Hunting
Watch a clip about turkey hunting on DEC TV.
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.
Hunting Licenses
Hunting Seasons
Hunting season date and season zone information for all game species can be found
by clicking the links in the left-hand column.
You can also print or download a summary of hunting seasons (PDF) (452 kB).
Hunting Regulations
A summary of current hunting regulations.
For regulations specific to the species you want to hunt, visit the links in the left-hand column.
See recent hunting regulation changes
Hunter and Trapper Education
All hunters must take or have passed a sportsman's education class
Sportsman education certificates from all other states are valid in New York and are required
for the purchase of a hunting or trapping license.
Opportunities for Junior Hunters and Trappers
Information on the Junior Hunter (ages 12 to 15) and Junior Trapper (under age 16) mentoring programs
Specially designated turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl seasons for junior hunters.
Places to Hunt
Looking for 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
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!
Hunting and Trapping Photo Gallery
Junior hunters and trappers and adults who have harvested
their first big or small game animal are invited to share their photos
See the photo gallery Contributor's Guide
New York Hunting and Trapping Guide
The 2009-2010 Hunting and Trapping Guide is available for download
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Furbearer Hunting - General information for hunting furbearers including red and gray fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, skunk, mink, weasel, and opossum.
- Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds - A summary of State and Federal rules that apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory waterfowl
- Hunting on Long Island - Long Island Hunting Opportunities.
- 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.
- Places to Hunt in New York - Places to Hunt
