White-Tailed Deer Hunting Seasons
| Area | Early Antlerless | Bowhunting | Youth Firearms | Regular Season | Muzzleloading | Special Late Firearms Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone | No season | Sept. 27 - Oct. 24 Dec. 8 - Dec. 14 (WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only) | Oct. 11 -Oct. 13 | Oct. 25 - Dec. 7 | Oct. 18 - Oct. 24 Dec. 8 - Dec. 14 (WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only) | No season |
| Southern Zone | Sept. 13 - 21 (WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, 9F - firearms, bows, crossbow) (WMUs 4J, 8C - bow and crossbow only) | Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 | Oct. 11 -Oct. 13 (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C) | Nov. 15 - Dec. 7 | Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C) Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C) | No season |
| Westchester County (WMU 3S) | Sept. 13 - 21 (bow and crossbow only) | No season | No season | Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 (bow and crossbow only) | No season | No season |
| Suffolk County (WMU 1C) | Sept. 13 - 21 (bow and crossbow only) | No season | No season | Oct. 1, 2025 - Jan. 31, 2026 (bow and crossbow only) | No season | Jan. 4 - Jan. 31, 2026 (Special Permit Required) |
Note: Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons. Bows and crossbows may be used during the Early Antlerless Season with appropriate bowhunter eligibility.
Black Bear Hunting Seasons
| Area | Early | Bowhunting | Youth Firearms | Regular | Muzzleloading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone | Yellow shaded portion of map | No season | No season | Oct. 11 -Oct. 13 | Sept. 13 - Dec. 7 | No season |
| Orange shaded portion of map | No season | Sept. 13 - Oct. 24 | Oct. 11 -Oct. 13 | Oct. 25 - Dec. 7 | Oct. 18 - Oct. 24 | |
| Southern Zone | Light blue shaded portion of map | No season | Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 | Oct. 11 -Oct. 13 (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C) | Nov. 15 - Dec. 7 | Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 |
| Green shaded portion of map | Sept. 6 – Sept. 21 | Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 | Oct. 11 -Oct. 13 | Nov. 15 - Dec. 7 | Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 | |
| Westchester County (WMU 3S) | Dark blue shaded portion of map | No season | No season | No season | Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 (bow and crossbow only) | No season |
Note: Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons. Early Season bear hunters may use a bow or crossbow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility), muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle (where allowed).
Future Big Game Hunting Seasons
Many sportsmen like to know when future big game season dates will occur so they can plan accordingly. You can determine when future big game season dates will occur in New York from the table below.
| Northern Zone | Bear | Adirondacks (WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H, and 6J) | Regular 1st Saturday after the 2nd Monday in September through the Sunday immediately following the 1st Saturday in December. |
| Western Periphery (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N) | Early Bowhunting The 1st Saturday after the 2nd Monday in September through the Friday immediately preceding the regular season. | ||
| Early Muzzleloading 7 consecutive days beginning on the 1st Saturday after Columbus Day. | |||
| Regular 2nd Saturday after Columbus Day through the Sunday immediately following the 1st Saturday in December. | |||
| Deer | Early Bowhunting September 27 through the Friday immediately preceding the regular season. | ||
| Early Muzzleloading 7 consecutive days beginning on the 1st Saturday after Columbus Day. | |||
| Regular 44 consecutive days beginning on the 2nd Saturday after Columbus Day. | |||
| Late Bow and Muzzleloading (some WMUs) 7 consecutive days immediately following the regular season. | |||
| Southern Zone | Bear | Early Firearms (some WMUs) 16 consecutive days beginning the 1st Saturday after Labor Day | |
| Early Bowhunting October 1 through the Friday immediately preceding the regular season. | |||
| Regular 23 consecutive days beginning the 3rd Saturday in November. | |||
| Late Bow and Muzzleloading 9 consecutive days immediately following the regular season. | |||
| Deer | Early Antlerless (some WMUs) 9 consecutive days beginning the 2nd Saturday of September | ||
| Early Bowhunting October 1 through the Friday immediately preceding the regular season. | |||
| Regular 23 consecutive days beginning the 3rd Saturday in November. | |||
| Late Bow and Muzzleloading 9 consecutive days immediately following the regular season and December 26 through January 1. | |||
| Northern and Southern Zone | Deer and Bear | Youth (ages 12-15) 3 consecutive days beginning on the Saturday of Columbus Day Weekend | |
| Westchester County | Deer and Bear | Regular (bow and crossbows only) October 1 through December 31 | |
| Suffolk County | Deer | Regular (bow and crossbows only) October 1 through January 31 | |
| Special Firearms Season The 1st Sunday in January through January 31. | |||
Note: The Youth Firearms Season for deer and bear always occurs over Columbus Day Weekend.
