Wildlife Refuge accepting comments on hunting plan
BASOM – The Iroquois National Wildlife is seeking public review of its draft Hunt Plan and compatibility determinations. These documents are proposing changes to better align with New York state hunt regulations including strategies from our approved Comprehensive Conservation Plan from 2011.
The wildlife refuge includes 10,828 acres in the towns of Alabama and Shelby.
Areas Open to Hunting
• Big Game Hunting – Deer and turkey hunting are permitted throughout the refuge, except in areas that are closed to protect facilities and structures, or to create buffers around refuge trail systems. Additionally, areas adjacent to bald eagle nests are closed during the spring turkey season.
“No hunting” zones include the immediate areas around refuge headquarters, refuge residences, the vicinity of Iroquois Job Corps Center, Swallow Hollow Trail, Onondaga Trail, Kanyoo Trail, and areas around private residences, farm buildings and structures, per New York State regulations. Eagle nest closure areas are determined annually, based on nest locations and buffer zones.
• Small Game/Upland Hunting – Small/upland game hunting is permitted throughout the entire refuge, except in areas closed to protect facilities and structures or to create buffers around refuge trail systems. “No hunting” zones include the immediate area around refuge headquarters, refuge residences, the vicinity of Iroquois Job Corps Center, Swallow Hollow Trail, Onondaga Trail, Kanyoo Trail, and areas around private residences, farm buildings and structures, per state regulations.
• Waterfowl Hunting – Waterfowl hunting is permitted in Oneida, Cayuga, Mohawk West Pool, and Mohawk Northeast Pool from designated hunt markers, generally accessed on foot from associated parking areas. Mohawk South Pool is designated a free roam hunt area, with a limited number of permits distributed for that pool per day.
“No hunting” zones include all refuge areas not mentioned in the previous paragraph, as well as a buffer around Kanyoo and Headquarters Trail areas and the northern dike in Mohawk South Pool.
• All Other Migratory Bird Hunting – The hunting of other migratory game birds is permitted east of Sour Springs Road. During periods when waterfowl hunting is taking place on the refuge, other migratory game bird hunting is closed in this area, but opens up in the waterfowl hunting area for permitted hunters.
“No hunting” zones include Swallow Hollow trail, Onondaga trail, the vicinity of Iroquois Job Corps Center, and areas around private residences, farm buildings and structures, per state law.
Comments will be accepted until close of business on April 17 and may be submitted via phone at 585-948-7030, email to tom_roster@fws.gov, or postal mail to Iroquois NWR, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013.
Click here to see electronic and downloadable documents about the plan.
