Special seasons for antlerless deer, early bears, Canadian geese and squirrels are approaching
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded hunters that September marks the beginning of several hunting seasons in New York State. Squirrel and Canada goose hunting seasons begin September 1 in upstate New York, and the first bear and antlerless deer seasons begin September 10 at WMUs. acronyms in English) selected.
“The first hunting seasons are a great opportunity to guide and introduce new hunters to the hunt,” said Commissioner Seggos. “The early bear, antlerless deer and September goose seasons are designed to reduce or stabilize wildlife populations in particular areas. By participating in these seasons, hunters help manage wildlife populations toward socially and ecologically desirable levels while enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.”
September 1: Open Canada Goose Hunting Seasons
The September Canada goose hunting season occurs in all goose hunting areas except western Long Island. All areas of the north of the state are open from September 1 to 25. Canada goose seasons in central and eastern Long Island begin on September 6 and end on September 30. In western Long Island, the season begins on October 8. The September season includes liberal bag limits (eight to 15 birds per day depending on area), extended shooting hours and other special regulations to maximize hunter success. Additional details on waterfowl hunting regulations, season dates, hunting area limits, and bag limits can be found on the DEC website.
The September goose hunting season is designed to help reduce or stabilize resident Canadian goose populations. Resident Canada Geese are those that breed in the US and southern Canada, as opposed to migratory populations that breed in northern Canada. In general, resident geese are the birds commonly associated with nuisance situations in urban and rural areas. Over the past 25 years, New York’s resident Canadian goose population has grown from an estimated 80,000 birds in 1995 to more than 340,000.
As the population grew, season length and catch limits were relaxed and hunters managed to stabilize the population. The September season is an important opportunity for hunters, as regular Canada goose seasons have been restricted to 30 days and bag limits have been lowered to one bird in most areas to protect more migratory geese. vulnerable. Resident geese look the same as migratory geese, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between the two populations. To learn more about the differences between migratory and resident geese and how these birds are managed, read the article “Canada Geese in New York: Residents or Visitors?” in the August 2019 issue of DEC’s Conservationist magazine.
September 10: Early bear and antlerless seasons begin
In 2022, early bear season in parts of southeastern New York will begin on September 10 and run through September 25 in WMUs 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R and 4W. The early bow hunting season for bears will begin in the South Zone on October 1, followed by the regular firearms season beginning November 19. In the North Zone, bow hunting season for bears begins on September 17 in WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, and 6N, and regular bear season in WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J , 6C, 6H and 6J starts on September 17.
Early antlerless deer season will begin on September 10 and run through September 18 at select WMUs. In WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, hunters may use firearms, crossbows, or vertical bows during the early antlerless season. In WMU 1C, 3S, 4J and 8C, hunters can only use vertical bows. During this season, only antlerless deer, those without antlers or those with antlers less than three inches long, may be harvested, and hunters may only use valid deer management permits or deer management assistance program tags. .
Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration
All migratory game bird hunters must register annually for HIP through DEC’s licensing system. HIP registration is required and helps state and federal biologists estimate hunter share and take of migratory game birds. HIP registration identifies active hunters who receive follow-up surveys from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Providing a valid email address during HIP registration ensures registrants can participate in opinion polls. and capture of hunters. For more information on how biologists estimate harvest, and to view harvest data for New York and the rest of North America, visit: Migratory Game Bird Harvest Survey (exit DEC website).
There are two options for registering for HIP: online at the DEC hunting license website (exit the DEC website) or through the automated phone system available by calling 1-866-933-2257. At the end of either process, you will be given a HIP registration number. Hunters of migratory game birds must wear this number while hunting.
hunt safely
During all hunting seasons, hunters must remember to follow the main rules of gun safety: assume all firearms are loaded; keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction; keep the safety on and your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot; and always be sure of your goal and what is beyond it. For more information on hunter safety, visit the DEC website; watch videos on hunter safety (leave the DEC website) and tree safety (leave the DEC website) for more tips on preventing accidents. Hunters must also be prepared to rapidly chill and process harvested game to preserve meat quality.
Hunters should also remember that several changes enacted in 2021 continue this year. Hunters and anyone accompanying them must wear a solid or patterned fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat, vest, or jacket when hunting deer or bear with a firearm. Hunting hours for deer and bear now include the entire period of ambient light from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Hunters ages 12 and 13 may hunt deer (not bear) with a firearm or crossbow when accompanied by an experienced licensed adult.