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Hunting

Hunting is among the most popular forms of wildlife recreation in New York State. Nearly 700,000 New Yorkers and over 50,000 nonresidents hunt in the Empire State. New York offers many exciting opportunities to hunt a large variety of wildlife, including big game, small game, game birds and furbearers.

Purchase a sporting license icon with buck head and fish

Hunting Licenses

Hunting license information (Eligibility, residency requirements, minimum age, responsibilities and other information)
Hunting license fees and How to get a hunting license.


A montage showing a deer, a turkey, a bear and a duck to represent the hunting seasons of those animals

Hunting Seasons

Hunting season date and season zone information for all game species
Summary of 2011-12 hunting seasons (PDF, 783 kB) for download or printing


Conservation officer with hunters

Hunting Regulations

Summary of current hunting regulations. Read about NY's new Crossbow law.
For regulations on specific species, use the links in the left-hand column of this page.
See recent hunting regulation changes.

Hunter education instructor and student

Hunter and Trapper Education

A sportsman's education class is required for all new hunters and trappers. Crossbow hunters need a Certificate of Qualification.
Sportsman education certificates from all other states are valid in New York and are required
for the purchase of a hunting or trapping license.


Young male bow hunter poses with the buck he killed

Opportunities for Junior Hunters and Trappers

Junior Hunter (ages 12 to 15) and Junior Trapper (under age 16) mentoring programs.

Turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl seasons specially designated for junior hunters.



Public hunting area sign

Places to Hunt

Find land open to public hunting in your area and view or download maps.
Always ask permission before hunting regardless of whether the land is posted.



Icon reminding hunters to report their game harvest

Report Your Deer, Bear or Turkey Harvest

Report your deer, bear, or turkey harvest via phone or internet.
It's not just the law, it's good management!

Deer and bear harvests (2010 and before)
Spring turkey take (2011 and before)
Fall turkey take (2010 and before)



Successful junior hunter with wild turkey

Hunting and Trapping Photo Gallery

View the photo galleries of junior hunters and trappers and adults who have harvested their first big or small game animal.

See the Contributor's Guide to share your photos.



2011-12 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations GuideNew York Hunting and Trapping Guide

View the 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide. Season dates and regulations can also be found at the links above.



Field Notes: E-mail News
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Click here to learn more
and subscribe!

Get noteworthy news in your inbox by subscribing to Field Notes. In this email newsletter you will receive reminders on upcoming hunting seasons, information on changes to hunting regulations, and additional news related to New York's fish and wildlife resources.

DEC TV

Watch a clip about turkey hunting on DEC TV.


More about Hunting:

  • New York Hunting and Trapping Guide - New York State Hunting & Trapping Guide.
  • Hunting Seasons - Links to hunting season information for big and small game species.
  • Hunting Regulations - Regulations applying to all hunting in New York State; regulations for specific game species are found under Small Game, Furbearers, Big Game, Migratory Game Bird and Trapping
  • Places to Hunt in New York - Places to Hunt
  • Game Harvest Reporting - If you take a deer, bear, coyote or turkey, you are required by law to report your take via the DECALS system.
  • NYS Sportsman Education Program - All first-time hunters, bowhunters and trappers must pass one or more courses before they can get a license in New York State. The courses are free of charge. Trained instructors certified by the Department of Environmental Conservation teach safe and responsible outdoors practices and the important role of hunters in conservation.
  • Deer and Bear Hunting - Links to information about hunting for deer and bear in New York State
  • Turkey Hunting - Turkey hunting opportunities, safety, and regulations
  • Small Game Hunting - A synopsis of New York State regulations for hunting small game and furbearers
  • Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird Hunting - A summary of State and Federal rules that apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory waterfowl
  • Furbearer Hunting - General information for hunting furbearers including red and gray fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, skunk, mink, weasel, and opossum.
  • Opportunities for Junior Hunters & Trappers - Special seasons and programs for junior hunters (ages 12-15) and trappers (under 12 years old)
  • Hunting & Trapping Photo Gallery - DEC has created a photo gallery for junior hunters (ages 12-15), young trappers (under age 16), and hunters who have harvested their first big or small game animal.