New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

NYS WATERFOWL HUNTING
A POCKET REFERENCE FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND WATERFOWL HUNTERS

New York State Environmental Conservation Law allows waterfowl hunting on Long Island and throughout New York State. The NYSDEC promotes waterfowl hunting as both a recreational sport and a valid wildlife management tool, when done safely, ethically, and in compliance with federal and nys laws, rules, and regulations.

The state of New York offers waterfowl hunters the opportunity to hunt waterfowl during the open seasons, when possessing a valid hunting license, migratory bird stamp, and hip number, and when done in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, & regulations. Questions concerning waterfowl hunting may be directed to the NYSDEC, Div. of Law Enforcement, at the L.I. office in Stony Brook at (631) 444-0250 during business hours, and at 1-877-457-5680 at all other times. The following activities associated with waterfowl hunting are authorized by the environmental conservation law:

- It is lawful for waterfowl hunters, while hunting waterfowl, to discharge their firearms from 1/2 hr. before sunrise until sunset (unless they are within the jurisdictional boundaries of a municipality, which, by local law, specifically prohibits the discharge of a firearm).
- It is lawful for waterfowl hunters to discharge a shotgun over water within 500' of a dwelling, public structure, or person, as long as that dwelling, structure, or person is not in the line of discharge.
- It is lawful for waterfowl hunters to hunt waterfowl from below the mean high water mark, unless the bottom is privately owned, and posted with a warning of trespass. Most bay and harbor bottoms are within the public domain, providing for public access.

Any person who interferes with the lawful taking of wildlife may be prosecuted pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law §l1-0110.

THE WATERFOWL HUNTER'S CODE OF ETHICS

The tradition of hunting waterfowl in America traces its origins back to the Native Americans and early American settlers who were the first to come to the continent. It is a tradition rich in folklore, history, and art. Today, hunting is a way for many law-abiding citizens to experience this tradition while enjoying the outdoors as an integral part of nature's cycle of life. Waterfowl hunting is also an important tool for managing our natural resources. To insure that hunting waterfowl remains a quality experience, New York's waterfowl hunters are encouraged to adhere to a code of ethics that they themselves have developed. These include:
* Obey all laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to hunting.
* Respect the rights of property owners and others when hunting, being especially mindful of hunting's impact upon the environment (noise, lifter, vehicular and foot traffic, etc.) PICK UP YOUR EMPTY SHELL CASINGS!
* Obey and encourage others to follow all the rules of safe handling of firearms.
* Respect their waterfowl quarry, making every effort to harvest the resource fairly and humanely.
* Make every effort to retrieve and utilize all waterfowl harvested.
* Support conservation programs that help to ensure the future management of waterfowl and the associated wetland and marine resources that support waterfowl conservation.
* Encourage other hunters, and new hunters, to adopt the skills and values needed to become ethical hunters.

Report all violations of the Environmental Conservation Law to the New York State Environmental Conservation Police.

The contents of this Pocket Reference was made possible through the joint efforts of N.Y.S.D.E.C. and the South Shore Waterfowlers Association Inc.