Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Making Plans to Hunt Out-of-State?

Deer and elk seasons are open in many parts of the country, and if you plan to hunt outside of New York, be aware of the rules in your destination state and here at home to reduce risks of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease. Check the rules for carcass movement, testing, and reporting where you hunt, and know that you cannot bring a whole carcass or intact head into New York. If you hunt deer, elk, moose, or caribou anywhere outside New York, you can only bring back the deboned meat, cleaned skull cap, antlers with no flesh adhering, raw or processed cape or hide, cleaned teeth or lower jaw, and finished taxidermy products.

DEC Announces Bowhunting Seasons for Deer and Bear

Bowhunting seasons for deer and bear began in the Northern Zone on Sept. 27 and will begin in the Southern Zone on Oct. 1.

Hunters are reminded that the state Legislature has not updated crossbow hunting laws. Bowhunters may only use crossbows during latter portions of bow seasons: the last 10 days of the Northern Zone bow season (Oct 13-22) and last 14 days of the Southern Zone bow season (Nov 6-19). To hunt with a crossbow during these periods, the law requires bowhunters to possess a muzzleloader privilege and a qualifications certificate.

Deer hunters should also be aware that the application deadline for Deer Management Permits (DMPs) is October 1. Visit the DEC website for DMP targets and the chances of being selected by WMU.

Photo courtesy of R. Baty

Youth Big Game Hunt Coming Columbus Day Weekend

New York's annual Youth Big Game Hunt will occur on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 9-11, 2021. New this year, 12- and 13-year-old hunters may join 14- and 15-year-olds participating in upstate counties that have passed a local law for these junior hunters to hunt deer with firearms (all counties north of Westchester except Erie and Rockland county). During this special opportunity, licensed 12-15-year-olds may use a firearm to hunt big game while accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. All eligible junior hunters may take one deer (either sex) and 14- and 15-year-olds may also take one bear. During the youth hunt, antlerless deer taken with a firearm may be tagged with a regular season tag, DMP, or Deer Management Assistance Program tags. Antlered deer may only be tagged with the regular season tag. Though junior hunters may have multiple deer tags, they may only take one deer with a firearm during the Youth Big Game Hunt.

This Youth Big Game Hunt takes place throughout the state, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. Additional rules that apply to junior hunters and their adult mentors can be found in the Hunting & Trapping Guide (PDF) or through the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program.

Photo courtesy of G. Moffat

DEC Announces Start of Small Game Hunting Seasons

Special Hunting Opportunities Available for Young Hunters and Military Personnel and Veterans

Most small game hunting seasons open Oct. 1 across New York State, including special youth hunts and special waterfowl hunting opportunities for active-duty military members and veterans. Season dates, bag limits, and other hunting regulations for New York's small game species are available in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which can be obtained from a license-issuing agent or on DEC's website.

DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm raises 30,000 birds annually, and they are released on publicly accessible lands across the state. Information on release sites can be found on the DEC website.

Photo courtesy of J. Paes

Special Youth Hunting Opportunities and Military/Veteran Waterfowl Days

Youth hunts for pheasants and waterfowl took place last weekend in much of eastern NY, and are still upcoming in western NY and on Long Island. Military and Veteran Waterfowl Hunting Days are also upcoming in the Southeast, Western, and Long Island zones.

Starting in early October, New York offers vast waterfowl (ducks, geese, and brant) hunting opportunities as hunters may harvest more than 30 species of waterfowl. New York has five waterfowl zones and nine Canada goose zones that help to maximize hunting opportunity across diverse habitats. Most waterfowl zones also have special hunting days for youth and members of the military (both active duty and veterans) that often begin prior to the regular hunting season, giving these hunters the opportunity to hunt with less competition and hunting pressure.

Junior hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter, and both the junior hunter and adult must be registered with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). Adult hunters must also have a federal migratory bird stamp and the adult hunter supervising a youth may not possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow afield. Veterans wishing to participate in the special military hunting days must carry identification that verifies their active duty or veteran status while hunting.

For more on waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits, visit the Waterfowl Seasons page on DEC's website.