State Guide

New York Hunting Guide

Complete New York hunting guide. New York hunting seasons, license costs, bag limits, and regulations for all major game species. Updated for the current season.

Wildlife Agency

New York State DEC Bureau of Wildlife

Official Site

Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers

New York Hunting Seasons

Whitetail Deer

Res: $22 Non-res: $100

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Archery	Sep 27	Nov 17
Rifle	Nov 18	Dec 10
Muzzleloader	Dec 11	Dec 19

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2-3 depending on WMU

Rifle hunting restricted in some counties (shotgun only in Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau). Deer Management Permits for antlerless deer.

Turkey

Res: $22 Non-res: $100

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	May 1	May 31
Archery	Oct 1	Oct 20

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring), 1 (fall)

Spring bearded turkey. Fall season in most WMUs. Strong Eastern turkey populations. Youth hunt weekend in April.

Bear

Res: $22 Non-res: $100

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Rifle	Nov 18	Dec 10
Archery	Sep 27	Nov 17
Muzzleloader	Dec 11	Dec 19

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1

Open in designated WMUs — Catskills, Adirondacks, and Allegany regions. Growing black bear population.

Duck/Waterfowl

Res: $22 Non-res: $100

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Oct 7	Jan 13

Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit

Federal duck stamp and NY waterfowl stamp required. Atlantic Flyway. Lake Ontario, Finger Lakes, and Long Island are productive.

Pheasant

Res: $22 Non-res: $100

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Oct 1	Feb 28

Bag limits: daily: 2, season: No limit

Primarily stocked birds on state lands. Wild populations limited. Western New York has historically better populations.

Planning Tools

Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
Season Tag Planner — never miss an opening day
Preference Point Tracker — when should you burn your points?

New York Hunting Guides

destinations

New York Deer Hunting: Catskills, Adirondacks, and Big Bucks

New York Hunting FAQ

Do I need a hunting license in New York?

Yes. All hunters in New York must hold a valid hunting license from the New York State DEC Bureau of Wildlife. Non-residents typically pay higher fees. A hunter safety course is required for first-time license buyers.

What is the hunting license cost in New York?

New York license costs vary by species. Whitetail Deer: resident $22, non-resident $100. Turkey: resident $22, non-resident $100.

When is deer season in New York?

New York deer seasons: Archery: Sep 27 - Nov 17, Rifle: Nov 18 - Dec 10, Muzzleloader: Dec 11 - Dec 19.

Does New York require a hunter safety course?

Yes, New York requires hunter education certification for all first-time hunters. The course covers firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and ethical hunting practices.

Who manages hunting regulations in New York?

The New York State DEC Bureau of Wildlife manages all hunting licenses, regulations, and wildlife management in New York. Their website (https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting) has current season dates, license purchasing, and regulation booklets.