Future Big Game Hunting Seasons

Many sportsmen like to know big game season dates well in advance so they can schedule vacation and other plans accordingly. Season dates for 2007-2008 can be found on the Big Game Season Maps. You can calculate future season dates by using the following formulas taken from laws and regulations in effect as of the last update of this page.

Northern Zone

Archery Season:

Deer and Bear - September 27 through the Friday immediately preceding the next to the last Saturday in October. (September 27 - October 17, 2008; only unfilled prior year big game tags can be used before October 1)

Regular Season:

Deer and Bear - The next to the last Saturday in October through the first Sunday in December. (October 18 - December 7, 2008)

Muzzleloading Season:

Deer and Bear - The seven day period ending on the day before the regular season begins. (October 11 - October 17, 2008)
(NOTE: For deer there may be additional muzzleloading hunting opportunity at other times, but the timing and other factors may vary. Additional information will be available when licenses go on sale in August)

Early Bear Season:

Bear - The first Saturday after the second Monday in September through the day immediately preceding opening of the muzzleloading season. (September 13 - October 10, 2008; only unfilled prior year bear tags can be used before October 1 )

Southern Zone

Archery Season:

Deer and Bear - The Saturday following the second Monday in October (Columbus Day) through the day prior to the opening of the regular Southern Zone deer season, and 9 days immediately following the close of the regular deer season. (October 18 - November 14, 2008 and December 8 - 16, 2008)

Regular Season:

Deer - 23 days beginning the third Saturday of November. (November 15 - December 7, 2008)

Bear/Catskills - The opening of the Southern Zone regular deer season through the end of the Southern Zone regular deer season. (November 15 - December 7, 2008)

Bear/Allegany - The first Saturday after the opening of the Southern Zone regular deer season through the end of the Southern Zone regular deer season. (November 22 - December 7, 2008)

Muzzleloading Season:

Deer and Bear - The 9 days immediately following the close of the regular deer season. (December 8 - 16, 2008)

Westchester County

Regular Deer - The Saturday following the second Monday in October (Columbus Day) and continuing through December 31st.(October 18 - December 31, 2008)

Suffolk County

Regular Season:

Deer - October 1 through December 31.

Special Firearms Season:

Deer - The first Monday following the first Saturday in January, through the last weekday in January, Monday - Friday only. (January 5 - 30, 2009 Monday-Friday only)