THE waterfowl hunting season is still three months away, but since the northern breeding areas have again been productive New York has gone ahead with a tentative schedule for the season so hunters can plan their vacations and activities around the coming season.
Although the dates won’t be finalized until federal regulations are official, based on preliminary indications of waterfowl populations and habitat conditions, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) believes that the tentative season dates will conform with federal requirements for the coming year.
In the Western and Southeastern Zones, DEC adopted dates recommended by two waterfowl hunter “task forces.” This approach has helped DEC set seasons by consensus in areas where hunter preferences have often been in conflict.
In other zones, where duck hunting seasons have been less controversial, the DEC relied on hunter input from correspondence and public meetings held in previous years.
The tentative 2001-2002 season dates are as follows:
Northeastern Zone – Ducks, coot and mergansers, Oct. 6-Nov.12, Nov. 17-Dec. 8; sea ducks, same as ducks and mergansers; Youth Days, Sept. 29 and 30; Canada geese, Sept. 1-25, second dates not yet determined; snow geese, Oct. 6-Jan. 10 and March 1-10; brant, Oct. 6-Nov. 24.
Southeastern Zone – Ducks, coot and mergansers, Oct. 13-21 and Nov. 3-Dec. 23; sea ducks, same as ducks and mergansers; Youth Days, Sept. 29 and 30; Canada geese, Sept. 1-25, second dates not yet determined; snow geese, Oct. 13-Jan 17 and March 1-10; brant, Oct. 13-Dec. 1.
Long Island Zone – Ducks, coot and mergansers, Nov. 16-25 and Dec. 2-Jan. 20; sea ducks, Oct. 6-Jan. 20; Youth days, Nov. 3 and 4; Canada geese; Sept. 4-30, Nov. 16-25 and Dec. 22-Jan. 20; snow geese, Oct. 6-19, Nov. 16-25 and Dec. 18-Mar. 10; brant, Nov. 16-25 and Dec. 12-Jan. 20.
It was assumed that duck seasons would again be 60 days in length, with bag limits for most species the same as last year. The DEC plans a minor change to the boundary line dividing the Northeastern and Southeastern Zones, so that Oneida Lake would become part of the Northeastern Zone.
Two “Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days” will be held in each zone this fall, providing additional days for junior hunters (age 12-15) only to hunt ducks, coot, mergansers and Canada geese. Canada geese were not included in past years, but federal regulations now allow geese to be taken by junior hunters on these special days. This special opportunity is intended to encourage experienced waterfowl hunters to help teach young hunters the techniques and ethics of this sport.
