A new limit on goose hunting in parts of New York has sparked backlash from hunters and lawmakers, who say the change is shutting people out of a tradition that supports families, businesses, and conservation work.
Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan says the state’s recent decision to cut the daily Canada goose bag limit from three birds to one in several Upstate zones has left longtime hunters discouraged — and sitting out the season entirely.
“This isn’t about sport, it’s about practicality,” Gallahan wrote in a column shared Monday. “It takes way too much effort to set up for a one-bird limit.”
The new regulation affects the final two hunting periods in the West Central, Northeast, and East Central zones. Gallahan says the change wasn’t explained clearly and was made without input from hunters — many of whom have worked for years on conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and wetland maintenance.
“They’re not the problem,” he said. “They’re part of the solution.”
Local impact goes beyond the blind
The drop in participation is hitting more than just the duck blinds and fields. Gallahan pointed to local diners, gas stations, and sporting goods stores that usually see a bump during hunting season — and are now seeing fewer customers.
“Outfitters, guides, and local shops that depend on the fall hunting season are already seeing the impact,” he said. “These aren’t just statistics. These are small businesses and families.”
Gallahan said he’s already sent a letter to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, urging the agency to reverse course. He called for the return of a “reasonable, science-based standard” that balances wildlife protection with the needs of rural communities.
Hunters want to be part of the process
Gallahan’s main concern isn’t just the limit itself — it’s how it was decided.
He accused the DEC of leaving hunters out of the conversation and making changes that feel arbitrary. In his words, trust is eroding between the state and the people who’ve long been its partners in conservation.
“Good wildlife management depends on collaboration, data, and trust,” he wrote. “Restrictive, unexplained limits erode that trust.”
Gallahan called on the DEC to listen — and give hunters a seat at the table before more decisions like this are made.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].