New York [NY] Hunting Seasons
Last Updated on August 22, 2022 by Albert Smith
New York [NY] Hunting Seasons 2022-2023
Hunting season in New York state runs from late September through late January, with staggered opening and closing dates based on the specific game species. While certain seasons are longer in northern New York, where the seasons overlap with neighboring states, hunting opportunities are plentiful throughout the state. Specific rules and regulations, including licensing requirements, vary by game species. Pronghorn and wild turkey hunting is great in eastern New York, while moose hunting is popular in the Adirondacks and the northern region. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or looking to get into hunting, newnyhunter.com is the place to find information on hunting seasons and where to hunt in New York state.
The New York hunting seasons are some of the best in the country. The deer season is open from October 1-December 3 The bear season is open from October 16-December The small game season is open from September 1-February 2 The waterfowl season is open from October 1-January 31. The turkey season is open from October 1-May 31.
Hunting in New York offers unique and challenging hunting opportunities for deer, black bear, wild turkey and small game for both residents and nonresidents alike. Whether a hunt is from a stand, a blind, or an open field, you’re always in for an unforgettable hunting experience!
New York [NY] Hunting License
New York offers various options for purchasing a hunting license, including purchasing them online. However, nonresidents are required to provide additional documents in order to complete their purchase, including proof of hunter education and an identifying document for verification. Junior hunters are also eligible for a discounted hunting license fee.
Hunters can help protect their states and their deer population by reporting their kills, including information on sex, age, and location in an online ore over the phone. They can even help spread the word about their state’s food plots and vital deer habitat and help develop a season management plan to best serve the needs of their state.
You can apply online for a hunting license from the government office . Here is the link https://www.ny.gov/services/get-new-york-state-hunting-license
New York is divided into numerous hunting zones (areas where hunting is allowed), and some of these are for deer, while others are for bears. Additionally, many hunting zones have differing start and end dates. Be sure to know the specific laws per your weapon of choice and the location it will be utilized, before heading out into the woods.
New York Deer Hunting Seasons
There are many different hunting seasons for different animals in New York. The deer hunting season is one of the most popular hunting seasons. It usually starts in October and ends in December. There are many different places to go deer hunting in New York. Some of the most popular places are in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the Finger Lakes region.
Early Bowhunting/Bowhunting Only | Sept. 27-Jan. 31** |
Crossbow | Oct. 13-Nov. 19** |
Regular Firearms | Oct. 23-Dec. 12** |
Late Bowhunting | Dec. 6-Jan. 1** |
Muzzleloading | Oct. 16-Jan. 1** |
**Season dates vary by zone. New York State has multiple zones with various dates. For specific dates within your region, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.
New York Black Bear Hunting Seasons
New York State currently has three black bear hunting seasons. The regular season runs from mid-September to mid-November. The early season runs from early October to mid-November. The late season runs from mid-November to late December. All hunting seasons are contingent on the number of bears taken the previous year and the number of bears available for harvest in the current year. The regular season is currently the only season that is open.
Youth Firearms | Oct. 9-11 |
Early Bear | Sept. 18-Oct. 15** |
Archery/Bowhunting | Sept. 18-Dec. 21** |
Muzzleloading | Oct. 16-Dec. 21** |
Firearms | Oct. 23-Dec. 12** |
**Season dates vary by zone. New York State has multiple zones with dates can even vary within the zone based on area, or by take method. For specific dates within your region, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.
New York Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons
New York is home to many different types of wildlife, including wild turkey. The state offers several different hunting seasons for wild turkey, depending on the area of the state. Some areas of the state offer a fall turkey hunting season, while others offer a spring turkey hunting season. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides a detailed list of the different hunting seasons and areas on their website.
Fall Turkey | Oct. 1-Dec. 3** |
Spring Turkey | Youth: Apr. 23-24 General: May 1-31 |
New York Small Game Hunting Seasons
The New York Small Game hunting seasons are upon us and there is no better time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you are chasing deer, turkey, or small game, there is plenty of opportunity to fill your freezer this season. Be sure to check the regulations prior to heading out, as there are some changes this year that you will want to be aware of. With a little planning and preparation, you can make this your best hunting season yet.
New York’s small game hunting season runs from September 1st until February 28th. The season includes hunting for cottontail rabbits, squirrels, grouse, pheasant, partridge, quail, and ruffed leghorn. While there are many types of small game animals to hunt in New York, these are the most popular.
bwhite Quail | Oct. 1-Feb. 28** |
Rabbit | Oct. 1-Mar. 21** |
Pheasant | Oct. 16-Feb. 28** |
Ruffed Grouse | Sept. 20-Feb. 28** |
Squirrel | Long Island: Nov. 1-Feb. 28 Elsewhere: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 |
Varying Hare | Oct. 1-March 20** |
Racoon, Fox, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel | Long Island: Nov. 1-Feb. 25 Elsewhere: Oct. 25-Feb. 15 |
Coyote | Oct. 1-Mar. 27 |
**Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for New York hunting seasons vary based on animal and seasons. For more information on obtaining licenses, permits and regulations, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.