New York
114,900
Duck Statewide Harvest
74,800
Goose Statewide Harvest
19,500
No. Waterfowl Licenses Sold Annually
7.1
Ducks Per Hunter
5.9
Geese Per Hunter
$22
Cost of Resident Waterfowl Hunting License
$25
Federal Duck Stamp
$100
Cost of Non-Resident Waterfowl Hunting License
$25
Federal Duck Stamp
When you combine loads of enthusiastic hunters with diverse waterfowl opportunities, you see some impressive numbers.
New York hunters shot more than 114,000 ducks and almost 75,000 geese in 2021-'22. The usual suspects — mallards, buffleheads, wood ducks, black ducks and green-winged teal — led the way, but Empire State waterfowlers also took good numbers of wigeon, pintails, redheads, bluebills, goldeneyes, scoters, eiders and long-tailed ducks. Honkers topped the goose category, of course, but New York hunters also shot 2,973 snows and 3,574 brant.
Various waterfowl habitats — including inland wetlands, Lake Champlain, the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River — and abundant public land give New York a solid A grade.
The state splits waterfowl seasons to allow great early-, mid- and late-season hunting. The late season often produces great sea duck action along the coast and Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, where scoters and long-tailed ducks winter and feed heavily on mussels, smelt and emerald shiners.
— Compiled and written by Brian Lovett
