The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding hunters that bowhunting seasons are about to begin across the state, with new rules expanding the use of crossbows.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced that in the Northern Zone, deer season opened Saturday, while in the Southern Zone, bowhunting for deer and bear begins Oct. 1. The Northern Zone bowhunting season for bear began earlier this month, on Sept. 13.
“Bowhunters enjoy tremendous opportunities here in New York, and those opportunities are even better now that crossbows can be used during the entire bow season and in bowhunting-only areas,” Lefton said. “Late summer weather, fall foliage, and plentiful big game populations combine to create outstanding conditions. It’s an exciting time of year.”
For fall 2025, hunters may now use a crossbow in the same seasons, places, and manner as a vertical bow when hunting deer and bear. Until now, New York law restricted when and where crossbows could be used.
The new law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, removes most of those restrictions, including minimum width and maximum draw weight requirements. Officials say the change will make hunting more accessible, particularly in suburban areas, and provide a more effective tool for deer management.
Deer Management Permit (DMP) Deadline
Hunters are reminded that the application deadline for Deer Management Permits (DMPs) is Oct. 1.
Prior to applying for a DMP, hunters should be prepared with the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) they intend to hunt. The DMP Availability and Probability of Selection webpage has more information regarding DMP availability and chances of being selected in each WMU.
Youth Big Game Hunt
New York’s annual Youth Big Game Hunt occurs Oct. 11-13 for junior hunters (hunters aged 12-15) accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. Only the junior hunter may carry a firearm during the youth hunt.
The Youth Big Game Hunt takes place throughout the State, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. Licensed 12- to 13-year-old hunters may only take deer with a firearm in counties that participate in the youth pilot program. Though junior hunters may have multiple deer tags, they may only take one deer with a firearm during the Youth Big Game Hunt. Antlerless deer taken with a firearm may be tagged with a regular season tag, DMP, or a Deer Management Assistance Program tag, while antlered deer may only be tagged with the regular season tag.
Additional rules that apply to junior hunters and their adult mentors can be found on pages 44 and 45 of the Hunting and Trapping Guide or on DEC’s Youth Firearms Hunting webpage.
Help Needed with Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling
In fall 2024, DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) confirmed Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive deer facility in the town of Columbia in southern Herkimer County. CWD is always fatal in deer, moose, and elk. AGM took immediate action to depopulate and test the infected captive herd and investigate risks associated with other captive deer facilities. Simultaneously, DEC responded aggressively to test for CWD presence among wild deer in the area.
DEC has not found CWD in wild deer in the area. More testing is needed, and DEC is requesting that hunters in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, or Winfield in Herkimer County, and the town of Richfield in Otsego County submit the head of all deer they harvest. See CWD Sampling for drop box locations in each town.
Venison Donation Program
Big game hunters are reminded that they can help feed the hungry donating all or part of their harvested deer through cooperating processors or by making a monetary contribution to the Venison Donation Program at any license-issuing outlet.
To reduce the potential for lead fragments in venison, hunters are encouraged to follow “best practices” when processing their deer. To eliminate the risk, donate deer taken with bow or crossbow or use lead-free ammunition. For more information on best practices for venison processing or lead-free ammunition, visit DEC’s website.
For more information about DEC’s big game hunting seasons, recent rule changes, and hunter safety information including new requirements to wear hunter orange or pink, go to DEC’s website.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
