Reserve for waterfowl season at Iroquois Refuge

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is accepting cards for the reserved waterfowl hunt days on the refuge. Reservations are required for opening day (Saturday, October 19), and the next Saturday, (October 26) of the state regular waterfowl season, (pending approval of the recommended waterfowl hunting season).

Send, or deliver in person, a postcard or 3 x 5 card with name, address, telephone number, Waterfowl ID Certificate number, and the two reserved days, listed in order of preference to: Iroquois NWR, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013. Only one card will be accepted per applicant. More than one entry will result in removal from the drawing. No faxes, phone applications or e-mails will be accepted. Applications must be received before the drawing which will take place on Monday, September 16 at 10 a.m. Those selected will be notified by mail. The number of permits issued will be dependent on water levels in the hunt area. Reservations are non-transferable.

Those selected must be at the Waterfowl Check Station located on Route 77 before 5 a.m. on their appointed day to select their hunt stand and obtain their permit. There is a $10 fee for the permit. For the remainder of the refuge season, which ends Saturday, November 16, hunting will be permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only, by permit. To get a permit, hunters must be at the waterfowl check station located on Route 77 by 5 a.m. to participate in a daily drawing. Permits are $10 on Saturdays and $5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Up to three hunters may share a permit and hunt stand. All hunters must have a valid NY State hunting license, valid Duck Stamp, Waterfowl Identification Certification card and Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. The refuge is closed to waterfowl hunting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Waterfowl hunting on Iroquois NWR is from legal start time until noon. All hunters must turn in their completed harvest report and present any harvested birds at the check station no later than 1 p.m.

Hunters are limited to no more than 20 shells per day, steel or approved non-toxic shot. Decoys reduce the chance of crippled birds. Hunters must provide and use a minimum of six waterfowl decoys. The refuge will be closed to waterfowl hunting during the second split. Also the refuge will be closed to waterfowl hunting during the state's Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days, which are scheduled for October 5 and 6. Instead, the refuge will have its traditional Youth Hunt Program with a special reserved youth hunt on the first Sunday of the regular season, October 20.

For information contact: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013. Or call: (585) 948-5445.