Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Legislature Creates New Hunting Opportunity for Youth

The State Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget signed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo includes legislation that now allows youth ages 12 and 13 to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter in upstate counties that opt-in to participate.

Youth ages 12 and13 in New York have been safely hunting small game with firearms since the early 90s and hunting deer and bear with archery equipment since 2011. Until now, though, New York was the only state that didn’t allow 12 and 13-year-olds to hunt big game with a firearm. This new legislation (ECL 11-0935) is a temporary measure through 2023 and includes the following provisions:

• Allows 12 and 13-year-old licensed hunters to hunt deer with a rifle shotgun, or muzzleloading firearm in areas such firearms may be used during hunting season
• Allows 12 and 13-year-old licensed hunters to hunt deer with a crossbow during the times when other hunters may use crossbows
• Requires supervision of a licensed adult hunter (21 years or older) with three years of deer hunting experience who maintains physical control over the youth hunter at all times
• Requires the youth hunter and adult mentor to wear fluorescent orange or pink clothing and to remain at ground level while hunting deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloader

The legislation requires each county to opt-in to the program by adopting a local law allowing for 12 and 13-year-olds to hunt deer in accordance with ECL 11-0935. The legislation specifically excludes Westchester and Suffolk counties from participation and does not authorize youth to hunt black bears with a firearm or crossbow.

People interested in this opportunity for youth hunters in their family should inquire with their county officials about the status of opting-in.

DEC will maintain a list of counties that choose to participate on our website for Junior Big Game Hunting.  

Youth Archers Stayed on Target For This Year’s New York’s NASP State Tournament

For the 13th year in a row, DEC hosted a successful state archery tournament for all schools across New York who are a part of NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program). In an ordinary year, hundreds of students would be travelling to Syracuse for the live NASP Tournament to compete against fellow archers from around the state. To allow for safe competition, this year’s tournament was held virtually, which required archers to compete at their school and submit their scores online.

The virtual state tournament is the best way to offer a culminating state championship event to compete for awards for the students and coaches who dedicate their time to practicing the sport of archery through NASP. The event enabled the program to continue to motivate archers in an encouraging, safe environment during a year that has been especially challenging.

Eighteen schools across 11 counties participated in the 2021 State Tournament. The 430 students competed from their home schools in one of three divisions: High School (grades 9-12); Middle School (grades 6-8); and Elementary School (grades 4-5). Each competitor in the state tournament could achieve a maximum score of 300 points. The top overall score and 1st place male archer in the High School Division was Andrew Mullen from Norwich High School in Chenango County with a score of 288. The top overall female archer and 1st place in the Middle School Division was Grace Groves from Arkport Central School in Steuben County with a score of 284. Both winners will receive a trophy, a New York Champion Genesis bow and bow case. Awards are also given out in each of the three divisions for first through 10th places. The first-place team in the high school division was St. Joseph by the Sea High School in Richmond County for the seventh year in a row. The first-place team in the middle school division was Arkport Central School in Steuben County, and the first-place team in the elementary school division was Hinsdale Central School District in Cattaraugus County. For the full list of results, visit the tournament website.

Bringing in Spring with a Gobble - DEC Announces Turkey Seasons

DEC's annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place on April 24-25. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12 to 15 is open in all parts of Upstate New York and Suffolk County. The spring turkey season opens the following weekend, this year falling on Saturday, May 1 in all parts of Upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester county boundary.

Last year, turkey hunters took about 21,500 birds in New York during the spring season, representing an increase of about 25 percent from 2019. Much of the increase was likely due to a rise in hunter participation as more people looked for outdoor activities close to home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This spring, hunters can expect good numbers of jakes based on average to good productivity in 2020 and a generally mild winter, but two-year old birds may be more difficult to find. During 2019, turkeys in New York experienced one of the worst breeding seasons in the 25 years DEC has been monitoring productivity, and the effects of that poor productivity will be experienced most heavily this year for hunters targeting adult birds.

Important details for the Spring Youth Hunt on April 24-25, 2021:

• Hunters 12-15 years of age are eligible and must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit.
• Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 18 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
• The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow, or crossbow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.
• The youth turkey hunt is open in all parts of upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester county boundary and in Suffolk County.
• The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken only in Upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester county boundary, beginning May 1.
• Crossbows may only be used by hunters age 14 or older. In Suffolk and Westchester counties, it is illegal to use a crossbow to hunt wild turkeys.
• All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.

Other important details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2021:

• Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island.
• Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.
• Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day.
• Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow or crossbow (except crossbows may not be used in Westchester County).
• Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested.
• Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at DEC's Game Harvest Reporting website.

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the Turkey Hunting pages of DEC's website.

Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart

While statistics show that hunting in New York State is safer than ever, mistakes are made each year. Every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable. DEC encourages hunters to use common sense this season and remember what they were taught in their DEC Hunter Education Course:

• Point your gun in a safe direction.
• Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
• Be sure of your target and beyond.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Stalking stinks! Set up with your back against a tree or other object wider than your shoulders and call birds to you.

DEC also encourages all hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze pink when moving between hunting spots to make themselves more visible to other hunters. A blaze orange or blaze pink vest or other material can be hung in a nearby tree when you are set up and calling birds so other hunters are alerted to your presence. A hunter education class is required for all new hunters and is available in-person (for free) or on-line (for a fee). To find an in-person hunter education class in your area, visit DEC's Hunter Education Program website or call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 (1-888-486-8332).