Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

September 18, 1998

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Joe Picchi
(518) 474-0456

STATE PARKS ANNOUNCES HUNTING SCHEDULES FOR 1998-99

Albany, New York, September 18, 1998...

New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro today announced that hunting will be permitted in specified areas in 63 of its 152 state parks for the upcoming hunting season.

Hunting regulations in state parks are developed in cooperation with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which establishes hunting seasons throughout the state. In addition to statewide hunting rules, special restrictions are in effect in state parks to protect visitors and to assure sound wildlife management. Hunters are advised to check with the state park regional office and with the local DEC wildlife management office for specific information.

All hunters must have a valid New York State hunting license and, where applicable, a federal waterfowl permit. Waterfowl hunters should note that current state regulations prohibit the use of lead shot.

In some parks, persons who are non-ambulatory unless they use a mechanized aid (wheelchair), may apply for a special permit issued by State Parks that allows hunting in parks from an all- terrain vehicle (ATV). Also required is a permit issued by the DEC for the possession of a loaded firearm in or on a motor vehicle.

Reports of rabies in deer have been rare, but hunters should be alert to the possibility of encountering a rabid racoon, fox or skunk. To reduce the risk of exposure, follow these guidelines:

• Do not approach wildlife that acts abnormally.
• Do not touch any dead animal unless you have killed it yourself. Even then, wear gloves and goggles to avoid coming in contact with its saliva, brain tissue or spinal fluids.
• Properly-cooked meat is safe to eat. For detailed instructions, contact your regional DEC wildlife office.

To obtain the rules and regulations for hunting big and small game, call any DEC office, or write: NYSDEC, 50 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12233-4790.

HUNTING SCHEDULE 1998-99

All NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) hunting regulations apply in state parks. In addition, all NYS Parks regulations apply, including restrictions and limitations on areas open for hunting.

The parks listed here permit hunting. In most cases, however, there are special restrictions. Please note these carefully and follow up by contacting the Park Manager for further details.

NOTE: All parks with an asterisk (*) preceding allow non- ambulatory persons to hunt from ATVs under specific conditions. They must have a special permit issued by State Parks to operate the vehicle in the park. NYSDEC has special requirements as well.

Call NYSDEC at (518) 457-2531 for information.

Allegany Region (716) 354-9111

Big Game - Deer

Deer - Archery: Oct.15 to Nov.15/Dec.9 to Dec.13

Deer - Shotgun: Nov.16 to Dec.8

Deer - Muzzleloading rifle: Dec.9 to Dec.15

 

Small Game

Early Goose Season: Sept.8 to Sept.25

Squirrel: Oct.1 to Feb.28

Ruffed Grouse: Oct.1 to Feb.28

Rabbit: Oct.1 to Feb.28

Turkey: Oct.20 to Nov.15

• Separate park hunting permits are required for archery deer, shotgun deer and small game.
• No Sunday hunting is allowed for any species of game.
• Small game hunting during the shotgun deer season (Nov.16 to Dec.8) is prohibited.
• The use or possession of handguns of any type or caliber is prohibited.
• Hunting at night is not permitted.
• The use of snowmobiles, ATVs or other off-the-road vehicles for hunting is prohibited.
• Allegany State Park constitutes most of Deer Management Unit (DMU) #91. Only hunters who possess a valid DMU Area 91 permit may take an additional deer. No other DMU permits are valid in this park.
• Hunting bears is prohibited.
• Hunting within 200 yards of any building, highway or other man- made structure is prohibited.
• Any shotgun transported or possessed within the park during the shotgun deer season must be plugged so that the capacity of the firearm does not exceed three (3) shells, one (1) in the chamber, and two (2) in the magazine.

Central Region (315) 492-1756

 

* Gilbert Lake

Deer, archery only; by special permit during gun season only. Permit available from Stamford office of NYSDEC.

 

* Bowman Lake

Deer, as part of Deer Management Unit. Shotgun, archery and muzzleloader during gun season only, when permitted by NYSDEC. Only a section of the park is open for hunting.

 

Hunts Pond

Deer, as part of Deer Management Unit. Other information same as Bowman Lake.

 

Oguaga Creek

Deer, as part of Deer Management Unit. Small game, open. Hunting only in specific area of park.

 

Pixley Falls

Deer, open.

 

Verona Beach

Eastern portion of park only. Deer, archery only. Small game and waterfowl. All hunting only by permit. Permit available at Utica office of NYSDEC.

Finger Lakes Region (607) 387-7041

Note: Except as stated, a valid NYS hunting license with the proper hunting stamps will serve as your hunting permit. No handguns allowed.

 

Buttermilk Falls:

Deer, archery only, registration required.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, (gun rules apply): Nov.16- Dec.8.

 

* Chimney Bluffs:

Deer, small game and waterfowl.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, (gun rules apply): Nov.16- Dec.8.

Deer, regular, gun: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Waterfowl (early): Oct.10-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (black ducks): Oct.30-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (late): Dec.26-Jan.3.

Geese: Sept.1-25.

Brant: Oct.10-Nov.28.

Snow geese: Oct.28-Jan.23 and Feb.20-Mar.10.

 

Connecticut Hill

Deer and small game: open.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15. and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply; and regular gun, Nov.16-Dec.8.

 

Fair Haven Beach (Sterling Creek)

Waterfowl (early): Oct.10-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (black ducks): Oct.30-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (late): Dec.26-Jan.3.

 

Fillmore Glen

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Muzzleloader, special season: Dec.9-15.

 

Harriet Hollister Spencer Recreation Area

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15.

Deer, regular, gun: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Deer, muzzleloader: Dec.9-15.

 

Keuka Lake

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Muzzleloader, special season: Dec.9-15.

 

Long Point

Deer, small game and waterfowl (as part of Cayuga-Tompkins Cooperative Hunting Area, special NYSDEC permits from check station in Kings Ferry required.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Deer, regular gun: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Waterfowl (early): Oct.10-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (black ducks): Oct.30-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (late): Dec.26-Jan.3.

Geese: Sept.1-25.

Brant: Oct.10-Nov.28.

Snow geese: Oct.28-Jan.23 and Feb.20-Mar.10.

 

Mark Twain

Deer, archery only, north of powerlines, registration required.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

 

Pinnacle

Shotgun hunting is not allowed during the big game season. During gun season, register at park office day of hunt.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Deer, regular, gun: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Deer, muzzleloader, Dec.9-15.

Small game: No small game hunting during regular deer season (Nov.16-Dec.8.)

Turkey, Oct.19-Nov.l5 and May 1-May 31.

 

Robert H. Treman

Deer, upper park, archery only, registration required.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

 

* Sampson

Gun. Register at park office day of hunt. Blaze orange required for regular deer season, either hat or vest or both. No night hunting.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Deer, regular, gun: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Muzzleloader: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Muzzleloader, special season: Dec.9-15.

Waterfowl (black duck): Oct.30-Nov.29.

Waterfowl (late): Dec.26-Jan.3.

Small game, Dec.17-end of season.

 

Stony Brook

Deer, archery only.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

 

Taughannock Falls

Deer, archery only.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

 

Watkins Glen:

Deer, archery only.

Deer, archery, special season: Oct.15-Nov.15 and Dec.9-13.

Deer, archery, during gun season, gun rules apply: Nov.16-Dec.8.

Genesee Region (716) 493-3600

* Letchworth

All hunting by permit only. Hours, sunrise to sunset. Letchworth State Park is in Wildlife Management Unit 8M. Archery season for deer:

East - Oct.19-Nov.15; Dec.9-13.

West - Oct.26-Nov.15; Dec.9-13.

Shotgun:

East and west: Nov.16-Dec.8. Only holders of a permit for Deer Management Unit 8M may hunt on the west side.

Muzzleloader:

East side only: Dec.9-15. East side permit is good for muzzleloading.

Turkey:

Spring only. We will set dates after NYS Department of Environmental Conservation announces season.

Obtain permits in person or write NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Genesee Region, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427. Permits will be issued starting September 21, 1998. Gate fees are in effect until Oct.25.

 

Silver Lake

Deer and small game, open. Starting in 1999, permit will be required.

 

* Lakeside Beach

Waterfowl only. Lakeshore area, western section of park only, west of paved parking lot.

 

* Darien Lakes

Deer and small game, by permit. No hunting of any kind between April 1 and Labor Day. No trapping or target practice. To obtain permit, write Darien Lakes State Park, 10289 Harlow Rd., Darien Center, NY 14040; or call (716) 547-9481.

Long Island Region (516) 669-1000

* Montauk Point and Hither Hills

Small game: Dec.1-Feb.26. No small game hunting with firearms at Montauk Point on Saturdays and Sundays.

Big game, archery: Nov.1-Dec.31. firearms: Jan.4-22, weekdays only.

 

Napeague

Small game: Sept.15 through April 15.

Big game, archery only: Nov.1-Dec.31.

Waterfowl: Oct.1 through the last day of waterfowl season.

Permit and deer hunting information may be obtained from the regional office of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. (516) 444-0273.

Niagara Frontier Region (716) 278-1770

No big game hunting is allowed in Niagara Frontier Region State Parks.

Pheasant and Small Game:

Oct.19 to Nov.15

Waterfowl:

Oct.10 to Nov.29

Dec.26 to Jan.3

Small game and waterfowl hunting are allowed at:

 

* Wilson Tuscarora, * Golden Hill and * Joseph Davis.

Small game: Park small game permit required on Oct.19 and Oct.24 and available by lottery at Regional Operations Office.

Waterfowl: Park permit required. Permits are available by lottery at Fort Niagara State Park office.

 

* Evangola

Pheasant and small game only. No permit required.

The following state parks allow only waterfowl hunting. A waterfowl identification course is required to hunt waterfowl in these parks. Park permit required. Permits are available by lottery at Beaver Island State Park office:

 

* Beaver Island West River Parkway Strawberry Island and Motor Island.

* Fort Niagara

Permit available by lottery at Fort Niagara Park office.

Palisades Region (914) 786-2701

Storm King

Deer - open. Restricted areas are posted.

 

Minnewaska

Deer. All of the park north of routes 44 and 55, and in a portion south of routes 44 and 55.

 

Lake Superior

Deer - open. Turkey - open. Restricted areas are posted.

 

Sterling Forest

Turkey, big game, small game - bow only: Oct.15- Oct.31.

Turkey, big game, small game in season - firearms and bow: Nov.1- Dec.31. Permit available by lottery at park office.

Saratoga/Capital District Region (518) 584-2000

Mine Kill, Schoharie County. Deer, archery only, limited area.
Special permit is required.
Ronald Janneck, Park Manager
Mine Kill State Park
Box 923
North Blenheim, NY 12131
(518) 827-6111

Grafton Lakes, Rensselaer County. Deer and small game, limited area south of Rte.2, north and east of Long Pond Rd.
Thomas Conklin, Park Manager
Grafton Lakes State Park
Box 163
Grafton, NY 12082-0163
(518) 279-1155

Cherry Plain, Rensselaer County. Deer and small game, limited area. (Same manager, address and phone as above.)

Moreau Lake, Saratoga County. Deer only, northern zone, limited area.
Constance Hyatt, Park Manager
Moreau Lake State Park
605 Old Saratoga Rd.
Gansevoort, NY 12831
(518) 793-0511

Schodack Island, Rensselaer County, also known as Castleton Island. Deer and small game. This undeveloped park can be accessed legally only by boat or with permission from the adjoining private landowner. There is no publicly-owned overland access to the park.

Hudson River Islands, Columbia County, also known as Gay's Point and Stockport- Middleground Island. Waterfowl and deer. This undeveloped park can be accessed legally only by boat. There is no publicly-owned overland access.

Please be aware that others may be using the park for non- hunting activities at the same time you are in the woods. Use extreme caution.

If you have a successful hunt, please advise a park employee of your take. Your cooperation will help us assess our wildlife resources and manage them better.

Taconic Region (914) 889-4100

Taconic

Deer - Except in areas designated "No Hunting," deer hunting is allowed during the season and in the manner prescribed by Department of Environmental Conservation Law and rules and regulations. No park hunting permit is required.

 

* Lake Taghkanic

Deer, archery only. No permit required.

Turkey, archery only, Oct.15-Nov.15. Park permit required; no charge.

 

Hudson Highlands

Deer, archery only. Permit required.

 

Clarence Fahnestock

Deer, archery only. Permit required.

Note: All seasons identical to those established by NYSDEC for deer hunting in the Southern Zone.

 

Clarence Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands

Spring turkey hunt May 1-15, 1998, on weekdays only from 1/2 hour prior to sunrise until 10:00 am. By permit only. Obtain permit from Park Manager, Clarence Fahnestock State Park, (914) 225-7207.

Thousand Islands Region (315) 482-2593

Big Game - Deer

Deer - Archery Wellesley Island by special NYS DEC Permit

Sept.27-Dec.6

Muzzleloading Rifle

Dec.7-Dec.13

Deer- Archery Higley Flow-South of Cold Brook drive.

Oct.1-Oct.23

Muzzleloader

Whetstone Gulf-Above Gulf.

Oct.17-Oct.23

Jacques Cartier-SE side of Rte.12

Shotgun or Long Gun

Coles Creek-Designated zone, south side Rte.37.

Small Game

Waterfowl - Oct.3-Nov.15 Whetstone Gulf

Nov.21-Dec.6 Long Point

 

Burnham Point

Cedar Island

Canoe-Picnic Point

 

Croil Island

Oct.13-Nov.15 Kring Point

Nov.21-Dec.6 Cedar Point

Jacques Cartier

 

Wellesley Island

Coles Creek

Waterfowl hunters must have special permit issued by NYSDEC.