Across Upstate New York, hunting is more than a pastime, it’s a way of life. It’s a deep-rooted tradition that brings families together, supports conservation and fuels our small-town economies. But this year, many local goose hunters are hanging up their calls and decoys, not because they’ve lost interest but because Albany has once again ignored common sense.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has slashed the daily bag limit for Canada geese from three birds to just one in the final two hunting periods across the West Central, Northeast and East Central zones. That drastic change has frustrated hunters across my district and for good reason.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve heard from countless experienced hunters, many with decades of field experience, who’ve decided not to hunt at all this season. As one told me, “It takes way too much effort to set up for a one-bird limit.” These are responsible, conservation-minded individuals who have spent years supporting wildlife management and habitat preservation. They deserve to be heard.

The one-goose limit hasn’t just dampened enthusiasm, it’s crippled participation altogether. And when hunters stop going out, our rural communities feel it. Fewer hunters mean fewer customers at our diners, gas stations and sporting goods stores. Outfitters, guides and local shops that depend on the fall hunting season are already seeing the impact. These aren’t just statistics, they’re small businesses and families in towns across my district.

What’s even more concerning is how this decision was made. The DEC’s lack of transparency and consultation has alienated the very people who have long been partners in conservation. The men and women who spend their mornings in the marsh and their evenings maintaining blinds and wetlands are not the problem, they’re part of the solution. Yet, their voices were left out of the discussion.

Good wildlife management depends on collaboration, data and trust. Restrictive, unexplained limits erode that trust. New York’s hunters have earned a seat at the table when policies that affect them, and their livelihoods, are decided.

I’ve sent a letter to both the commissioner and regional director of the DEC calling on them to reconsider this one-goose limit and restore a reasonable, science-based standard that protects the resource while keeping our hunting heritage alive. Let’s bring hunters, conservationists and local leaders together to make sure these decisions are grounded in both biology and reality.

Upstate New Yorkers know how to take care of our land and wildlife, we just need Albany to listen.

Sincerely,
Jeff Gallahan 
Member of Assembly
131st District