Syracuse.com - DEC announces 'significant' changes to September Canada goose hunting seasons across the state

[HuntingNY-News]

Higher bag limits and other special measures will be allowed this year because local-nesting (a.k.a. "resident") Canada goose populations remain too high in many areas. Hunters can now take up to 15 birds a day.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced several significant changes to September Canada goose hunting seasons throughout the state.

The season dates are similar to past years, but higher bag limits and other special measures will be allowed this year because local-nesting (a.k.a. "resident") Canada goose populations remain too high in many areas.

"When DEC established the September goose hunting season in the early 1990s, New York's resident Canada goose population was estimated to be around 130,000 birds, but today we have more than 200,000 birds," Martens said in a press release. "New York waterfowl hunters annually take more than 50,000 Canada geese during the September season, and we hope the changes adopted this year will enable hunters to take even more to help reduce the population."

The season for the greater Central New York area begins this Sunday. Among the changes:

1). During most of the September goose hunting seasons, hunters will be allowed to take up to 15 Canada geese per day. The previous limit was eight per day.

2) Shooting hours will be extended to one-half hour after sunset instead of the usual closing at sunset;

3) Hunters will be allowed to use electronic calling devices to help entice geese within shooting range (typically 50 yards or less);

4) Hunters will be allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells at a time, but no more than seven.

The opening and closing dates for the upcoming September Canada goose season are set for specific goose hunting areas, as follows:

- Lake Champlain: Sept.3 - 25

- Central and Eastern Long Island: Sept. 3 - 30

- Western Long Island: closed

- The rest of New York State: Sept. 1 - Sept. 25

See the DEC for more on September Canada goose hunting and the regulation changes.

License Requirements

To participate in the September Canada goose hunting season, hunters must:

1) Have a 2012-13 (last year's) hunting license, with small game hunting privileges, as these licenses remain valid through September 30, 2013

2) Be registered for 2013-14 in New York's Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). HIP registrations expire on June 30 annually, so all hunters must register now to hunt during September.

To register in HIP, call toll-free 1-888-427-5447 (1-888-4 ASK HIP) or visit the New York's Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program website.

Hunters age 16 years or older must also have a new (2013-14) federal duck stamp to hunt during the September goose season.

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 you can visit the Duck Stamp website. 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.

For more information:

New York's 2013-2014 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons and Regulations brochure, with all the waterfowl season dates and bag limits, 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, visit the DEC's website or contact any DEC wildlife office.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog