New York Duck license: What License do You Need to Hunt Duck in New York?

Quick Answer, Licenses and Permits You Need

• New York State hunting license, required for all hunters

• Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly called the federal duck stamp, required at age sixteen and older, carry the signed stamp or the valid temporary e stamp certificate

• HIP registration, the Harvest Information Program, required each license year for anyone hunting migratory game birds, including ducks, geese, brant, coots, woodcock, snipe, and rails

Youth note. Hunters ages twelve to fifteen need a valid junior hunting license and a current HIP registration, the federal duck stamp is not required until the hunter turns sixteen.

Waterfowl Zones and Season Structure

New York sets duck seasons by five waterfowl zones: Western, Southeastern, Northeastern, Lake Champlain, and Long Island. Dates, splits, and bag limits are updated annually, so hunters should always check the current season notice for their zone. Note there’s also a Special Sea Duck Area designation in coastal waters (separate from the five zones) that can have distinct rules.

Shooting Hours

For ducks, geese, brant, and coots, legal shooting hours are from one half hour before sunrise to sunset, unless a specific season notice says otherwise. Scouting with a watch, then confirming sunrise and sunset for your exact location, helps you stay compliant.

Bag Limits and Possession

Daily and possession limits for ducks vary by species and by year. Some species have stricter limits, for example scaup or black duck. Because limits change annually, confirm the current daily limit, the species-specific sublimits, and the possession limit before each trip. Bag limits are listed in the NYSDEC hunting regulations. 

Legal Methods and Required Equipment

• Non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting, use steel, bismuth, or other approved non-toxic shot, never use lead

• Shotgun must be plugged to a maximum capacity of three shells, one in the chamber and two in the magazine

• You may hunt waterfowl with a shotgun, including semiautomatic models that meet the three-shell rule

• You may not hunt waterfowl with a rifle, a pistol that fires single projectiles, or a crossbow

• Electronic calls are prohibited for ducks, geese, and brant, spring snow goose conservation orders may differ, review the current notice before participating

• You may not hunt over bait or a baited area, and you may not place bait to attract waterfowl

• Motorized decoys and spinning wings are generally allowed in New York, however local or area specific restrictions may apply on certain public lands, check site rules

• Boats, layout blinds, and jump shooting are legal methods when conducted within season dates, hours, and all safety rules, navigation and boating laws still apply

NYS Hunter Education

All first time hunters must complete hunter education before purchasing a New York hunting license. 

Hunter safety courses are offered online and in-person. If you plan to attend and in-person classs, sign up early because they fill up fast. Online courses offer the convenience of taking the class online, on your own schedule.

Read More: New York Online Hunter Education

Special Opportunity Days

New York offers youth waterfowl hunting days in each zone before or during the regular season dates. Many years also include veteran and active military waterfowl days. These dates change annually by zone, confirm the specific weekend and rules for your area.

Public Lands, Access, and Local Permits

New York’s Wildlife Management Areas, state forests, and selected federal or local properties provide excellent waterfowl access. Some popular areas use reservations, drawings, or day of check station systems. Always review site specific rules, launch regulations, and any required access permits before you go.

Field Tagging and Harvest Reporting

Federal law requires that migratory birds remain identifiable while in transit. Leave a fully feathered head or wing attached until you reach your home or a place for final preparation. New York does not require HIP harvest reports for ducks after the hunt, however HIP enrollment depends on your prior season activity, answer the HIP survey questions accurately when you register each year.

Safety Notes for Waterfowl Hunters

Wear a personal flotation device when hunting from boats or layout blinds, cold water immersion is a serious risk. Keep muzzles pointed in a safe direction at all times, unload before entering or exiting a boat or blind, and confirm your target and what lies beyond, especially at first light. Use eye and ear protection, and communicate clearly with your partners before calling the shot.

How to Buy Your License, Stamp, and HIP

Purchase your New York hunting license online, by phone, or from license agents. During checkout, complete the HIP registration for the current license year. Hunters sixteen and older must also buy the federal duck stamp, you may purchase an e stamp that provides immediate temporary proof, then sign and carry the physical stamp when it arrives.

Read More: How to get a Hunting License in New York

Compliance Checklist

• I completed hunter education if I am a first-time hunter/license buyer

• I have a valid New York hunting license for the current license year

• I registered for HIP for this license year

• If I am sixteen or older, I purchased and signed my federal duck stamp or hold a valid e stamp certificate

• I verified my zone, season dates, and bag limits for ducks and any other species I plan to hunt

• My shotgun is plugged to three shells and I carry only non toxic shot

• I checked site-specific rules for the public or private lands I will hunt

• I reviewed sunrise and sunset for my hunt location to follow legal hours

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to hunt duck in New York
You need a New York State hunting license, HIP registration, and if you are sixteen or older, the federal duck stamp.

What license do I need to hunt waterfowl in New York
The requirements are the same, a New York hunting license, HIP registration, and for hunters sixteen and older, the federal duck stamp.

Do junior hunters need the federal duck stamp
No, the stamp becomes mandatory on the hunter’s sixteenth birthday. Junior hunters must have a junior hunting license and HIP.

Can I use lead shot for ducks
No, only non toxic shot is legal for waterfowl.

How many shells can my shotgun hold
For migratory bird hunting, your shotgun must be limited to three shells in total.

Are electronic calls allowed for ducks
No, electronic calls are not allowed for ducks, geese, or brant during regular seasons.

Where can I find the dates and limits for my zone
Check the current New York waterfowl season notice for your specific zone, Western, Southeastern, Northeastern, Lake Champlain, or Long Island, then confirm daily limits and any species specific rules for the year.