2010-2011 NY WATERFOWL SEASON DATES

[THE GOB-FATHER]

For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Maureen Wren
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 [phone]

DEC ANNOUNCES 2010-2011 WATERFOWL SEASON DATES
September Goose and Other Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Provide Diverse
Opportunities Across the State

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that information about the
upcoming waterfowl hunting season, including season dates and updated
regulations, is now available on the DEC website at
www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28503.html. These regulations will
become official as soon as federal and state rule-making procedures are
finalized in the next several weeks. Season dates for the Lake
Champlain Zone will be posted soon after they are set by the Vermont
Fish and Wildlife Board at its Aug. 18 meeting.

“New York's unique configuration of waterfowl management zones
provides hunters with open seasons somewhere in the state from September
to April,” the Commissioner said.

This year's season selections were developed by a team of DEC
biologists from around the state, with input from waterfowl hunters,
including hunter task forces. DEC has looked to task forces to help
select waterfowl hunting season dates for more than a decade.

Duck Season Outlook:

Most duck populations in New York are in great shape this year due to
favorable habitat conditions across the continent for waterfowl nesting
and brood-rearing. Breeding populations of eastern mallards and wood
ducks - the two most commonly harvested ducks in New York - are similar
to or higher than last year. Improved habitat conditions in central
North America have also benefited some less common but popular species,
such as northern pintail, canvasback, and scaup. Duck hunters will see
similar bag limits to 2009 for most duck species, except that the daily
limit for pintails was increased to two per day.

Goose Season Outlook:

Hunting seasons for Canada geese are set for different geographic areas
of the state than other waterfowl seasons. In most areas, goose season
opens in early September, but hunters should confirm the season dates
and area descriptions on the DEC website before going afield. The one
exception is the Western Long Island zone, which covers Nassau County
and parts of Suffolk and Westchester counties. In order to make hunting
there more productive, the season will not open until late November but
will run into early March.

A special spring season for snow geese will continue for the third year
in all of upstate New York. These birds have become so abundant that
they are causing harm to wetland habitats throughout their range.
Special spring seasons have been established in many eastern states and
provinces to increase hunter harvest and help reduce this population.
The daily limit for snow geese was increased this year to 25 per day.

Federal Duck Stamp and State Migratory Bird Harvest Information
Program:

Hunters 16 or older must have a 2010 federal duck stamp to hunt
during any of the 2010-2011 seasons, including those held in September
2010. Federal duck stamps cost $15 and are available at most post
offices and some sporting goods stores. They are also available by
calling toll-free 1-800-852-4897 or at www.duckstamp.com. Stamps must
be signed across the face by the hunter before they become valid, but
they do not have to be attached to the hunting license.

All migratory game bird (waterfowl, woodcock, snipe, rails and
gallinules) hunters, including junior hunters (age 12-15), must register
with New York's Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) prior
to hunting in any of the 2010-2011 seasons. HIP registrations are valid
from July 1 through June 30 annually (the same as federal duck stamps),
so every migratory game bird hunter needs to register in HIP for
2010-2011 before going afield on or after September 1. Hunters must
register every year and for each state in which they plan to hunt
migratory game birds, and also must carry proof of compliance whenever
going afield.

To register in HIP, call toll-free 1-888-427-5447 (1-888-4 ASK
HIP) or visit
www.NY-HIP.com.

Hunting Safety:

Commissioner Grannis reminded hunters to follow simple safety
guidelines and to use good judgment when choosing a time and place to
hunt. Being considerate of other people enjoying the outdoors or who
live nearby can help avoid potential conflicts and ensure a safe and
enjoyable season. As coastal areas become more populated, new landowners
unfamiliar with the safety, ethics and traditions of waterfowl hunting
sometimes respond by seeking to limit hunter access to popular waterfowl
hunting areas. Hunters should be considerate and try to minimize
disturbance of local residents whenever possible.

New York's 2010-2011 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons and Regulations brochure
will be available on the DEC website in late August, and a limited
supply of paper copies will be distributed in September to all
license-issuing agents and DEC regional offices.

For more information about waterfowl hunting in New York, including
public hunting areas around the state, go to
www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28175.html or contact any DEC wildlife
office. Contact information for all regional offices can be found on the
DEC website www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html .

Habitat Stamp:

Commissioner Grannis also encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to
consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps
support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access
for fish and wildlife-related recreation. The new 2010-2011 stamp
features a drawing of a pair of Common Loons. Buying a $5 stamp is a way
to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. More information
about purchasing a Habitat Stamp is available at
www.dec.ny.gov/permits/329.html .

[LongSpur39]

It's amazing how you see hundreds of geese where ya can't hunt! It is sick in some areas around here . And nobody botherin em! But woodies up the wazoo,where we can hunt. Just a long wait!