2018-2019 Waterfowl Season Dates; National Archery in the Schools Program

DEC Announces 2018-2019 Waterfowl Season Dates; NASP Eastern National Tournament Results

DEC Announces 2018-2019 Waterfowl Season Dates

A complete list of season dates and bag limits for each zone can be found on the DEC website.The waterfowl hunter task force rationale can be found at Duck Season Dates.

Hunters interested in printing the pocket guide can find it at  2018-2019 Waterfowl Season Pocket Guide (PDF). Hard copies will be available from the Regional Offices or by e-mailing wildlife@dec.ny.gov later this summer.

Season setting for the 2019-20 season and beyond

Deciding on the “best” or the “right” waterfowl season dates is a difficult task that has been a contentiously debated topic since regulated duck seasons began in the 1900s.To provide guidance for this challenging task, DEC began a two-year effort to expand on the current hunter task force process. The modified season-selection process will directly incorporate the opinions and values of a representative sample of duck hunters and will use the most comprehensive migration data available. Last fall, DEC and Cornell University worked with the Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces to develop a survey that was sent out to over one-third of the registered duck hunters in New York State. The goal of the survey was to identify how hunters defined a high-quality duck hunting experience (i.e., what makes the “best duck season”). The survey avoided asking “what days do you want to hunt” and instead focused on what hunters value in their hunting experience. DEC can use this information along with migration data specific to each waterfowl zone and evaluate how well various season dates match hunters’ values and migration chronology. 

Results of the hunter survey are currently being analyzed by Cornell University and are expected later this fall. The next step in the decision-making process will occur later this summer when DEC meets with the Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces in each zone to establish a list of possible season date alternatives.The last step in the process will occur this fall when DEC and Cornell University evaluate the tradeoffs and consequences of each season alternative to identify the optimal season based on hunters’ values and migration data (see Cornell Lab of Ornithology "STEM" Models for more on migration data). More information on the season setting process, results of the 2017 Duck Hunter Survey, and proposed future duck season dates for 2019-2023 (barring any changes to the federal regulations framework) will be posted on the DEC website during late fall 2018.              

STEM Model of American Black Duck Abundance During the week of December 12th (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2018)

 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

New York archers can be proud of its representation at the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Eastern National Tournament, held on May 10th-12th in Louisville, Kentucky. The competition included 14,139 archers from 35 states around the country. There were 60 students representing 12 different schools from New York who competed in the NASP Eastern Nationals Bullseye competition.

Paul Fabozzi, from St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School had the highest score out of the New York archers with a 292 out of a possible 300. Fabozzi also ranked 14th out of all 10th grade boys, 44th within the boys high school division, and 52nd out of all 7,450 male archers.  Jonathon Pecora, also from St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, had the next highest score from New York with a 289 out of 300. Pecora was ranked 22nd in the 11th grade boys category, and ranked 110th out of the overall boys rank. Shayne Webster, from Norwich City School, who shot a 277, had the highest score for the middle schoolers competing from New York. Webster ranked 331st out of 2,917 in the middle school boys division.The highest scoring elementary student from New York was Morgan Gilbert from Canaseraga Central School. Gilbert scored a 274, ranking her 33rd out of all 5th grade girls, and 41st for the girl’s elementary division. Competing as a team, St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, New York’s number one ranked high school team, placed 47th out of 237 in the high school division. 

To qualify for the NASP National Competition, archers had to attend a school that participates in NASP, compete in the New York State Tournament, and place in the top 10 of their division, elementary (grades 4-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12). NASP state and national tournaments are held annually as culminating competition events for students who participate in the program. For more information and results, please view the NASP National press release.