Press release:
As part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold two waterfowl hunter informational meetings. One of these will be in Genesee County.
It will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters located on Casey Road in Alabama. It will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and focus on topics of interest to waterfowl hunters in Western New York and the Iroquois and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuges areas.
Topics will include:
- Highlights of waterfowl management and research programs at two National Wildlife Refuges, Iroquois and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; and four of the state Wildlife Management Areas -- Tonawanda, Braddock Bay, Oak Orchard and Northern Montezuma.
- Regional and statewide waterfowl news and updates;
- Atlantic Flyway news;
- Waterfowl population status survey results;
- New York waterfowl hunting season-setting process; and tentative 2014-15 duck and goose hunting seasons.
Wildlife biologists from DEC and the two National Wildlife Refuges will discuss items of interest to waterfowl hunters in an informational and interactive forum.
They will present results of local and international surveys of waterfowl breeding populations and discuss habitat conditions and habitat management efforts. Updates of waterfowl management issues in the Atlantic Flyway will be presented, and this year’s tentative waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits will be discussed.
The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.
In support of this initiative, this year’s budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State.
This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders.
Directions to Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge at 1101 Casey Road, in Basom:
From the New York State Thruway, take Exit 48A (Pembroke) and travel north on Route 77 to Alabama Center. Continue north on Route 63 for approximately 1 mile, turn left on Casey Road. The office is about a mile down the road on the right.
