Welcome to the highly awaited New York Hunting Seasons 2023-2024, when hunters around the state await amazing outdoor activities. New York has ample wildlife in its extensive woods and gorgeous rivers. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a newbie eager to enjoy the thrill of the chase, the 2023 hunting season offers many chances to connect with nature, test your abilities, and make memories.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation hunting seasons are thrilling. With early bear, Canada goose, and deer hunting seasons already underway, it’s the perfect time to delve into the essential hunting guide for the New York 2023 season. This guide includes start and end dates, bag limits, regulations, and vital hunting information. Let’s check into it!
New York Hunting Season
What are the dates for hunting season in NY 2023-2024?
Last 10 days of Northern Zone bow season (Oct 11 - Oct 20)
Last 14 days of Southern Zone bow season (Nov 4 - Nov 17)
Youth Big Game Hunt
Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend, Oct 7-9
NY Hunting Season by Game Species
NY Deer Season 2023-2024
The New York deer hunting seasons for 2023–2024 comprise an antlerless-only season in mid-September, a standard season for guns, crossbows, and vertical bows, a late bow season, a muzzleloading season, and a Suffolk County special weapons season.
Early Antlerless Deer Season
Early Antlerless Deer Area
Dates
Eligible Methods
Northern Zone
NA
Southern Zone
Sept. 9 - 17
Firearms, bows, crossbow
WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A,
8F, 8G, 8J, 8N,
9A, 9F
WMUs 4J, 8C
Bowhunting only
Westchester County
Sept. 9 - 17
Bowhunting only
(WMU 3S)
Suffolk County
Sept. 9 - 17
Bowhunting only
(WMU 1C)
Regular Deer Season
Regular Deer Season Area
Dates
Eligible WMUs
Northern Zone
Oct. 21 - Dec. 3
Southern Zone
Nov. 18 - Dec. 10
Westchester County
Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
WMU 3S (bowhunting only)
Suffolk County
Oct. 1, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024
WMU 1C (bowhunting only)
Bow hunting Deer Season
Bowhunting Deer Area
Dates
Eligible WMUs
Northern Zone
Sept. 27 - Oct. 20
Dec. 4 - Dec. 10
WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only
Southern Zone
Oct. 1 - Nov. 17
Dec. 11 - Dec. 19
Dec. 26 - Jan. 1
Westchester County
Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
WMU 3S (bowhunting only)
Suffolk County
Oct. 1, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024
WMU 1C (bowhunting only)
Crossbow Deer Season
Crossbow Deer Area
Dates
Eligible WMUs
Northern Zone
Oct. 11 - Oct. 20
Southern Zone
Nov. 4 - Nov. 17
Not in WMUs 4J or 8C
Westchester County
NA
WMU 3S
Suffolk County
NA
WMU 1C
Muzzleloading Deer Season
Muzzleloading Deer Area
Dates
Eligible WMUs
Northern Zone
Oct. 14 - Oct. 20
Dec. 4 - Dec. 10
WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only
Southern Zone
Dec. 12 - Dec. 20
Except bowhunting only WMUs 4J and 8C
Dec. 26 - Jan. 1
Except bowhunting only WMUs 4J and 8C
Westchester County
WMU 3S
Suffolk County
WMU 1C
Bear Season
Area
Dates
Shaded Portions
Early Bear Season
Northern Zone
Yellow and Brown
Southern Zone
Orange
Green
Sept. 9 - Sept. 24
Westchester County
Light Blue
Bear Bowhunting Season
Area
Dates
Shaded Portions
Northern Zone
Yellow and Brown
Sept. 16 - Oct. 20
Southern Zone
Orange
Oct. 1 - Nov. 17
Dec. 11 - Dec. 19
Green
Oct. 1 - Nov. 17
Dec. 11 - Dec. 19
Westchester County
Same as Regular Season
Bear Crossbow Season
Area
Dates
Shaded Portions
Northern Zone
Yellow and Brown
Oct. 12 - Oct. 21
Southern Zone
Orange
Nov. 4 - Nov. 17
(Not in WMUs 3S, 4J or 8C)
Green
Nov. 4 - Nov. 17
Westchester County
Light Blue
Regular Bear Season
Area
Dates
Shaded Portions
Northern Zone
Yellow and Brown
Sept. 17 - Dec. 4
Southern Zone
Orange
Nov. 18 - Dec. 10
Green
Nov. 18 - Dec. 10
Westchester County
Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
(Bowhunting only, Light Blue)
Bear Muzzleloading Season
Area
Dates
Shaded Portions
Northern Zone
Yellow and Brown
Oct. 15 - Oct. 21
Southern Zone
Orange
Dec. 11 - Dec. 19
Green
Dec. 11 - Dec. 19
Westchester County
Light Blue
NY Bear Season Map
Turkey Season
Spring Turkey Hunt
Hunt Type
Start Date
End Date
Spring Turkey Hunt
1-May
31-May
Youth Turkey Hunt
Hunt Type
Start Date
End Date
Youth Turkey Hunt
22-Apr
23-Apr
Fall Turkey Hunt
Hunt Type
Start Date
End Date
Fall Turkey Hunt
1-Oct
14-Oct
15-Oct
28-Oct
19-Nov
2-Dec
Area 1A & 2A
Area
Status
1A
Closed
2A
Closed
Ruffed Grouse Season
NY Ruffed Grouse Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Ruffed Grouse (North Zone)
20-Sep-23
29-Feb-24
A bag limit of 4 per day.
Ruffed Grouse (South Zone)
1-Oct-23
29-Feb-24
A bag limit of 4 per day.
Pheasant Season
NY Pheasant Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Regular Season
21-Oct-23
31-Dec-23
Bag limit of 2
Regular Season
21-Oct-23
1-Feb-24
Bag limit of 2
Regular Season
1-Oct-23
1-Feb-24
Bag limit of 2
Regular Season
1-Nov-23
31-Dec-23
Bag limit of 4
Regular Season
1-Nov-23
31-Dec-23
Bag limit of 4
Youth Hunt Season
14-Oct-23
15-Oct-23
Bag limit of 2
Youth Hunt Season
14-Oct-23
15-Oct-23
Bag limit of 2
Youth Hunt Season
23-Sep-23
24-Sep-23
Bag limit of 2
Youth Hunt Season
28-Oct-23
29-Oct-23
Bag limit of 4 and Possession Limit of 30
Youth Hunt Season
28-Oct-23
29-Oct-23
Bag limit of 4 and Possession Limit of 30
Quail Season
New York Quail Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Bobwhite Quail (Early)
1-Oct-23
29-Feb-24
A bag limit of 4 per day. Orange and Putnam Counties.
Bobwhite Quail (Late)
1-Nov-23
31-Dec-23
A bag limit of 6 per day. Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
NY Migratory Bird Season
Woodcock Season
Woodcock Area
Dates
Bag Limit
Upstate NY (1,3)
Oct. 1 - Nov. 14
3 per day
Long Island (2,3)
Oct. 1 - Nov. 14
3 per day
Woodcock Regulations:
HIP Registration Not Required
Shooting Hours Sunrise to Sunset
Non-Toxic Shot not required
Fed Migratory Bird Stamp NOT Required
Crow Seasons
NY Crow Area
Dates
Bag Limit
Upstate NY (1,3)
Sept. 1 - Mar. 31
None
Long Island (2,3)
Sept. 1 - Mar. 31
None
Crow Regulations:
HIP Registration Not Required
Shooting Hours Sunrise to Sunset
Non-Toxic Shot not required
Fed Migratory Bird Stamp NOT Required
Hunting on Fri., Sat., Sun. & Mon. ONLY;
Rifles and amplified calls permitted
Snipe Season
NY Snipe Area
Dates
Bag Limit
Upstate NY (1,3)
Sept. 1 - Nov. 9
8 per day
Long Island (2,3)
Closed
N/A
Snipe Regulations
HIP Registration Required
Shooting Hours: 1/2-Hr Before Sunrise to Sunset
Non-Toxic Shot required
Fed Migratory Bird Stamp NOT Required
Virginia & Sora Rails Season
NY Virginia & Sora Rails Area
Dates
Bag Limit
Upstate NY (1,3)
Sept. 1 - Nov. 9
8 per day
Long Island (2,3)
Closed
N/A
Virginia & Sora Rails Regulations
HIP Registration Required
Shooting Hours: 1/2-Hr Before Sunrise to Sunset
Non-Toxic Shot required
Fed Migratory Bird Stamp NOT Required
Gallinules Season
NY Gallinules Area
Dates
Bag Limit
Upstate NY (1,3)
Sept. 1 - Nov. 9
8 per day
Long Island (2,3)
Closed
N/A
Gallinules Regulations
HIP Registration Required
Shooting Hours: 1/2-Hr Before Sunrise to Sunset
Non-Toxic Shot required
Fed Migratory Bird Stamp NOT Required
Clapper & King Rails Season
NY Clapper & King Rails Area
Dates
Bag Limit
Upstate NY (1,3)
Closed
N/A
Long Island (2,3)
Closed
N/A
New York Waterfowl Hunting
Regular Waterfowl Season
NY Waterfowl Hunting
Season Dates
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Ducks
Species
Ducks
6
18
Western
Oct. 21 - Nov. 12
6
18
Northeast
Oct. 7 - Oct. 29
6
18
Lake Champlain
Oct. 7 - Oct. 11
6
18
Southeast
Oct. 21 - Dec. 3
6
18
Long Island
Nov. 18 - Nov. 26
6
18
Coots
Species
Coots
15
45
Western
Oct. 21 - Nov. 12
15
45
Northeast
Oct. 7 - Oct. 29
15
45
Lake Champlain
Oct. 7 - Oct. 11
15
45
Southeast
Oct. 21 - Dec. 3
15
45
Long Island
Nov. 18 - Nov. 26
15
45
Mergansers
Species
Mergansers
6
18
Western
Nov. 25 - Dec. 31
6
18
Northeast
Nov. 4 - Dec. 10
6
18
Lake Champlain
Nov. 4 - Dec. 28
6
18
Southeast
Dec. 9 - Dec. 24
6
18
Long Island
Dec. 9 - Jan. 28
6
18
Scaup (2 bird daily bag limit)
Species
Scaup
Western
Dec. 12 - Dec. 31
Northeast
Nov. 15 - Dec. 4
Lake Champlain
Dec. 9 - Dec. 28
Southeast
Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, Dec. 9-24
Long Island
Jan. 9 - Jan. 28
Snow Geese
Species
Snow Geese
25
no limit
Western
Oct. 1 - Apr. 15
25
no limit
Northeast
Oct. 1 - Apr. 15
25
no limit
Lake Champlain
Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
25
no limit
Southeast
Oct. 1 - Apr. 15
25
no limit
Long Island
Nov. 25 - Mar. 10
25
no limit
Brant
Species
Brant
1
3
Western
Oct. 14 - Nov. 12
1
3
Northeast
Oct. 14 - Nov. 12
1
3
Lake Champlain
Oct. 14 - Nov. 12
1
3
Southeast
Oct. 14 - Nov. 12
1
3
Long Island
Dec. 30 - Jan. 28
1
3
Youth Days
Species
Ducks
Western
Sept 30 & Oct. 1
Northeast
Sept. 23 & 24
Lake Champlain
Sept. 23 & 24
Southeast
Sept. 23 & 24
Long Island
Nov. 4 & Nov. 5
Veteran and Active Military Days
Species
Ducks
Western
Oct. 7 & Jan. 20
Northeast
Sept. 23 & 24
Lake Champlain
No special season
Southeast
Sept. 23 & 24
Long Island
Nov. 11 & Nov. 12
Note:
Youth Days provide enhanced hunting chances for youth hunters 12–15 with a junior hunting license. Young hunters may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers, Canada geese, and brant in each zone. Youth Days have the same daily bag restrictions for these species as the regular season. However, the September Canada goose bag limitations do not apply. A licensed adult hunter with a HIP registration and duck stamp for safety and instruction must accompany young hunters. The mentor cannot carry a rifle, longbow, or crossbow when hunting. However, hunters who are not mentoring the young are not restricted.
New York allows six ducks daily, including mergansers and sea ducks like scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks. Certain species are restricted. Hunters cannot take harlequin ducks, and within the daily limit of 6, they can take no more than 4 mallards (2 of which can be hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 scaup (except during the specified 20-day period mentioned in the season’s table where 2 may be taken), 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, or 4 sea ducks (with no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders, or 3 long-tailed ducks). The 3 eiders can only have one hen. The daily limit for other New York duck species is 6.
Canada Geese Season
NY Canada Geese Season
Season Dates
Daily Limit
Northeast
Sept 1 - Sept 25
15
Oct 28 - Dec 11
3
West Central
Sept 1 - Sept 25
15
Oct 28 - Nov 26
3
Dec 26 - Jan 9
3
Lake Champlain
Sept 1 - Sept 25
8
Oct 14 - Nov 27
3
Dec 1 - Jan 6
5
East Central
Sept 1- Sept 25
15
Oct 28 - Nov 17
3
Nov 25 - Dec 18
3
Hudson Valley
Sept 1 - Sept 25
15
Oct 28 - Nov 11
3
Dec 9 - Jan 7
3
South
Sept 1 - Sept 25
15
Oct 28 - Nov 17
5
Nov 25-Jan 21
5
Long Island Canada Geese Season
Long Island Canada Geese Season
Season Dates
Daily Limit
Western
Oct 7 - Oct 22
8
Nov 18 - Nov 26
8
Dec 6 - Feb 21
8
Central
Sept 5 Sept 30
15
Nov 18 - Nov 26
3
Dec 9 - Feb 7
3
Eastern
Sept 5 - Sept 30
15
Nov 18-Nov 26
2
Dec 9-Jan 28
2
Squirrel Season
NY Squirrel Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Limits
Gray, Black & Fox Squirrel
1-Sep-23
29-Feb-24
6
Gray, Black & Fox Squirrel
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
6
Rabbit Season
New York Rabbit Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Rabbit (Cottontail)
1-Oct-23
17-Mar-24
6 bag limit
Rabbit (Cottontail)
1-Oct-23
29-Feb-24
6 bag limit
Rabbit (Cottontail)
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
6 bag limit
Varying Hare Rabbit Hunting
1-Oct-23
17-Mar-24
6 bag limit
Varying Hare Rabbit Hunting
1-Jan-24
31-Jan-24
2 bag limit
Varying Hare Rabbit Hunting
11-Dec-23
29-Feb-24
2 bag limit
NY Furbearer Hunting Season
Fox Season
NY Fox Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Limit
Red & Gray
1-Nov-23
25-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
Red & Gray
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
Bobcat Season
New York Bobcat Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Bobcat-2
25-Oct
18-Nov
There is no limit. (Select units)
Bobcat-1
25-Oct
15-Feb
There is no limit. (Select units)
Coyote Season
New York Coyote Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Coyote
1-Oct
26-Mar
(Statewide) There is no limit.
Raccoon Season
Species
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Limit
Raccoon
1-Nov-23
25-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
Raccoon
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
Skunk Season
Species
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Limit
Skunk
1-Nov-23
25-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
Opossum & Weasel Season
Species
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Limit
Opossum & Weasel
1-Nov-23
25-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
No Bag Limit
NY Furbearer Trapping Season
NY Furbearer Trapping Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Raccoon, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Skunk, Coyote Opossum & Weasel
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
There is no bag limit
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
There is no bag limit
1-Nov-23
25-Feb-24
There is no bag limit
Mink & Muskrat Trapping Season
1-Nov-23
15-Apr-24
There is no bag limit
10-Nov-23
15-Feb-24
There is no bag limit
10-Nov-23
7-Apr-24
There is no bag limit
`
15-Dec-23
25-Feb-24
Fisher & Marten
1-Nov-23
30-Nov-23
A bag limit of 6 Marten and no bag limit for Fisher
25-Oct-23
30-Oct-23
Fisher only and no bag limits
25-Oct-23
10-Dec-23
Fisher only and no bag limits
Bobcat
25-Oct-23
15-Feb-24
There is no bag limit
25-Oct-23
18-Nov-23
There is no bag limit
Beaver
1-Nov-23
7-Apr-24
There is no bag limit
10-Nov-23
7-Apr-24
There is no bag limit
River Otter
10-Nov-23
7-Apr-24
There is no bag limit
10-Nov-23
28-Feb-24
There is no bag limit
New York Hunting Seasons and Dates Timeline
Lottery Entries Open for Duck Hunting 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)
From October 8-10, New York 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 season, DMP, and Deer Management Assistance Program.
Youth Big Game Hunting 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.
New York State’s 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Licenses Now Available for Purchase!
Deer Management Permit (DMP) Application Deadline
Deer Management Permit
Deadline
Application Deadline
October 1
WMU Selection
Prior to application, hunters should be knowledgeable of the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) they want to hunt in.
NY Hunting and Trapping Licenses 2023-2024
New York 2023-24 hunting and trapping season
Details
Licenses and Permits On Sale
NY Deer Management Permits (DMPs) and hunting and trapping licenses for 2023-24
Purchase Options
Online, at license-issuing agents, or by phone
License Validity
Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from September 1 to August 31, whereas fishing licenses are good for 365 days.
Supporting Conservation
License purchases fund DEC conservation efforts and preserve New York's fish and wildlife.
Habitat & Access Stamp
Consider purchasing a $5 Habitat & Access Stamp to support habitat conservation and access improvements
The DEC Call Center is open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. (Mon-Fri) and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Saturdays till Nov. 30). Phone orders for hunting permits may take 14 business days.
Requirements for Purchase
Contact information, DEC customer ID (if applicable), proof of residence, a valid credit card for online/phone payments, and hunter/trapper education or license are required for purchase.
Deer Management Permits (DMPs)
DMPs (antlerless deer tags) available in stores, via phone, and online until Oct. 1. Randomly selected. The DEC website has details.
Education for New Hunters and Trappers
Mandatory for first-time hunters to take classes before buying a license. In-person and online classes. DEC's website includes study resources and registration details.
Online Courses
NY citizens may take online hunter and bowhunter courses for $24.95 and $30, respectively. Hunting rights are granted upon passing. Details DEC's site
Bowhunter Education Course
Online certification available for bowhunters and access to Online Courses at https://www.bowhunter-ed.com/newyork/
Junior Hunters and Trappers
Junior hunters (12-15) and trappers (12+) may participate in DEC youth hunts and mentorship programs. Website opportunities and information from DEC.
HuntFishNY Mobile App
Provides digital licenses, reporting game harvests, and hunting/fishing info
Additional Hunting Opportunities
Early antlerless deer season, junior hunters, holiday deer hunt, and more
It is illegal to hunt or take wildlife while in or on a motor vehicle, with the help of the vehicle’s lights, on or from any public road, with a firearm fitted with a silencer, an automatic weapon that fires as long as the trigger is held back, or a semi-automatic weapon that can hold more than six rounds (except for weapons modified to hold no more than six rounds when using rimfire ammunition like.22 or.17 caliber rounds). Hunting big game, upland game birds, turkey, or waterfowl over baited areas is also prohibited. (see General License Information)
You need permission from the owner or lessee to view animals with lights within 500 feet of a home or farm structure (when looking for deer or bears). Unless it’s a handgun, the weapon must be stored, secured in the trunk, or carried by someone who isn’t driving.
New York State regulations regulate firearms and crossbows. Rifles larger than.22 caliber rimfire and shotgun ammunition with slugs or balls are illegal in deer-hunting areas. Westchester and Long Island ban hunting with firearms. Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester forbid crossbow hunting. Unless you’re hunting coyotes, the Northern Zone prohibits hunting with a dog and a rifle larger than.22 rimfire or a shotgun loaded with slug, ball, or buckshot. New York does not accept handgun licenses from other states. Semi-automatic rifle acquisition and transfer laws are detailed here. (See www.dec.ny.gov & https://safeact.ny.gov/resources-hunters for more information.)
Before transferring shotguns, rifles, and crossbows, they must be unloaded and uncocked. Unloading a muzzleloader involves removing the nipple cap, primer, priming powder, or battery. A loaded weapon may be stored in a motorboat that is not propelled or is propelled to recover dead or wounded game birds.
Unless you own, lease, are an immediate family member, an employee, or have the owner’s consent, it is illegal to discharge a firearm, crossbow, or bow in such a way that the load or arrow/bolt passes over a public highway within 500 feet (for firearms), 250 feet (for crossbows), or 150 feet (for bows) of any school, playground, factory, church, residence, farm building, or other structure in occupation or use. Waterfowl may be hunted over water within 500 feet of a dwelling or public facility if neither is closer than 500 feet in the direction of the shooting.
New York’s wildlife regulations exclude the porcupine, red squirrel, woodchuck, chipmunk, English sparrow, starling, rock pigeon, and monk parakeet. Hunting these non-protected animals with a bow, crossbow, or rifle needs a license. Hunters on licensed shooting preserves must follow the law while taking game animals during the open season.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must take a course before getting a license (DEC). DEC began offering online and live hunter and bowhunter education by authorized volunteers in 2020. Visit DEC for information.
The free In-Person Hunter Education Program Courses teach hunters and trappers. Register for courses on the official website. Apply early! All courses need homework before attending. (See https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/92267.html for more information)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEChuntereducation )’s program offers online hunting and bow hunter education courses and examinations. After passing the examinations, people may obtain hunting or bowhunting licenses with the certificate. New York State residents may pay for online courses on their website. Trapper education may have been accessible online last season. (See https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/92267.html)
A Perspective on New York’s Outdoor Season
Fall in New York offers thrilling outdoor adventures, but safe and careful exploration of public areas is the highlight. This voyage requires careful preparation, from communicating your location and projected return with a trusted contact to wearing blazing orange or pink during hunting seasons to increase visibility. Outdoor enthusiasts who nod or greet one other while hiking or hunting form a distinct community, especially during hunting seasons.
The New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations guide is essential for understanding hunting seasons by area and animal type. Knowing property-specific restrictions for state parks, wildlife management areas, and other public properties enhances the experience. These regions, essential for wildlife preservation, allow hunting, fishing, and trapping, stressing the need of safety, responsibility, and respect while exploring New York’s extensive public resources. View the video by NYSDEC below for a wonderful perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the New York hunting season start and end?
The New York hunting season for deer and bear is set to begin with bowhunting in the Northern Zone on September 27, 2023, and in the Southern Zone on October 1, 2023. In addition, a Youth Big Game Hunt for hunters aged 12 to 15 will be held from October 7–9, 2023. The Northern Zone’s early muzzleloader season for deer and bear begins on October 14, 2023, and the regular weapons season follows on October 21. Deer Management Permits (DMPs) have an application cutoff date of October 1, 2023. Hunters are urged to abide by the rules and report their kills within seven days in order to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the deer and moose of New York.
What types of animals can be hunted in New York during hunting season?
In New York during the hunting season, various types of animals can be hunted. The types of animals that can be hunted include:
Small Game (Cottontail Rabbit, Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Raccoon, Fox, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel, Coyote, Varying Hare, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel)
Furbearers (Bobcat, River Otter, Fisher, Marten, Beaver, Mink, Muskrat)
Each type of animal has its own specific hunting season and regulations as mentioned in the page above.
What are the requirements for getting a hunting license in New York?
To get a New York hunting license, you must meet certain requirements. Firstly, you must be 12 years old. You must also complete a hunter safety course online or in person. This course teaches hunters how to hunt safely and responsibly. These requirements enable individuals to get hunting permits and hunt lawfully in New York.
What are the hunting dates for deer in New York using a crossbow during the 2023-2024 season for individuals over 60 years old?
New Yorkers over 60 may shoot deer with a crossbow during the 2023-2024 hunting season. Hunting is plentiful throughout the Regular Bow Season from October 1 to December 31. These dates provide senior hunters in New York more crossbow hunting options. This season, all Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) except 5A, 9A, and 27 allow crossbows.
NYSDEC Hunting 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
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
When ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CROSS BOW HUNT FOR THE HOLE SENSON I CAN NOT PULL BACK ENOUGH POUNDS AND HOLD IT SO I JUST GET A WEEK OR SO I’M 69 years old
What are the dates for hunting deer with a crossbow for thoes over 60years old
When ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CROSS BOW HUNT FOR THE HOLE SENSON I CAN NOT PULL BACK ENOUGH POUNDS AND HOLD IT SO I JUST GET A WEEK OR SO I’M 69 years old