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.
2026-2027
Answers to commonly asked questions are available: 2026 Hunting Rule Changes Q & A
Modifications to Deer Management Permit (DMP) application and issuance process
A second pathway for DMP issuance now allows hunters to apply for up to four DMPs, two in WMUs with a quota and two in WMUs with no quota.
Unlimited Transfer of DMPs
An unlimited number of DMPs can now be transferred between hunters
Expanded September season for antlerless deer
Wildlife Management Units 3P, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8H, 8R, 8S, and 9G now also have a nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September.
Earn-a-2nd-Buck system
All hunters will now receive a first Antlered Deer Tag upon hunting license purchase which can be used during any season (with appropriate privileges), except the September antlerless deer season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a valid antlerless deer tag (DMP, Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag, Deer Management Assistance Program Tag, etc.) will now be eligible to receive a second Antlered Deer Tag, which can be used during those same seasons. Hunters who purchase bowhunting and muzzleloading privileges will now receive a Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag for each privilege.
2025-2026
Answers to commonly asked questions are available: 2025 Hunting Rule Changes Q & A (PDF)
Electronic Tagging
Hunters now have the choice to obtain a paper license and tags or use the HuntFishNY mobile app as electronic proof of licensure and possession of tags for deer, bear, or turkey.
Harvest Reporting
E-tag users must report immediately after harvesting a deer, bear, or turkey through the HuntFishNY mobile app. Paper tag users must report their harvest within 48 hours (no longer 7 days) through DEC’s website, the HuntFishNY mobile app, or calling 1-866-426-3778.
Crossbow
Crossbows may be used wherever and whenever bowhunting occurs. To hunt deer and bear with a crossbow during the bowhunting seasons, a hunter must have a hunting license and bowhunting privilege. To be eligible to purchase a bowhunting privilege, a hunter must have bowhunter education certification which is available through the online or in-person course.
Youth Hunt Bonus Tags
Youth hunters (ages 12-15) who successfully take and report a deer taken with their regular season tag during the Youth Big Game Hunt weekend and who do not possess other antlerless tags for the regular firearms season will be issued a bonus tag for the regular season. The bonus regular season tag will be valid for deer of the opposite sex as was harvested during the youth hunt. DEC will mail the bonus tag to the successful hunter, probably in early November.
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.
