DEC Waterfowler pocket reference

RichFiglia

RichFiglia

Member
Figured id post this up for NYS waterfowl hunters. If you call the number they will send it free. It clears up some of the gray areas. Its waterproof and fits in license holder

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Hey Rich,

I don't hunt NY but in reading the pocket card, it says "it is lawful to discharge a firearm within 500' of a dwelling, so long as in a safe direction". My question is is there a minimum distance required or could you hypothetically be 50' from a house and shoot, so long as you are shooting away from the house and over water? Again, just curious?

Maine is a 100yds regardless whether you are deer hunting or duck hunting.


Thanks Troy
 
500' is the minimum distance for discharging a gun while hunting in NY. An exception is when waterfowl hunting over water, where there is no minimum distance, however you must be shooting in a safe direction. Obviously if you are on private property you need the permission of the landowner, but you do not need permission from the neighbors, even if their houses are, say, 30 feet apart. This situation can get sticky if you are hunting on the lakes around here where there is camp upon camp along the shore, and a neighbor doesn't like you hunting there. But you are within the law.
 
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I guess that's where ethics come in. I have picked up and moved when asked, even though I was entitled to hunt in a spot. Some say we shouldn't let folks push us around like that. But I can't see any good coming from getting someone even more upset.

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You are right and thanks for explaining it a little more. I can only imagine some of the arguements that have come over that exception to the 500' standard.
 
You are right and thanks for explaining it a little more. I can only imagine some of the arguements that have come over that exception to the 500' standard.
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Some cops dont even know the exception.So yes it does lead to some interesting arguments Troy
 
Many villages and cities have a no-discharge rule. Local rules and enforcement vary around the state. Not all of these no-discharge rules extend into the open water (as in hunting out of a boat - not on shore).

Around here I look at a map to see if the village line extends into the lake. It seems that the municipalities with lines extending across the water are also the ones that won't let you discharge period (even from a boat). However your safest bet would be to check with the municipality in question, a conservation officer, or other local law enforcement.
 
Does anybody know where to find a listing of the municipalities which have local laws prohibiting discharge of firearms?
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Call your local DEC officer and he will give you an updated listing.
 
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