About Hunting in New York
Looking to plan a hunt in NY? We’ve put together all the information about the NY hunting season.
2020 New York Active Hunting Seasons in
In 2020 in NY is offering the following 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 Seasons Dates
Early bowhunting in NY state starts on September 27 in a few zones and October 24 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 2020
Northern Zone
| Northern Zone | Dates | Bag Limit |
| Early Bowhunting | Sept 27 – Oct 23 | 1 deer (antlered or antlerless) |
| Crossbow | Oct 14 – Oct 23 | |
| Regular | Oct 24 – Dec 6 | |
| Late Bowhunting | Dec 7 – Dec 13 |
*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 | Bag Limit |
| Early Bowhunting | Oct 1 – Nov 20 | 1 deer (antlered or antlerless) |
| Crossbow | Nov 7 – Nov 30 | |
| Regular | Nov 21 – Dec 13 | |
| Late Bowhunting | Dec 14 – Dec 22 |
2020 NY Muzzleloader Deer Seasons
Northern
| Northern | Dates | Zones | Bag Limit |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 17 – Oct 23, Dec 7 – Dec 13 | 5a, 5g, 5j, 6c, 6h, 6g | Deer of either sex |
| Oct 17 – Oct 23 | 6a | Antlered Deer Only | |
| Dec 7 – Dec 13 | Deer of either sex | ||
| Oct 17 – Oct 23 | 5c, 5f, 5h, 6k | Deer of either sex | |
| Oct 17 – Oct 23 | 6f, 6j, 6n | Antlered Deer Only |
Southern
| Southern | Dates | Zones | Bag Limit |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 14 – Dec 22 | Deer of either sex |
NY Black Bear Hunting Seasons 2020
| Dates | Bag Limit | |
| Early Bear | Sept 19 – Oct 16 | |
| Bowhunting | Sept 19 – Oct 23 | |
| Crossbow | Oct 14 – Oct 23 | |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 17 – Oct 23 | |
| Regular | Oct 24 – Dec 6 |
| Dates | Bag Limit | |
| Early Bear | Sept 12 – Sept 27 | |
| Early Bowhunting | Oct 1 – Nov 20 | |
| Crossbow | Nov 7 – Nov 20 | |
| Regular | Nov 21 – Dec 13 | |
| Late Bowhunting | Dec 14 – Dec 22 | |
| Late Muzzleloader | Dec 14 – Dec 22 |
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 14,2020 | ||
| Spring Turkey | Jan 25-Feb 22, 2021 | ||
| Bear Segment A | 10am Sept 9 – Oct 19, 2020 | ||
| Bear Segment B | 10am Nov 1, 2020 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.