New York Laws
Title 9 - Hunting
11-0907 - Deer and Bear; Open Hunting Seasons; Bag Limits.

(2) A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing the holder
to hunt deer during a special archery season and the regular open season
and who has taken a deer by longbow in the regular open season for deer
in Westchester or Suffolk counties may, in addition to the limit of one
deer in a license year otherwise applicable, take during the same
license year additional deer as specified by department regulation
during such Westchester or Suffolk county regular open deer season.
e. A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing the holder
to hunt deer during a special muzzle-loading season and the regular open
season and who has taken a deer by muzzle-loading firearm in a
muzzle-loading season and who has not taken a deer in a regular open
season may, in addition to the limit of one deer in a license year
otherwise applicable, take during the same year additional deer as
specified by department regulation in a special muzzle-loading season
following the close of the regular deer season.
2. Regular seasons. * a. Regular open hunting seasons for deer are
established separately for the named regions or parts of regions, or
named counties listed in column one of the table set forth in this
subdivision, and are specified as seasons for taking by pistol, rifle,
shotgun or long bow, or for taking by shotgun, crossbow or long bow
only, or for taking by long bow only, as indicated in column three
entitled "Manner of Taking". Where taking of big game by shotgun is
permitted by this chapter such shotgun may contain rifling in all or a
portion of the barrel, provided, however, if the barrel or a portion
thereof does contain rifling only shells having non-metallic cases,
except for the base, may be used. In the areas identified in column one
except in the "closed areas" specified in subdivision five of this
section the game specified in column two may be taken in the open season
stated in column two immediately following the specification of the
game, in the manner specified in column three.

TABLE

Column One Column Two Column Three
Area Game and Open Season Manner of Taking

(a) Northern Zone Deer, next to last Pistol, rifle,
Saturday in October shotgun, crossbow
through first Sunday or long bow
in December

(b) Catskill region Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,

except Delaware, after November 15 shotgun, crossbow
Greene, Sullivan, through first Tuesday or long bow
Ulster counties after December 7
and those counties
or portions thereof
listed in item (i)
of this paragraph

(c) Counties of Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,
Delaware, Greene, after November 15 shotgun, crossbow
Sullivan and Ulster through first Tuesday or long bow
after December 7

** (d) Eastern region, Deer, first Monday Pistol, shotgun,
except Albany, after November 15 crossbow,
Columbia, Fulton, through first Tuesday muzzle loading
Orange, Rensselaer, after December 7 firearm or
Saratoga, Schenectady, long bow only
Washington Counties
and those counties
or portions thereof
listed in item (i)
of this paragraph
** NB Effective until October 1, 2024

** (d) Eastern region, Deer, first Monday Pistol, shotgun,
except Columbia, after November 15 crossbow,
Fulton, Orange, through first Tuesday muzzle loading
Rensselaer, Saratoga, after December 7 firearm or
Schenectady, long bow only
Washington Counties
and those counties
or portions thereof
listed in item (i)
of this paragraph
** NB Effective October 1, 2024

(e) Fulton, Saratoga, Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,
Schenectady, after November 15 shotgun, crossbow
Washington (parts through first Tuesday or long bow
in the Southern after December 7
zone), Columbia,
Orange, and
Rensselaer
counties

** (f) Southern tier, Deer, first Pistol, shotgun,
central and Western Monday after November crossbow,
region, except those 15 through first muzzle loading
counties or portions Tuesday after firearm or
thereof listed in December 7 long bow only
item (i), (j), (k),
(l), (m), (n) or (o)
of this paragraph
** NB Effective until October 1, 2024

** (f) Southern tier, Deer, first Pistol, shotgun,
central and Western Monday after November crossbow,

region, except those 15 through first muzzle loading
counties or portions Tuesday after firearm or
thereof listed in December 7 long bow only
item (i), (j), (k),
(l), (m), (n) of
this paragraph
** NB Effective October 1, 2024

(g) Westchester Deer of either sex, long bow only
County November 1 through
December 31

(h) Suffolk County Deer of either sex long bow only
Second Monday in
November through
March thirty-first

(i) The counties of Deer, the first Monday Pistol, shotgun,
Allegany, Cattaraugus, after November 15 crossbow,
Cayuga, Chautauqua through first Tuesday muzzle loading
except that portion after December 7 firearm, rifle or
of the county north long bow only
of route 20, Chemung,
Chenango, Herkimer,
Madison,
Montgomery, Oneida,
Oswego, Otsego,
Schoharie, Schuyler,
Steuben, Tioga,
Wyoming, Seneca
and Yates
and that portion of
the county of
Broome east of the
Susquehanna river

(j) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,
Genesee after November 15 crossbow, muzzle
through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow

(k) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Ontario Saturday after November crossbow,
15 through first Sunday muzzle loading
after December 7 firearm, rifle or
long bow only

(l) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Wayne Saturday after November crossbow,
15 through first Sunday muzzle loading
after December 7 firearm, rifle
or long bow only

** (m) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Albany Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
15 through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow

only
** NB There are 2 item (m)'s
** NB Repealed October 1, 2024

** (m) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,
Livingston after November 15 crossbow, muzzle
through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow
** NB There are 2 item (m)'s

** (n) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Broome west of the Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
Susquehanna river 15 through first Sunday loading firearm,
except within the after December 7 rifle or long bow
city of Binghamton
** NB There are 2 item (n)'s

** (n) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,
Orleans after November 15 crossbow, muzzle
through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow
** NB There are 2 item (n)'s

** (o) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Tompkins Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
15 through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow
** Repealed October 1, 2024

* NB Effective until December 31, 2024
* a. Regular open hunting seasons for big game are established
separately for the named regions or parts of regions, or named counties
listed in column one of the table set forth in this subdivision, and are
specified as seasons for taking by pistol, rifle, shotgun or long bow,
or for taking by shotgun or long bow only, or for taking by long bow
only, as indicated in column three entitled "Manner of Taking". Where
taking of big game by shotgun is permitted by this chapter such shotgun
may contain rifling in all or a portion of the barrel, provided,
however, if the barrel or a portion thereof does contain rifling only
shells having non-metallic cases, except for the base, may be used. In
the areas identified in column one except in the "closed areas"
specified in subdivision 5 the game specified in column two may be taken
in the open season stated in column two immediately following the
specification of the game, in the manner specified in column three.

TABLE

Column One Column Two Column Three
Area Game and Open Season Manner of Taking

(a) Northern Zone Deer and bear, next Pistol, rifle,
to last Saturday in shotgun,
October through first crossbow
Sunday in December or long bow

(b) Catskill region Deer and bear, first Pistol, rifle,
except Delaware, Monday after shotgun,
Greene, Sullivan, November 15 through crossbow

Ulster counties first Tuesday after or long bow
and those counties December 7
or portions thereof
listed in item (i)
of this paragraph

(c) Counties of Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,
Delaware, Greene, after November 15 shotgun,
Sullivan and Ulster through first Tuesday crossbow
after December 7; or long bow
Bear, first Monday
after November 15
through second
Tuesday after
December 7

(d) Eastern region, Deer and bear, Pistol, shotgun,
except Columbia, first Monday after crossbow, muzzle
Fulton, Orange, November 15 through loading firearm
Rensselaer, Saratoga, first Tuesday after or long bow only
Schenectady, December 7
Washington Counties
and those counties
or portions thereof
listed in item (i)
of this paragraph

(e) Fulton, Saratoga, Deer and bear, first Pistol, rifle,
Schenectady, Monday after November shotgun,
Washington (parts 15 through first crossbow
in the Southern Tuesday after or long bow
zone), Columbia, December 7
Orange, and
Rensselaer
counties

(f) Southern tier, Deer and bear, first Pistol, shotgun,
central and Western Monday after November crossbow, muzzle
region, except those 15 through first loading firearm
counties or portions Tuesday after or long bow only
thereof listed in December 7
item (i), (j), (j),
(k), (l) ** or (m)**
of this paragraph
** NB "or (m)" expires October 1, 2024

(g) Westchester Deer of either sex, Long bow only
County November 1 through
December 31

(h) Suffolk County Deer of either sex long bow only
Second Monday in
November through
March thirty-first

(i) The counties of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Allegany, Cattaraugus, first Monday after crossbow,
Chautauqua except November 15 through muzzle loading

that portion of the first Tuesday after firearm, rifle or
county north of route December 7 long bow only
20, Chenango,
Herkimer, Montgomery,
Oneida, Oswego,
Otsego, Schoharie,
Tioga and Wyoming
and that portion
of the county
of Broome east of the
Susquehanna river

** (j) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Ontario first Saturday after crossbow,
November 15 through muzzle loading
first Sunday after firearm, rifle or
December 7 long bow only
** NB There are 2 item (j)'s

** (j) The county of Deer and bear, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Wayne Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
15 through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow
only
** NB There are 2 item (j)'s

(k) The county of Deer and bear, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Livingston Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
15 through first Sunday loading firearm,
after December 7 rifle or long bow

** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Broome west of the first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle
Susquehanna river November 15 through loading firearm,
except within the first Sunday after rifle or long
city of Binghamton December 7 bow only
** NB There are 4 item (l)'s

** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Genesee first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle
November 15 through loading firearm,
first Sunday after rifle or long
December 7 bow only

** NB There are 4 item (l)'s

** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Seneca Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
15 through first loading firearm,
Sunday after rifle or long
December 7 bow only
** NB There are 4 item (l)'s

** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Orleans first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle
November 15 through loading firearm,
first Sunday after rifle or long
December 7 bow only

** NB There are 4 item (l)'s

** (m) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Tompkins first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle
November 15 through loading firearm,
first Sunday after rifle or long
December 7 bow only
** NB Repealed October 1, 2024

* NB Effective December 31, 2024
* b. Regular open hunting seasons for bear are fixed by regulation
pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903. The implements allowed for
bear hunting will be the same as those allowed for deer hunting as
listed in column three of the table set forth in paragraph a of this
subdivision.
* NB Expires December 31, 2024
3. Special archery seasons.
* a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth in
subdivision 2 of this section, except Westchester and Suffolk Counties
in which a regular open season for taking deer by firearms is
established and effective, a special open season is established for
taking deer of either sex, by the use of a long bow only by holders of a
hunting license with a valid bowhunting privilege.
* NB Effective until December 31, 2024
* a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth in
subdivision 2 of this section, except Westchester and Suffolk Counties
in which a regular open season for taking deer by firearms is
established and effective, a special open season is established for
taking deer of either sex, and bear, by the use of a long bow only by
holders of a hunting license with a valid bowhunting privilege.
* NB Effective December 31, 2024
* b. Such special open deer hunting season for each area shall be from
October 15 through the day immediately preceding the regular open season
for deer stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision 2,
except that in the Northern Zone each special season shall be from
September 27 through the Friday immediately preceding the next to last
Saturday in October, and in the Southern Zone such special season shall
also include the five days following the closing of the regular open
season.
* NB Effective until December 31, 2024
* b. Such special open season for each area shall be from October 15
through the day immediately preceding the regular open season for deer
stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision 2, except
that in the Northern Zone each special season shall be from September 27
through the Friday immediately preceding the next to last Saturday in
October, and in the Southern Zone such special season shall also include
the five days following the closing of the regular open season.
* NB Effective December 31, 2024
* c. A similar special open bear hunting season may be fixed by
regulation pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903.
* NB Expires December 31, 2024
4. a. "Northern Zone" and "Southern Zone" are defined in section
11-0103.
b. "Catskill region" means that part of the Southern Zone consisting
of the counties of Greene, Sullivan, Ulster; those parts of Broome and
Chenango counties easterly of the Susquehanna River from its junction
with the Unadilla River at the Chenango-Otsego County boundary line to a
point where it intersects the New York-Pennsylvania line; that part of

Otsego County south of the main line tracks of the Delaware and Hudson
Railroad Company; and those parts of Delaware and Schoharie counties
lying south and west of a line beginning at the intersection of the main
line tracks of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company with the
Otsego-Schoharie County line to the village of Richmondville, thence
south on Route 10 to its intersection with Route 23 in the village of
Stamford, thence easterly along Route 23 to its intersection with
Schoharie County Route 342 thence easterly along Schoharie County Route
342 to its intersection with Schoharie County Route 3; thence easterly
along Schoharie County Route 3 to the Albany-Schoharie County line.
c. "Eastern region" means that part of the Southern Zone easterly of a
continuous line formed by the Susquehanna river commencing at its
intersection with the New York-Pennsylvania boundary in the town of
Windsor in Broome county to its confluence with the Unadilla river, by
the Unadilla river from its confluence with the Susquehanna river to its
intersection with the Herkimer-Otsego county boundary, by the
Otsego-Herkimer county boundary and by the Oneida-Herkimer county
boundary to the Northern Zone, except (1) the "Catskill region" defined
in paragraph b and (2) Westchester county.
d. "Southern tier, central and western region" means that part of the
Southern Zone lying westerly of the continuous line described in
paragraph c.
5. Closed areas. The following areas are closed to the taking of deer
and bear:
a. In Monroe County, the area bounded and described as follows: On the
west by Route 261 (Manitou Road) beginning at Manitou Beach on Lake
Ontario in the town of Greece and continuing southerly along such road
to its intersection with the Barge Canal, thence easterly along such
canal to East Avenue in the village of Pittsford, thence northeasterly
along East Avenue to Allen Creek in the town of Brighton, thence
northerly along Allen Creek to Irondequoit Creek, thence northerly along
Irondequoit Creek to Irondequoit Bay, thence northerly along the
easterly shore of Irondequoit Bay to Lake Ontario; except that deer of
either sex may be taken during the regular and special deer hunting
seasons provided for in this title by the use of a longbow by holders of
licenses which authorize the holder to hunt deer during a special
archery season and provided further that this exception permitting the
taking of deer by a longbow shall not apply within an area in the town
of Greece bounded and described as follows: On the west by Long Pond
Road beginning at Latta Road and continuing southerly along such road to
its intersection with Maiden Lane, thence easterly along Maiden Lane to
its intersection with Mt. Read Blvd., thence northerly along Mt. Read
Blvd. to its intersection with Latta Road, thence westerly along Latta
Road to its intersection with Long Pond Road at the point of beginning.
b. In Erie County, the area bounded by a continuous line beginning at
the point of confluence of the east branch of the Niagara River and the
Tonawanda Creek, and from said point of beginning easterly along the
south bank of Tonawanda Creek to its intersection with highway 78,
thence southerly along highway 78 to its intersection with Greiner Road,
thence easterly along Greiner Road to its junction with highway 268,
thence southerly along highway 268 to its intersection with highway 5,
thence westerly along highway 5 to its junction with Ransom Road, thence
southerly along Ransom Road to its intersection with highway 33, thence
westerly along highway 33 to its intersection with highway 78, thence
southerly along highway 78 to its intersection with highway 20, thence
southwesterly along highway 20 to its intersection with highway 20-a,
thence westerly along the extension of highway 20-a to Lake Erie, thence

northerly along the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River to the
place of beginning.
c. Nassau County.
d. In Herkimer county, town of Webb, the area bounded by a continuous
line beginning at the intersection of the Judson Road and the
Herkimer-Hamilton county boundary line, thence westerly to the Higby
road, continuing southwesterly to its intersection with the Big Moose
road (Herkimer county highway 1), thence north and westerly along the
Big Moose road to its intersection with the Martin road and easterly
along the Martin road to its end, thence back to the lake shore and back
along and around the shore of Big Moose lake (starting westerly) to the
Herkimer-Hamilton county boundary on the shore and then south along the
boundary line ending at the Judson road, the point of beginning.
e. In Herkimer and Hamilton counties, the area bounded by a continuous
line beginning at the junction of the South Shore Road and Route 28 in
the village of Old Forge and extending northeasterly along Route 28 to
the hamlet of Inlet and thence southwesterly along the South Shore Road
to the point of beginning.
7. Areas restricted to long bow only.
a. The area described in this subdivision is closed to the taking of
deer and bear by firearms, but shall be open for taking deer by the use
of a longbow only by holders of licenses which authorize the holders to
hunt deer during a special archery season as follows: during the special
deer season stated in subdivision 3 of this section and during the
regular season stated in subdivision 2 of this section, deer of either
sex may be taken.
b. This subdivision applies to that area in Albany county east of the
Penn Central West Shore railroad starting at the Schenectady county line
in the town of Guilderland and continuing to its confluence with the
Penn Central Hudson River connecting railroad, thence along such Penn
Central Hudson River connecting railroad until it meets Route 32 in
Feura Bush and northeast on Route 32 to its juncture with Feura Bush
road, then east along Feura Bush road to its juncture with Route 144 in
Glenmont, then south along Route 144 to the Vlaman Kill, then east along
the Vlaman Kill to the Hudson river.
8. Muzzle-loading firearm big game season.
a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth in
subdivision two of this section, except those areas restricted to
special seasons for taking deer by longbow only, special open seasons
may be established by regulation for taking deer and/or bear, by the use
of muzzle-loading firearms, of not less than .44 caliber shooting a
single projectile, or by the use of a crossbow, by the holders of a
hunting license with a valid muzzle-loading privilege.
b. Such special open season for the Southern Zone shall be for the
seven day period immediately preceding the regular open season for deer
stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision two of this
section, except that the department may, by regulation, fix such open
season in the Southern Zone or any portion thereof to be either the
seven days immediately preceding or immediately following the regular
open season for deer, provided, however, that any taking of deer or bear
by the use of a crossbow in a season or special season in which the
muzzle loader is the only firearm permitted shall succeed the regular
open hunting season for deer established pursuant to subdivision two of
of this section.
c. Until December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-four, such special
season for the Northern Zone or any portion thereof may by regulation be
for up to a fourteen-day period preceding the regular open season for
deer stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision 2 of

this section or may be for up to a fourteen-day period following such
open season or any combination thereof, provided that a maximum of
sixteen days is not exceeded for any open area. Regulations establishing
such Northern Zone muzzle-loading firearm big game season may specify
the taking of deer of either sex, antlerless deer only, legal bucks
only, or any combination thereof, and may require that persons
participating in the Northern Zone muzzle-loading firearm big game
season obtain a special permit from the department. When establishing
these regulations, the department must consider the condition of the
herd and communities', property owners', hunters' and other relevant
interests.
9. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, big
game may be taken on any day of the week during open season or a special
season in those parts of New York state east of a line starting at the
juncture of the shore of Lake Ontario and West Bay road; then southerly
along West Bay road to Route 104A; then easterly along Route 104A to
Route 38; then southerly along Route 38 to the New York State Thruway
Interstate 90 at Port Byron; then southwesterly along Interstate 90 to
Route 90 near Montezuma; then southerly along Route 90 to Route 20; then
westerly along Route 20 to the east bank of Seneca River; then southerly
along the east bank of Seneca River to the east shore of Cayuga Lake;
then southerly along the east shore of Cayuga Lake to Cayuga Creek; then
southerly along the east bank of Cayuga Creek to Route 96 in Ithaca;
then southerly along Route 96 to Sabin Road in Spencer; then southerly
and westerly along Sabin Road to Dean Creek Road; then southwesterly
along Dean Creek Road to Route 34; then southerly along Route 34 to the
Pennsylvania boundary.
10. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, or any prior
notwithstanding language in this article, the department may, by
regulation, authorize the taking of big game by the use of a crossbow by
any licensed person in any big game season in any area designated in
items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (k) and (l) of paragraph a of
subdivision two of this section in which a shotgun or muzzle loader is
permitted provided however, that any crossbow use during an archery-only
season shall only take place during the last fourteen consecutive days
of such archery-only season in the southern zone provided that such
archery-only season shall consist of not less than forty-five days and
only during the last ten consecutive days of any archery-only season in
the northern zone provided that such archery-only season shall consist
of no less than twenty-three days. Any muzzle loading season which
occurs at the same time as a special archery season may only occur
during times when crossbows are authorized to be used.