Drought will impact waterfowl hunt

Drought will impact waterfowl hunt

Officials from the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Genesee and Orleans Counties said that due to the drought, the refuge will have a reduced number of waterfowl hunting areas available this season. Refuge staff will monitor conditions as the season progresses and open additional hunt areas if circumstances allow. Hunters are welcome to phone the refuge to inquire about current hunting conditions.

The refuge holds a pre-season drawing to select the hunters who will be guaranteed permits on opening day and the first two Saturdays. The number of hunters selected for the three reserved day hunts was reduced to about half the average number of hunt areas, because of drought conditions. On the reserved hunt days any additional areas opened from improvement in habitat conditions will be filled through a stand-by drawing. The stand-by drawing will be open to any hunter present, and possessing all license requirements, after the pre-season selected hunters have chosen their hunt areas.

For information call refuge staff at 585-948-5445.