Big Game Seasons and Regulations

Hunting Hours

Big game hunting hours are sunrise to sunset. Sunday hunting is allowed in all areas of New York. There are some local exceptions. Check the area that you hunt carefully. For hunting on state parks, confirm regulations with the park before hunting.

Bobcats and Coyotes

Big game hunters who desire to take a bobcat or coyote must possess a junior small game, sportsman, small and big game, nonresident hunting or nonresident combination license. Bobcat pelts must be tagged according to procedures described under Pelt Sealing.

Legally Antlered Deer

A legally antlered deer must have at least one antler that is three inches or longer measured from the base of the burr. Special regulations apply in the Pilot Antler Restriction area.

Defining "Early" and "Late" Seasons for Deer and Bear

When you see the term "early" muzzleloader or archery season, it means before the regular deer season for that particular zone. "Late" means after the regular deer season for that zone.

Bag Limits

Bear

Resident and Nonresident hunters may take one bear by gun or bow each license year.

In the Southern Zone, you may not shoot a cub or a bear that should be known to be a cub, shoot any bear from a group of bears, or shoot or take a bear from its den.

Deer

The number of deer a hunter may take depends upon the licenses and privileges purchased. 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.

Resident Hunters:
If you purchase:

Small Game/Big Game, Sportsman, Senior or Military Disabled 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.
Conservation Legacy or Super Sportsman License-- You will receive:
- a Regular Season Deer Tag and
- a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag and
- a Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Deer Tag

* Residents must purchase a big game license to be eligible for Bowhunting and Muzzleloading Privileges.

Nonresident Hunters:
If you purchase:

Nonresident Big Game License--
- You will receive a Regular Season Deer Tag.
Nonresident Muzzleloading OR Bowhunting*--
- You will receive a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag.
Nonresident Muzzleloading AND Bowhunting*--
- 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.
Nonresident Super Sportsman --
You will receive:
- a Regular Season Deer Tag and
- a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag and
- a Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Deer Tag

* Nonresidents can purchase Bowhunting and Muzzleloading licenses without purchasing a regular big game license.

Deer Tag Types and Privileges
Tag Type	Valid For	Can be used during
Regular Season Deer Tag	Antlered Deer Only Exceptions: Antlered or Antlerless During the regular season in Westchester Co. and during any season in Suffolk Co. In Areas restricted to longbow hunting only During late season (with bow or muzzleloading privilege) September 27-30, in the Northern Zone with previous season's unused tag and bow privilege	Regular Seasons Northern Zone Southern Zone Late Seasons Archery (with Bow Privilege) Muzzleloading (with Muzzleloading Privilege
Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag	Antlered or Antlerless Deer Cannot be used for Antlerless deer during muzzleloading seasons in certain Northern Zone WMUs that are for Antlered Deer only	Archery OR Muzzleloading seasons only (including the regular season in Westchester County and any season in Suffolk County), corresponding to the privileges purchased
Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Deer Tag	Antlerless Deer Only Cannot be used during muzzleloading seasons in certain Northern Zone WMUs that are for Antlered Deer only	Archery OR Muzzleloading seasons only (including the regular season in Westchester County and any season in Suffolk County), corresponding to the privileges purchased
Deer Management Permit	Antlerless Deer Only Valid only for the WMU specified on the DMP	Valid in all Southern Zone seasons (with appropriate privileges), including all Westchester & Suffolk County seasons, and in the Northern Zone regular season and late muzzleloading season (not valid in Northern Zone archery or early muzzleloading seasons)

Junior Archers will receive a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Deer Tag which will be valid in the special archery seasons and during the regular season. Junior Archers may also apply for Deer Management Permits.

Deer Management Permits

Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may now be applied for at all license issuing outlets, by phone, by mail or via the internet when you purchase your regular big game license (see DECALS for license issuance information) by October 1. For more information on DMPs see our Deer Management Permit Page. DMPs are valid:

During all Southern Zone seasons (using valid implements with appropriate privileges), including all Suffolk and Westchester county seasons.
During the Northern Zone regular and the late muzzleloading seasons (DMPs are not valid in the Northern Zone during early archery or early muzzleloading seasons).

You may now transfer your DMP to another hunter to possess and use. Hunters can receive and use up to two transferred DMPs in addition to any DMPs they were originally issued.

Manner of Taking

It is unlawful to:

Take big game while the deer or bear is in water.
Possess a firearm of any description when bowhunting or when accompanying a person bowhunting during special archery seasons.
Make, set or use a salt lick on land inhabited by deer or bear.

It is unlawful to hunt big game with:

A firearm or bow aided by any artificial light or a laser that projects a beam toward the target.
An autoloading firearm with a capacity of more than 6 shells (one which requires that the trigger be pulled separately for each shot), except an autoloading pistol with a barrel length of less than 8 inches.
A firearm using rimfire ammunition.
A shotgun of less than 20 gauge or any shotgun loaded with shells other than those carrying a single projectile.
A bow with a draw weight of 35 lbs or less.
Arrows with barbed broadheads; arrowheads less than 7/8 inches at the widest point or with less than 2 sharp cutting edges.
Dogs.
Aircraft of any kind.
Bait.

Long Island Opportunities

Deer hunting from October-December is archery only. All hunting on state land requires a DEC permit. During the January firearms season, shotgun and muzzleloader are the only legal implements, and a special permit is required. For exact dates and permit information, send a self-addressed envelope to Deer Info, NYS DEC, SUNY Bldg. 40, Stony Brook, NY 11790-2356 or visit our Long Island Hunting Page.

Sale of Deer or Bear Meat Prohibited

It is unlawful to sell deer or bear flesh. Other than flesh, the parts from legally taken and reported deer and bear may be sold only if tagged prior to sale. Tag shall be provided by the hunter or the buyer and include the hunter's license number, date of birth, signature, printed name and the town and county location of kill.

Tagging, Transporting and Reporting

Deer and bear are in legal possession only when tagged with the appropriate portion of the big game license, deer management permit or other license provided for that purpose.

Tagging
Here's what you must do immediately upon killing a deer or bear:

Fill in all information on the carcass tag and report tag with ink that won't erase.
Detach the carcass tag from the report tag. Once filled in, the tag may not be altered.
Keep the report tag, you will need it when you report your deer or bear.
The month and date must also be cut or marked in ink on the margin of the carcass tag.
You do not need to attach the tag to the carcass while it is being dragged or physically carried from the place of kill to a camp or point where transportation is available.
Once you get to the camp or vehicle, attach the tag to the deer or bear immediately.
Keep the tag attached to the carcass until it is cut up and prepared for consumption.

You may continue to assist other hunters after you have filled all of your tags, as long as you do not shoot or attempt to shoot a deer. "Being afield with slugs after filling your big game tags is illegal; carrying a centerfire rifle may be considered evidence of attempting to shoot deer."

Transporting
Deer and bear may be transported either inside or outside the vehicle.

A deer carcass with head and deer carcass tag attached may be transported with the taker in attendance.
If someone other than the taker is transporting the deer, an additional tag supplied by the taker bearing the names and addresses of the consignee and taker must be attached to the carcass.
All portions of deer or bear meat being transported by the taker shall be individually tagged and the tags shall include the name, address, big game license number, the date that the portions were cut, and the signature of the taker. Packaged or boxed portions of venison need only one tag and must be labeled "venison" on the outside of the box. If someone other than the taker is transporting the portions, an additional tag signed by the taker with the names and addresses of the consignee and taker is required for each portion.
Non-resident hunters: If your home state prohibits the importation of whole deer carcasses from NY, you will need to follow the above guidelines for transportation of individual or packaged portions of deer meat while in New York State
A deer carcass minus the head may be transported as above, but evidence of the sex of the deer must be intact. The deer carcass tag must be affixed to the carcass, and a tag supplied by the taker must also be attached showing the name and address of the taxidermist where the head was sent.
Heads of male deer may be transported to a taxidermist only if a tag supplied by the taker is attached bearing the taker's signature, address, big game license number, number of points on each antler and the name and address of the taxidermist.
The head of a doe with antlers that are 3 inches or more can be removed for mounting. Follow the same procedure that you would use for a buck you are having mounted. (See above.)

Reporting

If you take a deer in a portion of Oneida or Madison County that is in the CWD containment area there are special regulations see CWD information for deer hunters in Oneida and Madison Counties

Deer or Bear -- Hunters who harvest a deer or bear are required by law to report their take via the toll free DECALS game reporting system within 48 hours by calling 1-866-426-3778 (1-866-GAMERPT). Page 7 of this guide explains reporting in more detail. It will be important to have your deer or bear report tag (small tag attached to the right side of the carcass tag) with you when making this call. You will be asked for information from this tag during the report call. See our Reporting your deer, bear, coyote or turkey take for further reporting details.

Northern Zone Bear -- Hunters who harvest a bear in the Northern Zone will be asked to submit part of the lower jaw or a tooth of the bear to determine the age of the bear. A collection packet including a postage paid return jaw envelope and information explaining collection will be mailed to each hunter that reports a bear. There are many cooperating taxidermists within New York that can remove and submit teeth, so check with your taxidermist. Generally, taxidermists do not use teeth or the lower jaw for their mounts.

Southern Zone Bear -- DEC wildlife staff would like to examine bears before they are skinned or butchered. Wildlife staff will make every attempt to contact hunters in order for the bear to be checked. At no time is a hunter expected to sacrifice the quality of the meat or hide of a bear for examination.

When reporting a bear, hunters will be asked to provide name, phone number and location or address where the bear can be examined. If staff are not available in the Catskill region, bears can be examined at cooperating taxidermists and meat cutters. Bears may also be examined in Sullivan County at the Monticello Fire Department.

Bowhunting

Bowhunting opportunities include both the regular and archery seasons. Residents may use a bow to take legally antlered deer and bear during the regular season provided the taker possesses both a valid Big Game license and either a current bowhunting privilege or a valid bowhunter education certificate. Residents may take deer of either sex during the archery season provided the taker possesses a Big Game license and bowhunting privilege, or a Junior Archery license. Refer to Bag Limits above for information on hunting with a bow during regular and archery seasons.

A bow may also be used to fill a deer management permit during the early archery season in the Southern Zone, the Southern Zone regular season and the late archery season. In WMUs 4J and 8C only bows may be used to take deer (either sex) during the regular and archery seasons. Suffolk (WMU 1C) and Westchester counties (WMU 3S) have separate regular seasons restricted to bows for taking deer (either sex).

Barbed Broadheads

Barbed broadheads are illegal for hunting big game. A barbed broadhead is one in which the angle formed between the trailing or rear edge of any blade and the shaft is less than 90 degrees. Broadhead examples on the right compare one that is barbed to three that are legal. Broadheads with retractable blades are legal. Broadheads with mechanical blades are legal if the blades DO NOT form a barb or hook when the arrow is pulled from the flesh of a deer or bear.

Muzzleloading

Deer - may only be taken as shown on the Muzzleloading Deer Map
Bear - may only be taken as shown on the Bear Hunting Map.

All hunters participating in the muzzleloading season must follow these requirements in addition to the other regulations in this guide.

Each resident hunter must have purchased a current year Muzzleloading privilege with his/her big game license.
Each nonresident hunter must have a current year Muzzleloading License.
The legal firearm for this season is a muzzleloading rifle or pistol (including smoothbore muzzleloaders) loaded through the muzzle, shooting a single projectile and having a bore of .44 inches or larger. Double-barreled muzzleloaders and percussion cap revolvers are not legal during the special muzzleloading season. If you hunt with a single-shot muzzleloading pistol, you must have a New York State Pistol License.
Hunters shall not have in their possession, or be accompanied by a person who has in his or her possession, a bow or firearm other than the legal muzzleloading firearm.
You may use fiber-optic sights or scopes on a muzzleloading firearm at any time.

More about Big Game Seasons and Regulations:

Big Game Importation Restrictions - Due to the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease within the United States and Canada, special restrictions have been place on the importation of carcasses and parts of big game animals hunted outside of New York State.
Big Game Hunting Seasons - General big game hunting seasons information. Most of these seasons are based on geographical units called Wildlife Management Units
Big Game Hunting Legal Implements - Descriptions of Legal Implements for Big Game Hunting. Written Descriptions of areas on Legal Implements Map.
Legally Defined Areas for Big Game Hunting - Written descriptions of Legally Defined Areas for Big Game Hunting
Bonus Deer Management Permits - "Bonus Permits" may be available to hunters who take an antlerless deer on a Deer Management Permit (DMP) or a Bonus DMP in a unit where additional harvest is required (normally Units 1C, 3S, 4J, or 8C).
Consignment of Deer Management Permits - Summary of procedure for Consignment of Deer Management Permits.