State Parks announce Grand Island waterfowl blind drawings

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced lottery drawings for waterfowl hunting season have been scheduled at Beaver Island State Park.

Duck season will run from Oct. 21 through Dec. 31. (first half: Oct. 21-Nov. 12; second half: Nov. 25-Dec. 31); goose season will run from Oct. 28 through Jan. 21, 2024; and waterfowl youth days are Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The youth hunt will be call-in on Sept. 26.

All blinds will be issued with in-person draws at Beaver Island State Park. Visit the website for draw sheet information, under the “HUNTING” tab.

The first draw will be held inside the main doors of the Falconwood (old casino), and the remainder of the first half draws will be at the park office. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with draws at 6 p.m.

Hunters must show proof of the waterfowl ID course to participate in the draws at the door. They also must have a valid New York state small game hunting license with a signed duck stamp and proof of registration in the harvest information program (HIP).

Blinds No. 33 is no longer available. Golf course blind A and B will be available after the course is closed for the season (around Election Day).

State Parks will include three ADA blinds, which are handicap accessible. Blind No. 31 is located within Beaver Island State Park, and blinds 41 and 42 are located on East River Road at Spicer Creek Wildlife Management Area (north of the cemetery).

Waterfowl hunting is restricted to the wooden universal blind structure.

For more information, call the park office at 716-773-3271 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.