Firearms season begins this weekend for bear and deer in New York’s Southern Zone, which includes much of central, western New York and the Hudson Valley.
The season begins Saturday, Nov. 15 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 7, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“This November, hundreds of thousands of big game hunters will head afield to enjoy the outdoors and a chance to harvest deer or bear in New York’s Southern Zone,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a news release. “As stewards of hunting traditions and New York’s deer population, all hunters should keep their conservation responsibilities as a top priority while enjoying time afield.”
Among those, she said, are following safe hunting practices and protecting the health of New York State’s deer population by harvesting antlerless deer and preventing the spread of deer diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is a fatal brain disease in deer that spreads quickly and is basically impossible to eliminate once established.
No matter whether you are seeking a deer or a bear, hunters must follow state guidelines regarding when and where hunting is permitted within certain zones of the state.
You’ll also need to wear and carry certain gear and obtain a state hunting license. Here is more on what you need to know about the upcoming season:
When does deer hunting season start in NY?
Hunting dates are split up by zone, with the earliest overall season located in the northern zone, which covers the Adirondack region and North Country of New York. Here are remaining dates of the 2025 season:
Northern Zone
Southern Zone
The early antlerless season runs from Sept. 14 to 22 through specific regions of the Southern Zone, including in parts of the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse area.
Westchester County
Suffolk County
When is black bear hunting season in NY?
Northern Zone
Southern Zone
Westchester County
When are hunting hours in NY?
Legal hunting hours start 30 minutes before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
What are New York’s rules for hunting?
Do you need a hunting license in NY to hunt deer?
Yes and no. It depends on where you are hunting, according to the DEC.
You will need a hunting license if you are:
You do not need a hunting license if you are:
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Here’s when deer, bear hunting season begins and ends in New York state in 2025
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
