New York Duck Season 2023-2024: NY Duck Hunting Guide [Dates, regulations, limits & More!]

Welcome to the ultimate guide for a thrilling 2023-2024. This resource is beneficial for you if you’re an avid hunter or waterfowl enthusiast. With various areas having varied bag limits and season dates, New York provides various duck hunting options. We’ll provide you with all the pertinent information you want in this post, including the start and finish dates of the season, daily bag limits, and significant rules. Join us as we delve into the exciting duck hunting season in New York, whether you’re an experienced hunter or a novice seeking to learn more about the world of waterfowl hunting!

New York Duck Season

Duck Season

NY Duck Hunting SeasonStart DatesEnd DatesPossession LimitDaily Limit
Western Zone21-Oct-2312-Nov-23186
Northeast Zone7-Oct-2329-Oct-23186
Lake Champlain Zone 7-Oct-2311-Oct-23186
Southeast Zone21-Oct-233-Dec-23186
Long Island Zone18-Nov-2326-Nov-23186

Coots Season

NY Coots Hunting SeasonStart DatesEnd DatesPossession LimitDaily Limit
Western Zone21-Oct-2312-Nov-23186
Northeast Zone7-Oct-2329-Oct-23186
Lake Champlain Zone 7-Oct-2311-Oct-23186
Southeast Zone21-Oct-233-Dec-23186
Long Island Zone18-Nov-2326-Nov-23186

Scaup Season

NY Scaup Hunting SeasonStart DatesEnd DatesDaily Limit
Western Zone12-Dec-2331-Dec-232
Northeast Zone15-Nov-234-Dec-232
Lake Champlain Zone 9-Dec-2328-Dec-232
Southeast Zone30-Nov-233-Dec-232
9-Dec-2324-Dec-23
Long Island Zone9-Jan-2428-Jan-242

Mergansers Season

NY Mergansers Hunting SeasonStart DatesEnd DatesPossession LimitDaily Limit
Western Zone25-Nov-2331-Dec-23186
Northeast Zone4-Nov-2310-Dec-23186
Lake Champlain Zone 4-Nov-2328-Dec-23186
Southeast Zone9-Dec-2324-Dec-23186
Long Island Zone9-Dec-2328-Jan-24186

Youth Days Duck Season

NY Youth Days Duck SeasonStart DatesEnd Dates
Western Zone30-Sep-231-Oct-23
Northeast Zone23-Sep-2324-Sep-23
Lake Champlain Zone 23-Sep-2324-Sep-23
Southeast Zone23-Sep-2324-Sep-23
Long Island Zone4-Nov-235-Nov-23

Veteran and Active Military Days

NY Veteran and Active Military Duck DaysSeason Dates
Western Zone7-Oct-23
Western Zone20-Jan-23
Northeast Zone23-Sep-23
Northeast Zone24-Sep-23
Lake Champlain Zone No special season
Southeast Zone23-Sep-23
Southeast Zone24-Sep-23
Long Island Zone11-Nov-23
Long Island Zone12-Nov-23

Other related Waterfowl Season

Snow Geese Season

NY Snow Geese Hunting SeasonStart DatesEnd DatesPossession LimitDaily Limit
Western Zone1-Oct-2315-Apr-24no limit25
Northeast Zone1-Oct-2315-Apr-24no limit25
Lake Champlain Zone 1-Oct-2331-Dec-23no limit25
Southeast Zone1-Oct-2315-Apr-24no limit25
Long Island Zone25-Nov-2310-Mar-24no limit25

Canada Geese Season

NY Canada Geese Season: Northeast
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 1 - Sept 2515
Oct 28 - Dec 113
NY Canada Geese Season: West Central
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 1 - Sept 2515
Oct 28 - Nov 263
Dec 26 - Jan 93
NY Canada Geese Season: Lake Champlain
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 1 - Sept 258
Oct 14 - Nov 273
Dec 1 - Jan 65
NY Canada Geese Season: East Central
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 1 - Sept 2515
Oct 28 - Nov 173
Nov 25 - Dec 183
NY Canada Geese Season: Hudson Valley
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 1 - Sept 2515
Oct 28 - Nov 113
Dec 9 - Jan 73
NY Canada Geese Season: South
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 1 - Sept 2515
Oct 28 - Nov 175
Nov 25 - Jan 215
Long Island Canada Geese Season: Western
Season DatesDaily Limit
Oct 7 - Oct 228
Nov 18 - Nov 268
Dec 6 - Feb 218
Long Island Canada Geese Season: Central
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 5 - Sept 3015
Nov 18 - Nov 263
Dec 9 - Feb 73
Long Island Canada Geese Season: Eastern
Season DatesDaily Limit
Sept 5 - Sept 3015
Nov 18 - Nov 262
Dec 9 - Jan 282

Brant Season

NY Brant Hunting SeasonStart DatesEnd DatesPossession LimitDaily Limit
Western Zone14-Oct-2312-Nov-2331
Northeast Zone14-Oct-2312-Nov-2331
Lake Champlain Zone 14-Oct-2312-Nov-2331
Southeast Zone14-Oct-2312-Nov-2331
Long Island Zone30-Dec-2328-Jan-2431

NY Duck Hunting Regulations

  • Canada Goose Season Extension: The Northeast, West Central, East Central, Hudson Valley, and Lake Champlain zones have a 45-day Canada geese season with a 3-bird bag limit. This extends Canada goose hunting in certain areas. 
  • Mallard Bag Limit Increase: From 2 per day (maximum 1 hen) to 4 per day (maximum 2 hens). This change lets hunters take more mallards without harming breeding females.
  • Five-Year Cycle for Season Dates: In 2019, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) began using waterfowl hunter task forces, migratory statistics, and zone duck hunters to choose duck season dates. 2023-2024 concludes the first 5-year cycle. Task force input, migratory statistics, and a fresh duck hunter survey from early 2023 will establish duck season dates for 2024–29.
  • Shooting Hours: Waterfowl hunting in New York is from one-half hour before dawn to sunset, except for Canada geese in September and snow geese from January 16 to April 15.
  • Non-Toxic Shot Requirement: New York duck hunting requires a non-toxic shot. This restriction reduces lead’s influence on waterfowl and their habitats.
  • Season Zones: New York’s five waterfowl hunting zones decide season dates. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved zones assist in regulating waterfowl numbers.
  • Lake Champlain Zone: Hunting Seasons in the Lake Champlain Zone are set by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Management Board with DEC and New York and Vermont hunters’ involvement. DEC accepts comments from hunters.
  • Youth Days: 12–15-year-olds with a junior hunting license may attend special youth days in each zone. They may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers, Canada geese, and brant with the same daily bag limits as the regular season. Young hunters may join age-appropriate hunting days with a certified adult mentor.
  • Active Military and Veteran Participation: Participation by Active Military members and Veterans: According to section 101 of chapter 38 of the United States Code, waterfowl hunting is permitted for active military members and veterans. The rules and licensing requirements for migrating game birds have specific identification criteria.

NY Duck Hunting Licenses

License TypeCostWhere to Buy
Resident Adult$25 Online, by mail, or at any NYSDEC license issuing agent
Nonresident Adult$125 Online, by mail, or at any NYSDEC license issuing agent

New York duck hunters need a federal migratory bird hunting stamp (“duck stamp”). Online and NYSDEC license-issuing agents sell duck stamps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the season dates for duck hunting in New York during 2023-2024?

New York’s duck hunting season dates for 2023–2024 are as follows: The Western Zone season runs from October 21 through November 12, 2023. From October 7 to 29, 2023, the Northeast Zone plays. October 7–11, 2023, is the Lake Champlain Zone’s season. Southeast Zone season runs from October 21 until December 3, 2023. Finally, the Long Island Zone’s season runs November 18–26, 2023. Hunters must follow these zone-specific duck hunting dates. Ducks and coots have 18 possession limits and 6 daily bag limits.

How many ducks can I harvest daily during the duck hunting season?

The daily duck bag limit in New York is 6. Species-specific rules apply. Mallards are limited to 4 per day, including 2 hens. The bag limits for other duck species are 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 2 scaup (except on specific days), 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, and 4 sea ducks (with restrictions on scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks). To guarantee sustainable and responsible duck hunting, certain limitations must be observed.

Can I hunt ducks without a hunting license in New York?

No, hunting ducks without a hunting license is not allowed in New York. Waterfowl hunting, including duck hunting, requires a state hunting license. Only Native Americans hunting on reservations are exempt. This restriction may result in fines, lost hunting rights, and legal penalties. To guarantee legality, duck hunting requires a license.

Do I need additional permits or stamps for duck hunting in New York?

To hunt ducks in New York, extra licenses and stamps are required. The Harvest Information Program (HIP), which keeps tabs on the quantity of harvested ducks, requires that you first register. You have the option of registering online or by mail. A federal migratory bird hunting stamp sometimes called a duck stamp, is also needed and may be obtained at sporting goods shops or online. Residents pay $25, while non-residents pay $35. An access permit, available online or via NYSDEC license issuing agents, may be required if you want to hunt on public property. The NYSDEC may need extra permissions for certain locations. To adhere to New York’s duck hunting laws, obtaining the required licenses and stamps is crucial.

Jacob Ross

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