Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons & Bag Limits

a - The daily limit of 6 ducks includes all mergansers and sea ducks (scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks) and may include no harlequin ducks and no more than 4 mallards (2 of which may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 scaup (2 scaup are allowed during the 20 days specified above for each zone), 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, or 4 sea ducks (including no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders and no more than 1 female eider). For all other duck species found in New York, the daily limit is no more than 6.

b - Cackling geese and white-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily and possession limits. Snow geese and Ross' geese may be taken as part of the snow goose limits.

* - Youth Days are additional days for Junior Hunters only. Young hunters, 12–15 years of age, possessing a junior hunting license may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers, Canada geese, and brant on 2 special days in each zone. Daily bag limits for all species are the same as those allowed during the regular season for all species (excludes September Canada goose bag limits). Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed (including current HIP registration and duck stamp) adult hunter. The licensed adult hunter serving as a mentor to a junior hunter participating in the special youth migratory game bird hunt days may not carry a firearm, longbow, or crossbow afield. The prohibition does not apply to other hunters in the party who are not mentoring the youth.

** - Any person who meets the definition of active military or veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) can participate. A list of identification requirements can be found in the migratory game bird regulations and license requirements (dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/migratory-game-bird/regulations). Federal regulations require Lake Champlain zones to have the same dates in both Vermont and New York; Vermont does not offer special military days, thus no dates can be selected. Daily bag limits for all species during the military hunting days are the same as those allowed during the regular season for all species (excludes September Canada goose bag limits).

*** - Crippled sea ducks may be taken under power in the Special Sea Duck area only. The Special Sea Duck Area is defined as the coastal waters of New York State and all waters of streams and rivers seaward from the first upstream bridge.

**** - Snow goose seasons include both the regular hunting season and the Conservation Order that runs from Jan. 16–Apr. 15 in all zones (except Long Island).

1 - Upstate New York includes all of New York State north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary

2 - Long Island includes all of WMUs 1A and 1C (Nassau and Suffolk counties)

3 - Hunting season closed in New York City for all species listed in table; New York City includes all of WMU 2A (Bronx, Kings, Queens, New York, and Richmond counties)