RJ
08-29-2007, 05:50 PM
NYPA AND DEC PROVIDE EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES TO HUNT
WILSON HILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Area to Be Open for Hunting Access All Weekends During Waterfowl Seasons
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that they will expand the number of hunting days the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Town of Louisville in St. Lawrence County to all the available weekends during the 2007 waterfowl seasons.
It had been previously announced hunting would be limited to only four weekends under an earlier construction schedule at Wilson Hill WMA (set to start this month) . However* in light of public interest* NYPA and its contractor reviewed plans for construction and determined no weekend construction would occur this fall. Now* waterfowl hunting in the area has been expanded to all weekends this fall* including the Early Canada Goose Season (Sept. 1-25)* Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days (Sept. 22-23) and the Northeastern Zone Waterfowl Hunting Season (Oct .6-14* Oct. 27-Dec.13* 2007).
DEC Regional Wildlife Manager William H. Gordon said* “The added days will be welcomed by hunters from across the state who enjoy the quality waterfowl hunting an area like Wilson Hill has to offer.”
“We are glad our revised plans allow us to offer expanded hunting opportunities this year while still allowing for the construction work planned for this fall.” said NYPA’s John Suloway* Executive Director* Licensing* Implementation and Compliance Division.
Opportunities to hunt upland game species* such as ring-necked pheasant* will also be expanded to include all weekends that occur during the open waterfowl season. Archery deer hunters will also benefit from a change that expands the portion of the area open to their use. The northeast portion of the area known as “Zone A”* and now an additional section of the Wilson Hill WMA* located on the southwest corner of the area* will be open to bowhunting.
Hunters should also note that access is prohibited in all areas where active construction or equipment storage is evident or identified by flagging or signs.
The construction of several projects* designed to help improve the ecological habitat of Wilson Hill WMA* is a benefit of the relicensing of NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and is scheduled to take place for three years.
Specific regulations regarding the limitations and special conditions for hunting at Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area during 2007 are as follows:
• Waterfowl and small game hunting on the portion of the area posted WETLANDS-RESTRICTED* will be permitted by daily permit on WEEKENDS ONLY.
• During the SPECIAL EARLY GOOSE* and the YOUTH WATERFOWL SEASONS hunters must sign in at the registration box at the permit station. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on weekend days only. Hunters may enter the area 1 hour before legal hunting hours and leave the area by 1 hour after sunset.
• During the NORTHEASTERN ZONE WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASON* hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on Saturdays and from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on Sundays. Hunters must check out or leave the area by 2:00 P.M. on Saturdays and 1 hour after sunset on Sundays.
• ARCHERY HUNTING will be allowed in ZONE A and in the portion of the WETLANDS-RESTRICTED AREA located south of the Bradford Pool and west of the West Pool. Archers must register at the permit station no earlier than one hour before legal hunting hours each day of any hunting season and may enter the area after registration. Archers must leave the area one hour after sunset. The above areas will be open for archery hunting the entire scheduled Big Game season.
• SMALL GAME HUNTING will occur on the same dates as the Waterfowl Season. Small game hunting hours will start at sunrise and end at the same times as waterfowl on Saturdays and Sundays. Hunters must register at the permit station no earlier than one hour before legal hunting hours.
Hunters using the Wilson Hill WMA are reminded that it is their responsibility to know and abide by all area* statewide* and in the case of migratory waterfowl hunting* federal regulations. Rules and regulations are available at the Wilson Hill waterfowl permit station and the Bureau of Wildlife offices in Potsdam and Watertown during normal business hours.
Wilson Hill WMA is located in northern St. Lawrence County* approximately six miles west of the village of Massena* off state Route 37. Situated along the St. Lawrence River* the 3*434-acre area consists of several large pools of open water marsh* bordered by a combination of dense cattails* brushy wetlands* forest* and upland meadow.
WILSON HILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Area to Be Open for Hunting Access All Weekends During Waterfowl Seasons
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that they will expand the number of hunting days the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Town of Louisville in St. Lawrence County to all the available weekends during the 2007 waterfowl seasons.
It had been previously announced hunting would be limited to only four weekends under an earlier construction schedule at Wilson Hill WMA (set to start this month) . However* in light of public interest* NYPA and its contractor reviewed plans for construction and determined no weekend construction would occur this fall. Now* waterfowl hunting in the area has been expanded to all weekends this fall* including the Early Canada Goose Season (Sept. 1-25)* Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days (Sept. 22-23) and the Northeastern Zone Waterfowl Hunting Season (Oct .6-14* Oct. 27-Dec.13* 2007).
DEC Regional Wildlife Manager William H. Gordon said* “The added days will be welcomed by hunters from across the state who enjoy the quality waterfowl hunting an area like Wilson Hill has to offer.”
“We are glad our revised plans allow us to offer expanded hunting opportunities this year while still allowing for the construction work planned for this fall.” said NYPA’s John Suloway* Executive Director* Licensing* Implementation and Compliance Division.
Opportunities to hunt upland game species* such as ring-necked pheasant* will also be expanded to include all weekends that occur during the open waterfowl season. Archery deer hunters will also benefit from a change that expands the portion of the area open to their use. The northeast portion of the area known as “Zone A”* and now an additional section of the Wilson Hill WMA* located on the southwest corner of the area* will be open to bowhunting.
Hunters should also note that access is prohibited in all areas where active construction or equipment storage is evident or identified by flagging or signs.
The construction of several projects* designed to help improve the ecological habitat of Wilson Hill WMA* is a benefit of the relicensing of NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and is scheduled to take place for three years.
Specific regulations regarding the limitations and special conditions for hunting at Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area during 2007 are as follows:
• Waterfowl and small game hunting on the portion of the area posted WETLANDS-RESTRICTED* will be permitted by daily permit on WEEKENDS ONLY.
• During the SPECIAL EARLY GOOSE* and the YOUTH WATERFOWL SEASONS hunters must sign in at the registration box at the permit station. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on weekend days only. Hunters may enter the area 1 hour before legal hunting hours and leave the area by 1 hour after sunset.
• During the NORTHEASTERN ZONE WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASON* hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on Saturdays and from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on Sundays. Hunters must check out or leave the area by 2:00 P.M. on Saturdays and 1 hour after sunset on Sundays.
• ARCHERY HUNTING will be allowed in ZONE A and in the portion of the WETLANDS-RESTRICTED AREA located south of the Bradford Pool and west of the West Pool. Archers must register at the permit station no earlier than one hour before legal hunting hours each day of any hunting season and may enter the area after registration. Archers must leave the area one hour after sunset. The above areas will be open for archery hunting the entire scheduled Big Game season.
• SMALL GAME HUNTING will occur on the same dates as the Waterfowl Season. Small game hunting hours will start at sunrise and end at the same times as waterfowl on Saturdays and Sundays. Hunters must register at the permit station no earlier than one hour before legal hunting hours.
Hunters using the Wilson Hill WMA are reminded that it is their responsibility to know and abide by all area* statewide* and in the case of migratory waterfowl hunting* federal regulations. Rules and regulations are available at the Wilson Hill waterfowl permit station and the Bureau of Wildlife offices in Potsdam and Watertown during normal business hours.
Wilson Hill WMA is located in northern St. Lawrence County* approximately six miles west of the village of Massena* off state Route 37. Situated along the St. Lawrence River* the 3*434-acre area consists of several large pools of open water marsh* bordered by a combination of dense cattails* brushy wetlands* forest* and upland meadow.