The tentative schedule for many of New York’s 2012-13 migratory game bird hunting seasons is now available.

Tentative season dates for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe and rails can be found on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28503.html, allowing sportsmen and sportswomen to plan outdoor activities well in advance.

In the DEC's northeast zone, the season for ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers runs from Oct. 6 to 14 and Oct. 27 to Dec. 16.

The snow goose season is from Oct. 1 to April 15.

Brants can be hunted from Oct. 6 to Nov. 24.

Canada geese can be taken from Sept. 1 to Sept. 25 (eight per day) and Oct. 27 to Dec. 10 (3 per day).

Those dates and bag limits are subject to confirmation from federal authorities.

The final season dates, bag limits and other regulations for 2012-13 migratory game bird hunting seasons in New York will be posted on DEC’s website and announced by a statewide news release, once they are approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters should confirm the final season dates before going afield.

The tentative season dates were developed by a team of DEC staff representing all regions of the state, taking into consideration anticipated federal regulations for the coming year and recommendations from Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces established by DEC for each zone.

Copies of the 2012-13 migratory game bird hunting regulations brochure will be available on the DEC website in late August and by mid-September wherever hunting licenses are sold.

For more information about hunting waterfowl or other migratory game birds in New York, visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28175.html.