Migratory Game Bird Hunting
The state regulations for hunting migratory birds can be found in Title 6, New York Code of Rules and Regulations, Section 2.30 (leaves DEC's website). The federal regulations are in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 (leaves DEC's website).
Migratory Game Birds Are:
- all wild ducks, geese, and brant (these also are "migratory waterfowl")
- coot, Virginia rails, sora rails, and gallinules
- American woodcock and snipe
Note: For hunting common crows, some migratory game bird hunting regulations do not apply. Please read the regulations in the Crow Hunting, General Hunting and Small Game Hunting sections.
Waterfowl Hunters: To stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, regulations prohibit the launching and retrieving of watercraft at state boat launches and other state lands with any plant or animal part in, on, or attached.
The new regulations apply to the use of phragmites or other invasive plants for covering hunting boats and blinds. They do not apply to the use of non-invasive plants used for camouflage (such as cedar); dogs; and legally taken game and fish.
Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasives
- Check, Clean, Drain, Dry, and Disinfect your boat and hunting equipment after each hunt.
- Pay special attention to boat trailers, decoy anchors & lines, decoy bags, and waders.
- Drain, dry, and disinfect aqua keel decoys. The water trapped inside could contain nearly invisible aquatic invasive species such as spiny water flea or zebra mussel larvae.
Reporting Banded Migratory Game Birds
Please report band recoveries on-line or by sending your information to: Bird Banding Lab, 12100 Beach Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708. The call center for reporting bird bands was discontinued June 30, 2017. People calling this toll-free number will be directed to report their bird bands using the REPORTBAND website. Biologists in New York and throughout North America rely heavily on the encounters reported by hunters. We would like to thank you for your continued support in this effort.
More about Migratory Game Bird Hunting:
- Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations - General Regulations for Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
- 2022-23 Waterfowl & Migratory Game Bird Seasons - Season dates and bag limits for ducks, snow geese, and brant for each waterfowl hunting zone in New York.
- General Waterfowl Hunting Information - Most migratory game bird seasons are set based on five hunting zones that have been approved by the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service.
- Migratory Game Bird Hunting Zone Boundary Descriptions - Map of New York State showing the final Canada goose hunting season dates, bag limits, and other regulations. Canada goose seasons are set based on Goose Hunting Areas rather than the five waterfowl hunting zones.
- Migratory Game Bird Banding and Management - Summary of annual surveys and banding efforts by DEC staff to manage and keep track of migratory game bird populations.
- Falconry Regulations - Summary of special State and Federal rules for taking of migratory game birds by falconers when hunting with trained raptors
