Recent Hunting Rules Changes
This is a summary of significant changes for 2007/08. Check the guide for other minor changes such as season dates.
Big Game Season Changes in the Southern Zone for 2007:
New Law Allows Big Game Hunters to Use Rifles in 3 Counties.
Legislation approved in July 2007 allows rifle use for big-game hunting in Chemung, Steuben and Yates counties. It is similar to legislation enacted in 2005 for 10 counties in Central New York and the Southern Tier. However, this measure expires in one year and would have to be renewed in 2008 by state lawmakers. See the DEC press release for more details.
Deer Management Permits (DMPs)
DMP allocations for 2007 have increased about 40% statewide, and in general, most WMUs will have more DMPs available than in 2006. The total target DMP allocation for 2007 is approximately 466,000 DMPs, excluding Long Island and the Bowhunting-Only units (WMUs 3S, 4J and 8C) which do not have DMP targets. While this is a substantial increase from the 2006 target of 333,000 DMPs, it represents only about 65% of DMP targets of the early 2000s when deer numbers were at their highest in New York. DMPs will be cut back in a few units where greater survival of antlerless deer is needed, but outside of the Adirondack Region, only WMUs 3A, 4X, 4L, 4M, and 4U will be closed for DMPs in 2007.
View the DMP Probabilities to determine your chance of being selected for a DMP where you hunt.
Hunters accustomed to applying for DMPs in WMUs 4J and 8C during the extended application period will need to plan differently this season. DEC will not be issuing first-come/first-serve DMPs in WMUs 4J and 8C this November. Hunters may still apply for Bonus Permits in these units.
