N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 6 § 54.3

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 54.3 - Hunting

Hunting in the Wetlands - Restricted Area portions of an Area is prohibited unless a valid hunting permit is obtained or the hunters are registered at the waterfowl permit station of the Area as directed by posted notice. Hunting is prohibited in the State Wildlife Refuge - Posted portions of an Area.

(a) Wilson Hill. Hunting permits are issued in order of personal appearance at the waterfowl permit station beginning no later than one hour before designated hunting hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between the opening and final closing days of the duck hunting season. No more than 150 waterfowl hunting permits and 35 small game hunting permits will be available each day.

(1) Special early goose hunting season. No more than 100 Canada goose hunting permits will be available in order of personal appearance beginning no later than one hour before designated hunting hours each day of the Canada goose season following Labor Day.

(2) Archery hunters must sign in at the registration box located at the waterfowl permit station each day of any upland game hunting season when the waterfowl permit station is closed. Registration may begin no earlier than one hour before designated hunting hours and access is by foot only at any time the main entrance gate is closed.

(3) Waterfowl and small game hunters must sign in at the registration box at the waterfowl permit station beginning no earlier than one hour before designated hunting hours each day after the final closing day of the duck season.

(b) Perch River. Hunting permits are available in order of personal appearance at the waterfowl permit station beginning no later than one hour before designated hunting hours each day of the duck hunting season. No more than 300 waterfowl hunting permits will be available each day.

(1) Upland game hunters must sign in at the registration box located at the waterfowl permit station each day of any upland game hunting season when the permit station is closed. Registration will begin no earlier than one hour before designated hunting hours and access to hunting areas is by foot only.

(2) Waterfowl hunters must sign in at the registration box located at the waterfowl permit station beginning no earlier than one hour before designated hunting hours each day following the final closing day of the duck season.

(c) Upper and Lower Lakes. Seasonal hunting permits will be available no earlier than 30 days prior to the opening of the small game hunting season. They may be applied for as follows:

(1) by writing to the Regional Wildlife Manager, Department of Environmental Conservation, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601; or

(2) by appearing in person, during normal business hours, at the Division of Lands and Forest Office, Department of Environmental Conservation, 30 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617.

(d) Hunting hours and when a permittee may enter and must leave an area will be designated prior to the opening of hunting seasons by the regional office via news releases and by posted notice at the waterfowl check station located on the wildlife management area.

(e) The department may waive the day-use permit system on selected Areas and institute a seasonal permit system. In that event seasonal permits will be available. They may be applied for by writing to the Regional Wildlife Manager, Department of Environmental Conservation, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

(f) The department may require the successful completion of a waterfowl identification course as a prerequisite for obtaining a waterfowl hunting permit.

(g) The department may institute a preseason drawing for an Area in order to select waterfowl hunters for designated hunting days. Drawings will be held no later than two weeks prior to the opening day of the waterfowl season by the Regional Office of the Department of Environmental Conservation in Watertown, NY.

(h) General hunting regulations:

(1) Waterfowl hunters must be equipped in the field with at least one of the following:

(i) hip boots;

(ii) waders;

(iii) boat; and

(iv) retriever dog.

(2) Possession of a loaded gun other than during designated hunting hours is prohibited.

(3) Possession while afield, or use of more than 25 shotgun shells per day, by waterfowl hunters is prohibited.

(4) Consistently shooting at target species out of range is prohibited.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 6 § 54.3