New York Hunting Seasons & Licensing: What You Need To Know (2024)

If you're a New Yorker who enjoys hunting, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest hunting seasons and licensing information.

In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the different types of licenses available, as well as the dates for each hunting season. Stay safe and have fun out in the field!

Hunting In New York

New York is more than just the city that never sleeps. New York hunting seasons provide opportunities for both resident and nonresident hunters to bag deer, black bear, wild turkey, and small game.

Nonresidents must produce proof of hunter education or a previous hunting license, as well as proof of identity, when purchasing a hunting license in New York. For both residents and non-residents, junior weapons and bow hunting permits are available.

Hunting harvests can be reported online or over the phone. The state conservation website also allows hunters to search for approved public and private hunting lands.

For take technique, New York uses hunting zones, each with its own start and end dates for the season. Before heading out into the woods, be sure you understand which zones and dates apply to your firearm.

New York Deer Seasons

Early Bowhunting/Bowhunting Only	Sept. 27-Jan. 31**
Crossbow	Oct. 13-Nov. 19**
Regular Firearms	Oct. 23-Dec. 12**
Late Bowhunting	Dec. 6-Jan. 1**
Muzzleloading	Oct. 16-Jan. 1**

**Season dates vary by zone. New York State has multiple zones with various dates. For specific dates within your region, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.

New York Black Bear Seasons

Youth Firearms	Oct. 9-11
Early Bear	Sept. 18-Oct. 15**
Archery/Bowhunting	Sept. 18-Dec. 21**
Muzzleloading	Oct. 16-Dec. 21**
Firearms	Oct. 23-Dec. 12**

**Season dates vary by zone. New York State has multiple zones with dates can even vary within the zone based on area, or by take method. For specific dates within your region, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.

New York Wild Turkey Seasons

Fall Turkey	Oct. 1-Dec. 3**
Spring Turkey	Youth: Apr. 23-24 General: May 1-31

**Season dates vary by zone. For specific dates within your region, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.

New York Small Game Seasons

Bobwhite Quail	Oct. 1-Feb. 28**
Rabbit	Oct. 1-Mar. 21**
Pheasant	Oct. 16-Feb. 28**
Ruffed Grouse	Sept. 20-Feb. 28**
Squirrel	Long Island: Nov. 1-Feb. 28 Elsewhere: Sept. 1-Feb. 28
Varying Hare	Oct. 1-March 20**
Racoon, Fox, Skunk, Opossum, Weasel	Long Island: Nov. 1-Feb. 25 Elsewhere: Oct. 25-Feb. 15
Coyote	Oct. 1-Mar. 27

How To Get A Hunting License In New York?

Depending on your age, you may be required to have the Hunter Education Certificate in order to legally buy a license or permit to hunt.

Complete the New York hunter education certification requirements.
Choose the correct license type.
Buy the license through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website or a New York–approved agent.

New York License Expiration

Hunting licenses are good from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 of the next year. New York residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting license.

Where to Buy a New York Hunting License

Visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.
Call 1-866-933-2257.
Visit an approved license agent.

**Season dates vary by zone. For specific dates within your region, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.

Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for New York hunting seasons vary based on animal and seasons. For more information on obtaining licenses, permits and regulations, visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.