Woman dressed warmly in camouflage and standing in marsh reeds aims a shotgun into the air

More than 100,000 ducks use Chautauqua NWR each fall, which means waterfowl hunters may see a lot of birds. The refuge is open to hunting in the Liverpool Lake area, which is accessed only by boat. While wading the refuge hunting area is possible in places, using a dog makes retrieving birds safer and easier. There can be good hunts for puddle duck species, and the area receives light hunting pressure. It is also one of the few public areas in the state that does not require a special permit or lottery drawing.

All migratory bird hunting on the refuge closes in accordance with published State waterfowl seasons.  Refuge hunting is not open for the conservation order light goose season. Please see regulations and maps for more details.