This page provides a brief summary of significant changes to hunting regulations that have occurred within the past five years. For changes related to season dates, please review DEC’s annual Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.
2024-2025
Plain Paper Licenses and Tags
The paper used for sporting licenses and carcass tags changed from special stock (Valeron) to plain paper. This change allows hunters to receive their license and tags through email and print them from the home. See Sporting Licenses for details.
Backtags No Longer Required
Legislation passed that removed the requirement for hunters to wear a backtag while hunting anywhere in New York State.
2023-2024
Rifles in Onondaga County
Legislation passed that allowed the use of rifles to hunt big game in Onondaga County. The law expires October 1, 2025. See Deer and Bear Hunting Regulations for a map of legal hunting implements for big game hunting by county.
2021-2022
12- and 13-year Olds Can Hunt Deer with a Firearm or Crossbow in Some Counties
Legislation passed that authorized a license holder who is 12 or 13 years-of-age to hunt deer with a crossbow, rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloading firearm under the supervision of an experienced adult mentor in eligible counties. The legislation established this opportunity as a pilot program through 2023 and required counties to adopt a local law authorizing participation and to notify DEC of such participation. Legislation enacted in 2023 extended this pilot program through 2025. See Youth Big Game Hunting for a map of participating counties.
Holiday Deer Hunt
The late bow and muzzleloader season for deer in the Southern Zone was extended to provide a Holiday Deer Hunt from December 26 - January 1. See Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons for details.
Extended Hunting Hours for Deer and Bear
Daily hunting hours for deer and bear were extended from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
September Antlerless Deer Season Established in Some Wildlife Management Units (WMUs)
A nine day antlerless deer season was established in mid-September that allowed use of firearms, crossbows, and vertical bows in WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, and use of vertical bows only in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.
Big Game Hunters Required to Wear Fluorescent Clothing When Hunting Deer or Bear With a Firearm
Under these regulations deer and bear hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink clothing while hunting with a firearm. Any person who is accompanying someone hunting deer or bear with a firearm must also wear fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink clothing. See Deer and Bear Hunting Regulations for details.
2020-2021
WMU 4W Added to Early Bear Season
The early firearms season for bear in the Southern Zone was expanded to include WMU 4W. See Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons for details.
Rifles in Tompkins County
Legislation passed that allowed the use of rifles to hunt big game in Tompkins County. See Deer and Bear Hunting Regulations for a map of legal hunting implements for big game hunting by county.
Additional Waterfowl Hunting Days for Veterans and Active-Duty Military
Two hunting days for veterans and active-duty military members were added in four of the five waterfowl zones. During the designated days, veterans and active-duty military members can hunt migratory game birds. Daily bag limits are the same as the regular season. See Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird Seasons for details.
