State Parks announce waterfowl blind drawings

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

Beaver Island State Park and West River Parkway

Duck season will run from Oct. 12 through Jan. 12, 2025. (first half, Oct. 12-Nov. 3) (second half, Nov. 7- Jan. 12, 2025). Goose season will run from Oct. 26 through Jan. 19, and “Waterfowl Youth Days” are Sept. 28-29. Youth hunt will be call-in on Sept. 23.

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 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).

Golf Course blind A & B will be available after the course is closed for the season (around Election Day in November).

State Parks will be including three ADA blinds, which are handicap-accessible. Blind No. 31 is located within Beaver Island State Park, while blinds No. 41 and No. 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 only.

For further information, call the Park Office at 716-773-3271 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Fort Niagara, Joseph Davis, Wilson Tuscarora and Golden Hill State parks

Draws for all of the above parks will be held at the Fort Niagara State Park Maintenance Building. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the drawing at 6:30 p.m. sharp on the following Wednesdays: Sept. 25; Oct. 2-30; Nov. 6-27; Dec. 4-18; Thursday, Dec. 26; Jan. 2-15, 2025.

To be eligible to participate in the lottery drawings, hunters must have at least a current New York state small game license, a federal migratory bird stamp, a HIP number, and must have successfully completed the state waterfowl identification course. All documentation must be presented at drawings. A dog or boat for retrievals is also required.

For more information, call 716-745-7273.