Its diversified outdoor opportunities attract approximately 700,000 residents and over 50,000 nonresidents. The NYDEC hunting schedule is outlined below:
Diverse Opportunities:
- With extensive opportunities for big and small game, game birds, and furbearers, the state offers a diverse and attractive landscape for hunters.
Wildlife Highlights:
- The hunting season in New York typically spans from the first week of October to the last Sunday in January, varying based on waterfowl zones.
- Hunters can explore the state’s vast public lands, home to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and black bears.
Resources and Junior Hunter Initiatives:
- New York recently enacted limitations on semi-automatic rifles, guns, and ammunition possession.
- The state promotes safe and youth hunts, including services such as DECinfo Locator for trip planning, license buying, and classes.
New York Hunting Season
🦌 Big Game Seasons
White-Tailed Deer
| Zone | Season Type | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone | Early Bowhunting | Sept 27 – Oct 24, Dec 8 – Dec 14 | Select WMUs only |
| Regular Firearms | Oct 25 – Dec 7 | ||
| Muzzleloader | Oct 18 – Oct 24, Dec 8 – Dec 14 | Select WMUs only | |
| Youth Firearms (12-15) | Oct 11 – Oct 13 | ||
| Southern Zone | Early Antlerless | Sept 13 – Sept 21 | Select WMUs only |
| Archery | Oct 1 – Nov 14, Dec 8 – Dec 16, Dec 26 – Jan 1 | ||
| Regular Firearms | Nov 15 – Dec 7 | ||
| Muzzleloader | Dec 8 – Dec 16, Dec 26 – Jan 1 | ||
| Special Areas | Westchester (WMU 3S) | Oct 1 – Dec 31 | Bow only |
| Suffolk (WMU 1C) | Oct 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | Bow only |
🐻 Black Bear
| Zone | Season Type | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone | Early Season | Sept 13 – Sept 21 | Yellow-shaded areas |
| Archery | Sept 13 – Oct 24 | Orange-shaded areas | |
| Regular Season | Oct 25 – Dec 7 | ||
| Muzzleloader | Oct 18 – Oct 24 | ||
| Southern Zone | Early Firearms | Sept 6 – Sept 21 | Green-shaded areas |
| Archery | Oct 1 – Nov 14, Dec 8 – Dec 16 | ||
| Regular Season | Nov 15 – Dec 7 | ||
| Muzzleloader | Dec 8 – Dec 16 | ||
| Westchester | Bow Only | Oct 1 – Dec 31 |
🦃 Turkey Seasons
| Season Type | Dates | Hours | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Gobbler | May (TBD) | ½ hr before sunrise – noon | 1 bearded bird/day |
| Fall Season | Varies by zone | Sunrise – sunset | 1 (either sex) |
| Youth Season | Dates TBD (12-15) | Same as general season | 1 bearded bird |
🦊 Furbearer & Small Game Seasons
Coyote & Other Furbearers
| Species | Dates | Hours | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Oct 1 – Mar 29 | 24/7 | Unlimited |
| Raccoon, Fox, etc. | Oct 25 – Feb 15 | 24/7 (weasel: sunrise-sunset) | Unlimited |
| Bobcat | Dec 1 – Feb 15 (North), Dec 15 – Feb 15 (South) | – | 1 daily (tag required) |
Upland Birds & Small Game
| Species | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffed Grouse | Sept 15 – Feb 28 (North), Oct 1 – Feb 28 (South) | 4 daily |
| Pheasant | Oct 1 – Feb 28 | 2 roosters daily |
| Rabbit | Oct 1 – Feb 28 | 4 daily |
| Squirrel | Sept 1 – Feb 28 | 6 daily (gray/fox/black) |
🦆 Migratory Birds & Waterfowl
Ducks, Geese & Other Birds
| Species | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Oct 1 – Nov 14 | 3 daily |
| Crow | Sept 1 – Mar 31 | Unlimited (Fri-Mon only) |
| Snow Geese | Oct 3 – Apr 15 | 25 daily |
| Canada Goose | Varies by zone | 1-15 daily (zone-based) |
Youth & Special Hunts
| Event | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Waterfowl | Sept 27-28, Nov 8-9 (LI) | Must be accompanied |
| Military/Veteran | Select dates | Check DEC regulations |
WMU MAP
Lottery Entries Open for Duck Opening Weekend at Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas 2023
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Type | Waterfowl Hunting Permit Lottery for Duck Hunting Opening Weekend |
| Hunting Areas | Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Tonawanda WMA |
| Hunting Dates | October 21 and 22, 2023 (first Saturday and Sunday of Western Zone duck season) |
| Application Deadline | 15-Sep-23 |
| Permit Distribution | Random lottery |
| Permits Issued | • Oak Orchard WMA: 50 permits • Tonawanda WMA: 100 permits |
| Location of WMAs | Primarily in Genesee and Niagara counties, with small portions in Orleans and Erie counties |
| Permit Purpose | Promote hunter safety, reduce conflicts, and enhance hunting quality during high-use days |
| Contact | DEC Iroquois Wildlife Field Office: (585) 948-5182 |
| Alternate Application | If unable to complete online survey, contact the office before Sept. 15 deadline |
| Form to Apply for the lottery | Apply Here |
Big Game Youth Hunt:
From October 8-10, it hosts its annual Youth Big Game Hunt, welcoming young hunters aged 12-15 from around the state (except for Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas). Depending on the county’s regulations, youth as young as 12 or 13 may use a rifle to shoot deer in the upstate New York area. Youth hunters of any age are permitted to kill one deer of either gender and one bear if they are 14 or 15. Three tags may be used on antlerless deer: regular, DMP, and Deer Management Assistance Program.
Youth Big Game Rules
| Youth Big Game Hunt Rules | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Hunters | 12 to 15-year-old hunters (statewide, with the exception of Suffolk and Westchester counties and regions where bowhunting is only permitted) |
| Hunt Accompaniment | When hunting large game with a rifle, licensed 12- to 15-year-olds must be accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult. |
| Bag Limits | All junior hunters who qualify may take one deer of either sex and one bear at the ages of 14 and 15. |
| Tagging | A normal season tag, a tag from the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), or a tag from the Deer Management Permit (DMP) may be used to tag antlerless deer that were shot during the youth hunt. Only the normal season tag may be used to tag antlerless deer. |
| Additional Rules | On pages 36 and 37 of the Hunting and Trapping Guide, as well as via the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program, are rules for young hunters and the adults who will serve as their mentors. |
My Perspective on Hunting Opportunities in New York
As an avid hunter who has tracked game across fields and forests for over 10 years, I’ve enjoyed the challenge of hunting in New York. The diversity of habitats and variety of game species offer exciting possibilities each season. Below I’ll share location-specific tips, challenges to be aware of, and reasons why I keep coming back.
Western New York Offers Prime Whitetail Deer
Western NY is a hunter’s paradise, especially for those pursuing whitetail deer. The mix of agricultural land and dense forests provides ideal habitat. I’ve had most success finding trophy bucks in the following areas:
- Allegany State Park – The park has strict limits on the number of hunters allowed each season, making tags highly coveted. But with over 500 square miles almost entirely forested, the chances of an encounter with a giant make obtaining a permit worth the effort. I connected with a 170 class 12-pointer at dawn opening weekend a few years back.
- Fort Drum Military Base – Many don’t realize the base contains some of the best preserved forests in the region thanks to minimal development. Hunters lucky enough to gain access strictly through proper lottery application face no competition once on base. I missed a shot on a 140 class 10-point buck two seasons ago that still has me thinking about going back.
See the table below for other notable WNY locations and my comments:
| Location | Terrain | Game Variety | Additional Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattaraugus Territory | Mix of meadows & forest | Deer, turkey | Requires Seneca Nation permit |
| Allegheny National Forest | Hills & valleys | Deer, grouse | Higher elevation Makes tracking difficult |
| State Game Lands | Abandoned farmland | Deer, rabbit | Great for small game hunting |
Southern Zone Waterfowl Opens Options
While known for deer, New York also offers tremendous migratory bird hunting for those willing to brave leaf-bare forests and brisk marshes. I spend most falls in the state’s Southern Zone targeting ducks and geese on waters of the Lower Hudson Valley and Lake Ontario.
The secret is scouting flooding agricultural fields ahead of days where snow melt and rainfall first starts pooling. Being the first set up as birds migrate through ensures daily limits. Just be prepared to contend with thick mud surrounding makeshift blinds. My best success has come in Niagara County near lake shore tributaries, with clusters of 200+ bird days common early season.
Pursuing Elusive Eastern Turkeys
Come spring, my attention turns to the challenge of turkey hunting across Central and Eastern NY. With their exceptional eyesight and hearing, scouting and setting up properly is critical for success.
I’ve had most luck locating responsive breeding toms in territories with a mix of mature forests and openings. Reliable spots include state game lands in Chautauqua, Schuyler, and Tioga counties, though patterning daily movements takes persistence.
Nothing quite matches the excitement of having a fully fanned out tom strut into shotgun range after an hour calling and waiting. It’s a feeling that keeps me returning each spring with renewed motivation despite the long hours.
With insight and advance preparation, New York truly offers tremendous hunting. Feel free to reach out for more specifics based on my years of experience. Just be ready for challenging conditions and willing to put in the work required for an ethical harvest. But the reward of full freezers and trophy mounts back home makes all the effort worth it in my opinion. Now get out there this season and create your own memories!
NY Hunting Guides 2023
Contacts
| NYS Department | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Sporting License Sales | 1-866-933-2257 |
| Sporting License Office | 518-402-8843 or fw.information@dec.ny.gov |
| Hunter Education | 1-888-HuntEd2 (1-888-486-8332) or Hunter@dec.ny.gov |
| Wildlife: Hunting on Long Island Information | 631-444-0310 or wildlife.r1 |
| Bureau of Wildlife | 518-402-8883 or wildlife@dec.ny.gov |
| Special Licenses | 518-402-8985 or SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov |
Dates & Schedule Source:
FAQ
When does hunting season start in New York?
It typically kicks off with early bow hunting at the end of September. This is followed by the crossbow season, and then the regular hunting season, which begins in mid-October.
What day does rifle season start in NY?
The Northern Zone begins deer rifle season on November 12, 2023, and the Southern Zone on November 18, 2023. Bear rifle season is from September 23 to October 14, 2023, in Northern Zone Deer Management Units 11K, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H, 12I, 12J, 13. Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 begin deer and bear rifle seasons on November 18, 2023. Region 6 begins deer rifle season on November 25, 2023, while Regions 7 and 8 begin on November 20. Deer and bear rifle seasons begin in Region 9 on November 27 and 11, 2023.
When is bow season in New York?
Deer bow season begins on October 15, 2023, and ends on November 7, 2023. Region 1 in Northern Zone begins on October 15, 2023, and ends on November 11, 2023 and in Southern Zone from October 1, 2023 till November 7, 2023. In Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 his from October 1 to November 7, 2023, while the statewide bear bow season is September 1 to October 14, 2023.
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