New York Hunting & Fishing
Season Calendar 2026

Oct 1–Nov 21 and Dec 12–Dec 20

New York firearms deer season runs Nov 22–Dec 12 in the Southern Zone; legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and handguns. Centerfire rifles are legal in most of New York State except specific Long Island and New York City zones. Hunters must possess a valid New York State hunting license and deer tags — both regular season deer tags and antlerless permits are available through the DEC system. Blaze orange is strongly recommended (not legally required) during firearms season. New York's Southern Tier agricultural belt and Catskill foothills produce outstanding trophy whitetails during late November firearms season.

New York muzzleloader deer season runs Oct 14–Oct 22 in the Northern Zone and runs separately in the Southern Zone — check DEC zone-specific dates. Only legal muzzleloading firearms are permitted: front-loaded single-shot designs with separate powder and projectile. Inline muzzleloaders are legal. Hunters must possess a valid New York hunting license and deer license. October muzzleloader season in the Adirondack and Catskill regions catches bucks in pre-rut with active rub-making and early scraping behavior. A separate muzzleloader season also runs after the general firearms season in late November; verify Northern and Southern Zone dates in the current DEC regulation guide.

2 gobblers

New York black bear season runs Oct 21–Nov 28 in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Hudson Valley Bear Management Units; hunters must possess a valid New York State hunting license and a bear permit issued through the DEC license system. The bag limit is one bear per license year. Legal methods include firearms, archery, and crossbows during overlapping season windows. Black bears may not be hunted with bait or hounds in New York. The Adirondack Bear Management Unit holds the highest density population; the southern tier Catskill region has expanding populations. Bear activity peaks during October mast foraging before denning.

New York pheasant season opens Oct 17 and runs through Nov 28 on public hunting areas; New York DEC operates one of the largest pheasant stocking programs in the East, releasing over 200,000 birds annually. Hunters must possess a valid New York hunting license. Daily bag limit is two roosters; hens are protected. Pheasant hunting on State Game Lands and WMAs is available during stocking windows on designated hunting days. The Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley regions have the most active stocking programs with concentrated public hunting access. Wild pheasant populations are minimal — nearly all hunting opportunity involves stocked birds.