DEC Accepting Waterfowl Hunting Permit Lottery Entries for Duck Hunting Opening Weekend at Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is accepting entries for a special permit to hunt waterfowl at two popular wildlife management areas (WMAs) in Western New York. The special permit will allow duck hunting on the first Saturday and first Sunday of the Western Zone duck season at Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The WMAs are primarily in Genesee and Niagara counties, with small portions in Orleans and Erie counties.
The opening weekend waterfowl hunting permits will be distributed through a lottery. To apply, hunters need to fill out an online form for the lottery by September 15, 2026.
Western Zone duck season opening weekend is October 10 and 11, 2026. For each of the two days, DEC typically issues 100 permits for Tonawanda WMA and 50 permits for Oak Orchard WMA. Depending on WMA wetland conditions and other factors just prior to the lottery, DEC may reduce the number of permits issued.
For questions or concerns about the permit lottery or access to the online entry form, contact the DEC Iroquois Wildlife Field Office at (585) 948-5182. Anyone unable to complete the online survey should contact the office before the deadline.
The special permits are part of DEC's ongoing efforts to promote hunter safety, reduce hunter conflicts, and increase the quality of hunting on days when these areas receive the greatest use.
Please be aware that ongoing utility work is occurring along the National Grid transmission lines running through the John White and Tonawanda WMAs. Please stay out of all work areas, follow posted signs, and use caution while hunting when active construction is in progress. For questions or additional information, please contact Olivia Hill, National Grid Project Engagement, by phone at (716) 466-2007 or by email at [email protected] . For more information, please visit the project website.
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