2024-25 migratory bird seasons set
The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced that migratory game bird hunting seasons for waterfowl has been set for 2024-25 in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Season dates for ducks are now set through the 2026-27 hunting seasons.
For the complete list, check out the DEC website at dec.ny.gov.
During this past spring, DEC completed an updated process for selecting duck seasons. These dates will be in place for the next three years.
The mallard limit is back to four birds per person with no more than two hens.
For Canada goose seasons, the Northeast, West Central, East Central, Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain areas will be 30 days long with a daily limit of three birds.
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For the South area, the season will run from Oct. 26-Nov. 15 and Nov. 23-Jan. 19 with a daily limit of five birds. There will continue to be a nuisance season from Sept. 1-Sept. 25 with a 15-bird daily limit.
Duck hunting seasons begin with youth hunts and for the Western zone of the state on Sept. 28 and 29. These hunting opportunities are geared for 12-to-15-year-olds with a fully-licensed adult mentor. Adults may not possess a firearm or shoot any birds during the special weekend.
Western zone duck seasons are set for Oct. 12-Nov. 3, with a late split of Dec. 7-Jan. 12. The two-bird per day limit on scaup will be Dec. 24-Jan. 12.
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Jackson Jones of Pittsburgh reeled in this 23.6-pound salmon for the Vision Quest fishing team at the Orleans County Open.
Vision Quest, Roll with It win
In the recent Orleans County Open Salmon and Trout tournament out of Point Breeze, teams were disappointed that they couldn’t fish on June 8 due to inclement weather.
The unique tournament, forcing competitors to catch both salmon and trout within a strict time frame, would only be held for one day. For professional teams, it would be five salmon and five trout with extra points for steelhead. For the amateur division, it would be three salmon and three trout.
After a day of fishing, it was the Vision Quest team led by Capt. Pete Alex of Erie, Pa., earning the top prize with a score of 266 points. Also on the team were Eric Kelly of Wilson, Frank Icavetta and Jim McShane, both of Erie, and Jackson Jones of Pittsburgh. The win came one week after they finished second in the Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament out of Wilson and Olcott.
They flip-flopped with the Screamer team led by Dave Antenori of Clarks Summit, Pa., who placed first in the Pro-Am and second in the Orleans County Open with 256 points.
In the amateur division for the open, it was the Roll with It team led by Rich Raidline of Bangor, Pa., with 156 points. Also on the team were Rich's son Ryan Raidline, Mike Sabo of Flemington, N.J. and Ricky Ueberroth and Kyle Ueberroth, both of Denver, Pa. They beat out Howell at the Sky by five points.
“The thing I like most about this tournament,” Rich Raidline said, “is that we need to catch multiple species. It’s not just your typical salmon tournament. It really makes you think about different strategies.”
Comment period on proposed license printing fee
Beginning this August, the hunting, fishing and trapping licenses will be printed on plain paper. Since license issuing agents (LIAs) will use their own paper, printers and ink, a new regulatory proposal has been announced that would allow LIAs to charge $1 to offset material costs.
In addition, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's license vendor may levy an additional $2 for licenses purchased online or by phone when the buyer requests they be printed and mailed.
All those who purchase licenses online, by phone, via the DEC’s app, or in-person with an agent will have the option to avoid the fee by choosing to receive their licenses and tags via email to print at home.
DEC is interested in viewpoints from license holders and encourages public feedback on this proposal. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 12, and can be submitted via email to [email protected] with the subject line "Paper license transaction fee" or via mail to the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12233-4754.