For Release: Wednesday, August 31, 2011
DEC Announces New Big Game Hunting Laws
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced two recent changes to laws affecting big game hunting this year in Cortland County and in parts of Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties. These bills were signed into law in mid-August, therefore, they are not included in the hardcopy version of the 2011-2012 New York Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide, but are reflected on the DEC website and in the electronic version of the New York Hunting and Trapping guide.
Specifically, hunters should be aware that:
- In Cortland County - A new law allows the use of rifles for big game hunting in Cortland County, but does not allow the use of crossbows in this county during the regular big game season. However, crossbows may be used in Cortland County during the late muzzleloader season. To view a map of where rifles, shotguns, vertical bows and crossbows can be used for big game hunting and for details about hunting with crossbows and the required Certificate of Qualification visit the DEC website. Separate legislation authorizing the use of rifles for big game hunting in Wyoming County and in the portion of Chautauqua County south of Route 20 also allows the use of crossbows during the regular big game season and late muzzleloader season in those counties.
- In Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties - A new law establishes mandatory antler restrictions in the portion of Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 3A that lies south and west of State Route 28 (this includes parts of Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties). The law prohibits hunters from taking any antlered deer except those that have at least one antler with at least three points. The law applies to all public and private lands and all deer hunting seasons. Only hunters under the age of 17 are exempt and may take any antlered deer with at least one antler measuring three or more inches in length. Deer hunting regulations in all other WMUs were not affected by this legislation. To view a map of deer hunting seasons including the area with mandatory antler restrictions and for information on antler restrictions in New York visit the DEC website.
These laws are in effect for the 2011 hunting seasons.
