State Department of Environmental Conservation staff in Region 6 are warning duck hunters that low water levels may make some areas difficult to access this year.

“DEC Region 6 invites duck hunters to any one of its public lands to hunt, but asks hunters to take note that some areas are experiencing low waters,” the DEC said in a press release.

The Upper and Lower Lakes wildlife management area (WMA) are about one foot lower than normal due to the extreme drought conditions. The WMA is located about 2 miles west of the village of Canton along state Route 68 in St. Lawrence County.

The release also says that “water levels at Wilson Hill WMA vary depending on the pool. The West Pool and Bradford Pool are both slightly higher than last fall. The East Pool and the Nichols Pool are both being kept at nearly the same levels as last year.”

The DEC also said the new accessible hunting blind at Nichols Pool is now open.

Wilson Hill WMA is located in northern St. Lawrence County.