Duck ID test in NY

[TCShooter]

Can anyone tell me how many ducks you need to be able to identify to pass this test.  I'm assuming you can't get a duck stamp in New York state without taking the test am I correct?

Thanks,      Mario

[RCL]

Yes, you can get a migratory bird hunting stamp in NY without taking a class. However, there are some areas (WMA's maybe?) where you need the class to be able to hunt on them.

[TCShooter]

Thanks RCL.  I am going to try my hand at goose hunting in a couple weeks and someone said something about taking a duck ID test.  
 
It'll be my first time out for waterfoul and I can't wait!
 
Thanks again,    Mario  

[Huntyeraws]

 You don't need to pass a test to get a duck stamp.  However, you will need to sign the Federal duck stamp across the face in ink as well as have a NYS HIP number in addition to a NYS smallgame or sportsman's license to hunt waterfol in NY state.  

HOWEVER....

NYSDEC has an optional  free program that is called "Waterfowl Hunter Education".  It is a minimum of 3 hrs long.  My waterfowl club, Lake Plains Waterfowl Association, was instrumental in starting the program many years back.  I am a certified instructor.  If you attend the course and pass the exam at the end of the program, you will receive a certificate which is required on certain WMA's,  State Parks and Iroquois and Montezuma NWR's in Western NY in order to waterfowl hunt.  Our course runs 4 hours in length and we have one of the highest passing rates in the state.  This year, we held a total of 5 courses in addition to a youth course this coming weekend.  I recommend this course to all NYS waterfowlers as the course covers identification of restricted species, bag limits, regulations, waterfowling ethics, boating and gun safety and ballistics.  It is to your benefit and to the resource to take this course.

[TCShooter]

Huntyeraws,  
Thanks for the info on the waterfowl course, it sounds interesting....I'll have to check into course locations in my area for next year.