunters may take:
(i) up to six quail on any one day; and
(ii) no more than 40 in any one season.
(1) Hunters may hunt ruffed grouse during those open seasons and in those Wildlife Management Units (as described in section 4.1 of this Title) listed below.
| Open Season | Wildlife Management Units |
|---|---|
| September 20th through last day in February | 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6F, 6G, 6H, 6J, 6K, 6N, and 7A |
| Closed | 1A, 1C and 2A |
| October 1st through the last day in February | Rest of the State |
(2) Bag Limit.
(i) Hunters may take four ruffed grouse on any one day.
(e) Shooting hours. Hunters may take gray partridge, pheasant, quail and ruffed grouse from sunrise to sunset.
(f) Falconry. Hunters may take gray partridge, pheasant, quail and ruffed grouse during their respective open seasons by the use of raptors pursuant to the provisions of Part 173 of this Title. Both male and female pheasants may be taken anywhere in the State.
(g) General provisions. The provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law are applicable to hunting gray partridge, pheasant, quail and ruffed grouse pursuant to this section.