About Hunting in New York
Looking to plan a hunt in NY? We’ve put together all the information about the NY hunting season.
2021 New York Active Hunting Seasons
Big Game
- Deer
- Black Bear
Small Game
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Varying Hare
- Grey, Black and Fox Squirrel
Birds
- Wild Turkey
- Waterfowl
- Migratory game birds
New York Hunting Season Dates
Early bowhunting in NY state starts on September 27 in a few zones and October 23 is the first day of the regular hunting season.
That said, hunting seasons depend on the following:
- The sporting arm (ie weapon)
- Animal
- Zone (location)
Once you know what you want to hunt, with what and where you can reference the tables below to know when the seasons begin and end and what the bag limits are (what sex and how many you can harvest).
NY Regular & Bowhunting Deer Hunting Seasons 2021
Northern Zone
| Northern Zone | Dates | Notes |
| Early Bowhunting | Sept 27 – Oct 22 | |
| Crossbow | Oct 13 – Oct 22 | |
| Regular | Oct 23 – Dec 5 | |
| Late Bowhunting | Dec 6 – Dec 12 | Only 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H |
*Antlered bucks must have at least one antler with 3 or more points that are at least 1 inch long.
Southern Zone
| Southern Zone | Dates |
| Early Bowhunting | Oct 1 – Nov 19 |
| Crossbow | Nov 6 – Nov 19 |
| Regular | Nov 20 – Dec 12 |
| Late Bowhunting | Dec 13 – Dec 21 Dec 26 – Jan 1 |
Bag Limits
The number of deer a hunter may take depends upon the licenses and privileges purchased. If a licensed hunter has the proper tags, they are permitted to shoot more than one deer in a day. Here is a description of the tags received with each license type. Refer to the chart below for a description of how each tag can be used.
If you purchase:
- Hunting License
- You will receive a Regular Season Deer Tag.
- Muzzleloading or Bowhunting Privilege*–
- You will receive a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag.
- Muzzleloading and Bowhunting Privilege*–
- You will receive one Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag and one Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Deer Tag, both of which may be used in either season.
* A hunting license must be purchased to be eligible for Bowhunting and Muzzleloading Privileges.
New York Muzzleloading Deer Seasons 2021
| Muzzleloader | Dates | Zones | Bag Limit |
| Northern Zone | Oct. 16 – Oct. 22 Dec. 6 – Dec. 12 | 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H | Deer of either sex |
| Oct. 16 – Oct. 22 | 6N | Antlered Deer Only | |
| Southern Zone | Dec. 13 – Dec. 21 | Except bowhunting only WMUs 4J and 8C) | Deer of either sex |
| Dec. 26 – Jan. 1 | Except bowhunting only WMUs 4J and 8C | Deer of either sex |
NY Black Bear Hunting Seasons 2021
Nortnern Zone
| Northern Zone | Dates | Area |
| Bowhunting | Sept. 18 – Oct. 22 | Brown shaded portion |
| Crossbow | Oct. 13 – Oct. 22 | Brown shaded portion |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 16 – Oct. 22 | Brown shaded portion |
| Regular | Oct. 23 – Dec. 5 | Brown shaded portion |
| Sept. 18 – Dec. 5 | Yellow shaded portion |
Southern Zone
| Southern Zone | Dates | Area |
| Early Bear | Sept. 11 – Sept. 26 | Green Shaded Portion |
| Bowhunting | Oct. 1 – Nov. 19 Dec. 13 – Dec. 21 | Orange and green shaded portions |
| Crossbow | Nov. 6 – Nov. 19 (Not in WMUs 3S, 4J or 8C) | Orange shaded portion |
| Nov. 6 – Nov. 19 | Green shaded portion | |
| Regular | Nov. 20 – Dec. 12 | Orange and green shaded portions |
| Muzzleloading | Dec. 13 – Dec. 21 | Orange and green shaded portions |
Early Season bear hunters may use a bow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility), crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle (where allowed). For legal implements in other bear seasons, please see Rifle, Shotgun, and Bow Areas.
Understanding New York’s hunting season
Before you can hunt in NJ, you will need to do the following:
- First buy an annual NY hunting license
- Buy applicable permits
NY Annual Hunting License Costs
| Resident/Non-resident | Age | Cost |
| Resident | 16-60 | $22 |
| Resident | 70+ | $5 |
| Non-resident | 16+ | $100 |
| Non-resident | 12-15 | $5 |
(Note: It is not necessary to purchase a separate bear tag when buying a hunting license. Small game and big game hunting is now included in the annual hunting license for both residents and nonresidents.)
Additional NY Hunting Privileges/Permits
| Permit | Resident Cost | Nonresident Fee |
| Bowhunting Privilege | $15 (ages 16-69) No fee (ages 70+) $4 (ages 12-15) | $30 (ages 16+) $4 (ages 12-15) |
| Muzzleloading Privilege | $15 (ages 14-69) No fee (ages 70+) | $30 (ages 14+) |
| Turkey Permit | $10 (ages 12+) | $20 (ages 12+) |
| Deer Management Permit | $10 (ages 16+) No fee (ages 12-15) No fee (holders of lifetime sportsman licenses purchased prior to October 1, 2009) | $10 (ages 16+) No fee (ages 12-15) No fee (holders of lifetime sportsman licenses purchased prior to October 1, 2009) |
Annual hunting licenses and privileges are valid from September 1 through August 31 each year.
Where to buy: https://decals.licensing.east.kalkomey.com/
NY Hunting Lottery Application Dates
| Permit | Application Date |
| Fall Turkey | 10am Sept 14, 2021 |
| Spring Turkey | Jan 25-Feb 22, 2021 |
| Bear Segment A | 10am Sept 9 – Oct 19, 2021 |
| Bear Segment B | 10am Nov 1, 2021 until end of season or sold out |
Permit Tip:
Some permits go on sale ‘over the counter’ if they don’t sell out.
Find a hunting guide in New York
- Guided Deer Hunts
- Guided Bear Hunts
- Guided Pheasant Hunts
- Guided Turkey Hunts
New York Hunting News
We’re currently researching news articles.
Tips for Hunting in NY
No hunting on sunday, must wear orange, must have license, hours vary, earn a buck
FAQs
Do I need a license to hunt in NY?
How long is a NY hunting licenses valid for? Licenses are for the calendar year and expire on December 31. Deer permits are valid into the following year if a season extends into it.