Special permits will be issued for the opening weekend of duck season, allowing people to hunt waterfowl at two popular state-managed locations. The permit requirement applies to waterfowl hunting at the Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas located primarily in Genesee and Niagara counties. The intent of the special permits is to promote hunter safety and increase the quality of hunting on days when the areas receive the greatest use, according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
The special permit is required to hunt waterfowl at Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas on the duck season’s first Saturday and first Sunday. These days are the only times the special permits are needed; waterfowl may be hunted without a special permit at these locations during the rest of the season. The permit system has been used successfully at both wildlife management areas in recent years. Special permits are not required to hunt other game species at Oak Orchard or Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas.
Opening weekend waterfowl hunting permits for the two Wildlife Management Areas will be distributed by a random lottery. For each of the two days, DEC will issue 100 permits for Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area and 50 permits for Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area. Hunters must choose from four options: Oak Orchard first Saturday; Oak Orchard first Sunday; Tonawanda first Saturday; and Tonawanda first Sunday.
DEC also announced tentative 2013-2014 duck hunting season dates. Western New York’s tentative opening day/weekend dates for duck hunting are October 26 and 27. These dates will not be finalized until the federal regulations are adopted in late summer. This year goose season will be open during the opening weekend of duck season, and goose hunters are also required to obtain the special permit. Hunters are advised to confirm the final dates before hunting any waterfowl.
To apply for the special permit lottery, hunters must send in a postcard with their name, address and their first three choices, in order of preference, clearly indicated. Applicants must also have completed a Waterfowl Identification Course, and their course certificate number must be indicated on the postcard. Applications will be accepted through September 15, and must be mailed to the New York State Bureau of Wildlife, 1101 Casey Road, Box B, Basom, New York 14013. Each permittee will be allowed to bring one companion over the age of 18 and an additional companion 18 years old or younger. For information, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8369.html.
