Hunting Waterfowl: With 256 miles of shoreline on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, about 150 ponds, lakes and many miles of rivers and streams, it is easy to see why Jefferson County is one of the Atlantic Flyway’s largest migrating waterfowl staging areas. The region offers prime waterfowling in a variety of settings. The bulk occurs on the inland swamps, marshes and ponds for mallards, wood ducks, black ducks and teal. The second half of the season produces good wing shooting for both puddle ducks and divers. Diving ducks show in numbers around the beginning of November, when prime hunting is out on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Divers that cross our skies include canvasbacks, redheads, goldeneyes, ringnecks, buffleheads and most common, broadbills or bluebills. Upland Birds: Thousands of acres of private and public land make for fantastic upland bird hunting opportunities. Ruffed grouse or partridge, a native upland bird species, are abundant in the region. The state has long stocked public land with pheasants for the fall season.
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Deer: Whitetail deer herds in the “North Country” remain strong. Most hunting in the county is on private land, but several New York State Wildlife Management Areas provide good opportunities for a trophy buck. Check the DEC website at www.dec. ny.gov/outdoor/43850.html Turkey and Small Game: Vast acres of public and private woodlands and fields are prime for calling-in a tom turkey in May. Hunters can also pursue the keeneyed wild birds in the fall. Cotton-tail rabbits, snowshoe hares and gray squirrels are fair game in the fall and winter. Ontario: North of the border, game includes whitetail deer, moose, black bear, turkey, waterfowl/migratory birds and small game such as fox, beaver, squirrel and rabbit. Go on-line to www.mnr.gov.on.ca to view the current Hunting Regulations Summary publication for current fees, guidelines and regulations for hunting by residents and non-residents, as well as locations and usage of Wildlife Management Units & Areas (WMUs & WMAs), Crown Game Preserves and Provincial Parks.