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Field Guide  /  State Hunting Guide

The Guide to the New York Hunting Seasons 2025

Author Image for Teri Williams

9 Minute Read

By Teri Williams  on 3/21/2024

The bright lights of New York City aren’t the only things that shine in New York! If you live in New York state, you know that hunting is one of the most popular ways people get outdoors for some recreation. It’s also a popular place for non-residents to hunt, drawing more than 50,000 out-of-state hunters each season.

Besides fame and fortune, what can you hunt in New York? It’s an ideal area for hunting whitetail, waterfowl, turkey, and even bears. 

Before you head for a hunt, you’ll need to research open season dates, how to get a license, and bag limits. So, we’ve compiled a guide to the New York hunting seasons for 2025.

Plus, we’ll help you find and mark the best spots to hunt throughout the state so you know the best places to find the game you’re after. Keep reading for the HuntWise guide to hunting in New York.  

Updated February 25, 2025

A map of the United States highlight New York, represents New York hunting concept.

Why Do Hunters Hunt in New York?

As we mentioned, it’s one of the best ways to get outdoors. Whether you hunt deer annually or prefer a wild turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, hunting in New York definitely delivers an excellent experience. 

The state is almost home to 6,000-7,000 black bears, so if a trophy hunt is on your list of to-dos this year, planning a bear hunt in New York could be the adventure you’re looking for. 

However, if you prefer smaller game, there are plenty of ducks, geese, and furbearers to harvest.  

Where Should I Hunt?

We don’t recommend hunting in Times Square. 

You’ll want to venture out of the city and explore New York’s hilly terrain and lowlands around the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. You’ll also have good success in the swamps and forests throughout the state. 

The state offers various Wildlife Management Areas, Forest Preserves, and State Parks and Forests for public-area hunting. Additionally, 85 percent of the land is privately owned, with a majority of landowners offering private land hunting opportunities throughout the season. 

Depending on the game you plan to hunt this season, HuntWise can help you target (and mark) the best hunting areas. So, when it’s time for deer, bear, or turkey season, you already know where to go for a more successful day in the field. 

 

A bear eating grass in a field, New York hunting seasons concept.

When Can I Hunt?

Paying close attention to season open and close dates (and hunting areas) is crucial to make sure you hunt legally throughout the season. If you’re ready to get your license and tags and plan your hunt, here’s the info you need for the hunting season NY offers this year. 

Note: some dates below are updated for 2025. As the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) provides additional dates for 2025-2026, we'll update this resource. 

 

New York State Dear Hunting Season

Deer hunting in New York takes place within different hunting zones. You’ll also choose season dates based on how you hunt (firearm, bow, or muzzleloader). 

Northern Zone

  • Early Bowhunting: September 27 – October 25
  • Crossbow: October 16 – 25 
  • Regular Season: October 26 – December 8
  • Late Bowhunting (WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only): December 9 – 15
  • Muzzleloader: 
    • Deer of Either Sex: October 19 – 25 and December 9 – 15
    • Antlered Only: October 19 – 25
  • Youth Firearms: October 12 – 14

Southern Zone

  • Early Bowhunting: October 1 – November 15
  • Crossbow (Except in WMUs 4J or 8C): November 2 – 15 
  • Early Antlerless: September 14 – 22 (Firearms, Bow, and Crossbow based on WMUs)
  • Regular Season: November 16 – December 8
  • Late Bowhunting: December 9 – 17 and December 26 – January 1
  • Muzzleloader: 
    • Deer of Either Sex: December 9 – 17 and December 26 – January 1
  • Youth Firearms: October 12 – 14

Westchester County (WMU 3S)

  • Early Antlerless (Bow Only): September 14 – 22
  • Regular (Bow Only): October 1 – December 31

Suffolk County (WMU 1C)

  • Early Antlerless (Bow Only): September 14 – 22
  • Regular (Bow Only): October 1 – January 31
  • Special Late Firearms (Permit Required): January 5 – 31, 2025

Turkey

Turkey season dates are also based on different hunt areas throughout the state, as noted by the colored shading. 

  • 2025 Spring Season (All Areas Except White): 
    • General: May 1 – 31, 2025
    • Youth: April 26 – 27, 2025
  • Fall Season:
    • Yellow areas: October 1 – 14
    • Light Blue Areas: October 19 – November 1
    • Orange Areas: November 16 – 29

Black Bear Season

Check the Black Bear hunting map for the season dates for specific color-shaded areas within Zones. 

Northern Zone

  • Yellow Areas:
    • Regular Season: September 14 – December 8
    • Youth Firearms: October 12 – 14
       
  • Brown Areas:
    • Bowhunting: September 14 – October 25
    • Youth Firearms: October 12 – 14
    • Crossbow: October 16 – 25
    • Regular Season: October 26 – December 8
    • Muzzleloading: October 19 – 25

Southern Zone

  • Orange Areas:
    • Bowhunting: October 1 – November and December 9 – December 17
    • Youth Firearms: October 12 – 14
    • Crossbow: November 2 – 15
    • Regular Season: November 16 – December 8
    • Muzzleloading: December 9 – 17
       
  • Green Areas:
    • Early: September 7 – 22
    • Bowhunting: October 1 – November 15 and December 9 – December 17
    • Youth Firearms: October 12 – 14
    • Crossbow: November 2 – 15
    • Regular Season: November 16 – December 8
    • Muzzleloading: December 9 – 17

Westchester County (Light Blue)

  • Bowhunting and Regular: October 1 – December 31Virginia Turkey Season
  • Fall Season:
    • Archery: October 5 – November 15
    • Youth and Apprentice: October 12 – 13
    • Firearms: Dates vary between October 19 – January 25 (confirm dates based on specific counties and cities) 
  • Spring Season (Statewide): April 12 – 27 and April 28 – May 17 

Waterfowl

  • Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days
    • Western, Northeast, Lake Champlain, Southeast: September 28 – 29
    • Long Island: November 9 – 10
       
  • Veteran and Active Military Waterfowl Hunting Days
    • Western: November 9 – 10
    • Northeast and Southeast: September 28 – 29
    • Lake Champlain: No special season
    • Long Island: November 16 – 17
       
  • Ducks, Coots, Mergansers:
    • Western Zone: October 12 – November 3 and December 7 – January 12, 2025
    • Northeast: October 12 – December 1 and December 14 – 22
    • Lake Champlain: October 12 – November 3 and November 23 – December 29
    • Southeast: October 12 – 20 and November 9 – December 29
    • Long Island: November 23 – December 1 and December 7 – January 26, 2025
       
  • Scaup:
    • Western Zone: December 24 – January 12
    • Northeast: November 21 – December 1
    • Lake Champlain and Southeast: December 10 – 29
    • Long Island: January 7 – 26
       
  • Snow Geese:
    • Western, Northeast, and Southeast: October 1 – April 15
    • Lake Champlain and Southeast: October 1 – December 31 and January 16 – April 15, 2025
    • Long Island: November 25 – March 10, 2025
       
  • Brant:
    • Western, Northeast, Lake Champlain, Southeast: October 12 – November 10
    • Long Island: December 28 – January 26, 2025
       
  • Canada Goose:
    • Western: October 5 – 20, November 23 – December 1, and December 7 – February 22, 2025
    • Northeast: September 1 – 25, October 26 – November 15, and November 23 – December 1
    • West Central: September 1 – 25, November 9 – 24, and January 11 – 24, 2025
    • Lake Champlain: September 1 – 25, October 12 – November 10, December 1 – January 19, 2025
    • East Central: September 1 – 25, October 26 – November 15, and November 23 – December 1
    • Hudson Valley: September 1 – 25, October 27 – November 9, and December 21 – January 5, 2025
    • South: September 1 – 25, October 26 – November 15, and November 23 – January 19, 2025
    • Central: September 1 – 25, November 23 – December 1, and December 7 – February 5, 2025
    • Eastern: September 1 – 25 and December 3 – January 31, 2025

 

Webless Migratory Birds

  • Upstate New York: 
    • Woodcock: October 1 – November 14
    • Crow: September 1 – March 31, 2025
    • Snipe: Sept 1 – November 9
    • Virginia & Sora Rails: Sept 1 – November 9
    • Clapper and King Rail: Closed
    • Gallinules: Sept 1 – November 9
       
  • Long Island: 
    • Woodcock: October 1 – November 14
    • Crow: September 1 – March 31, 2025
    • Snipe: Closed
    • Virginia & Sora Rails: Closed
    • Clapper and King Rail: Closed
    • Gallinules: Closed

Small Game

  • Grouse:
    • Yellow Areas: September 20 – February 28, 2025
    • Light Blue Areas: October 1 – February 28, 2025 
  • Quail:
    • Yellow Areas: October 1 – February 28, 2025
    • Light Blue Areas: November 1 – December 31 
  • Rabbit:
    • Yellow Areas: October 1 – March 16, 2025
    • Light Blue Areas: October 1 – February 28, 2025
    • Orange Areas: November 1 – February 28, 2025
  • Pheasant:
    • Green Areas (Regular): October 19 – December 31
    • Green Areas (Youth Hunt): October 12 – 13
       
    • Light Blue Areas (Regular): October 19 – February 28, 2025
    • Light Blue Areas (Youth Hunt): October 12 – 13
       
    • Yellow Areas (Regular): October 1 – February 28, 2025
    • Yellow Areas (Youth Hunt): September 28 – 29
       
    • Orange and Blue Areas (Regular): November 1 – December 31
    • Orange Areas (Youth Hunt): October 26 – 27 
  • Squirrel:
    • Yellow Areas: September 1 – February 28, 2025
    • Light Blue Areas: November 1 – February 28, 2025

Coyote

  • Statewide: October 1 – March 30, 2025
 

 

For additional information about these species (and others) and the latest details for hunting seasons and locations in New York, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website. You can also check with eRegulations for New York hunting information.

 

A whitetail buck calls, New York hunting seasons concept.

What Do I Need to Know About New York Hunting Regulations and Licenses?

Anyone twelve or older who hunts in New York needs a hunting license. Licenses are specific to age groups and how you hunt (bow or gun). Additionally, depending on what you hunt (small vs. big game), you’ll need the right permit for those hunts. 

What Are the Bag Limits for the New York Hunting Seasons?

How many bears, deer, or quails can you bring home this season? To comply with hunting regulations for the state of New York, make sure you know the bag limits for everything you plan to hunt. 

 

DeerBased on the tag and seasonGallinules8 per day (24 in possession)
Turkey

1 of either sex (Fall)
 

2 bearded birds (Spring)
1 bearded bird (Youth)

Woodcock3 per day (9 in possession) 
Grouse4 per daySnipe8 per day (24 in possession)
Quail4-6 per day (10 or 40 in possession), depending on the hunting areaCrowNo limit
Pheasant2 or 6 per day (30 in possession), depending on the hunting area Ducks, Seaducks, Mergansers6 per day (18 in possession)
Cottontail Rabbit6 per dayCoots15 per day (45 in possession)
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Fox)6 totalCanada Goose2-15 per day (depending on the hunting area)
Virginia and Sora Rails8 per day (24 in possession)Snow Geese25 per day (no possession limit)
King and Sora RailsClosedBrant1 per day (3 in possession)
  CoyoteNo limit

 

For additional information and details about bag limits for deer, bear, and other species, visit the New York State DEC website. 

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

A hunter safety certification is required for first-time hunters using firearms. If you’re a first-time bowhunter, you’ll also need a bowhunter education course before you can get your license.

You’ll also need the right gear! From clothing to optics, odor control, spotting scopes, binoculars, and more, HuntWise users can save hundreds on gear from our app partners. 

 

Close-up of a phone screen in a hunter's hands showing HuntWise, New York hunting season dates concept.

Tag Out During the New York Hunting Seasons with HuntWise

We know you’re excited to get out in the field! We hope this information is helpful for a safe and happy hunting season in New York. 

As you make your plans and gather your gear, make sure you’ve downloaded the HuntWise app. It provides up-to-date information on hunting in New York, including state regulations and season and license information. 

You’ll also be able to plan your hunt more strategically to gain an advantage over other hunters this year and increase your chances of tagging out. Use the Hunt Area & Custom Markers to select (or draw) and label your hunt areas on a map. Then, choose from hundreds of unique markers to identify landmarks, infrastructures, animal activity, and more. 

Download the app today and start your free trial! Enjoy free access to every feature for a week – so you’re ready to hunt when the season opens.

 

Content and season dates reviewed and updated February 25, 2025.

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