Hunting has long been an important tradition in upstate New York, connecting families and supporting local economies. This year, however, some hunters are opting out of the season due to a recent change by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
The DEC reduced the daily bag limit for Canada geese from three birds to one in the final two hunting periods across the West Central, Northeast, and East Central zones. Many hunters in Assembly Member Jeff Gallahan’s district have expressed frustration with this new rule.
Gallahan said he has received feedback from experienced hunters who are choosing not to participate this season. One hunter told him, “It takes way too much effort to set up for a one-bird limit.” Gallahan noted that these individuals have supported wildlife management and habitat preservation over many years.
He emphasized that the reduced limit is affecting more than just individual enthusiasm for hunting; it is having an economic impact on rural communities. Local businesses such as diners, gas stations, sporting goods stores, outfitters, and guides are already seeing fewer customers as participation drops during the fall hunting season.
Gallahan also criticized how the decision was made by state officials. He stated that there was a lack of transparency and consultation with hunters who have historically contributed to conservation efforts. According to Gallahan: “The men and women who spend their mornings in the marsh and their evenings maintaining blinds and wetlands are not the problem, they’re part of the solution. Yet, their voices were left out of the discussion.”
He called for more collaboration between policymakers and those affected by such regulations. “Good wildlife management depends on collaboration, data and trust. Restrictive, unexplained limits erode that trust,” he said.
Gallahan reported that he has written to both the commissioner and regional director of DEC urging them to reconsider the one-goose limit. He advocated for restoring what he described as a reasonable standard based on science while protecting both natural resources and hunting traditions.
“Let’s bring hunters, conservationists and local leaders together to make sure these decisions are grounded in both biology and reality,” Gallahan wrote.
He concluded by stressing that upstate residents understand how to care for land and wildlife but need state officials to listen.
