New York 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
New York's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027.
Regular (Bow-only) White-tailed Deer opens Oct 1, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
Early Firearms Black Bear opens Sep 12, 2026 and closes Sep 27, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to New York DEC.
- firearm deer
- Oct 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
- archery deer
- Oct 1-Dec 31, 2026
- bear
- Sep 12-27, 2026
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with New York DEC before hunting.
Deer
17 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Special Firearms
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Special Firearms season in Northern Zone
Zone: Northern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Special Firearms
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Special Firearms season in Southern Zone
Zone: Southern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Early Antlerless
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Early Antlerless season in Northern Zone
Zone: Northern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Early Antlerless
Sep 12-20, 2026
Firearms and bows in WMUs 3M, 3P, 3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G. Bow-only in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.
Zone: Southern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Early Antlerless
Sep 12-20, 2026
Bow-only
Zone: Westchester County (WMU 3S)
White-tailed Deer
Early Antlerless
Sep 12-20, 2026
Bow-only
Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)
White-tailed Deer
Bowhunting
Sep 27-Oct 23, 2026
Additional late bowhunting Dec. 7 - Dec. 13 in WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.
Zone: Northern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Regular (Bow-only)
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Bow-only
Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)
White-tailed Deer
Bowhunting
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Seasons: Oct. 1 - Nov. 20, Dec. 14 - Dec. 22, Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.
Zone: Southern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Regular (Bow-only)
Oct 1-Dec 31, 2026
Bow-only. No Youth Firearms, Muzzleloading, or Special Firearms season.
Zone: Westchester County (WMU 3S)
White-tailed Deer
Youth Firearms
Oct 10-12, 2026
Not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J or 8C. Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.
Zone: Southern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Youth Firearms
Oct 10-12, 2026
Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.
Zone: Northern Zone
Show 5 more deer rows
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Oct 17-23, 2026
Additional late muzzleloading Dec. 7 - Dec. 13 in WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only.
Zone: Northern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearms
Oct 24-Dec 6, 2026
Zone: Northern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearms
Nov 21-Dec 13, 2026
Zone: Southern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 14, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Dec. 14 - Dec. 22 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J or 8C.
Zone: Southern Zone
White-tailed Deer
Special Firearms
Jan 3-31, 2027
Special Permit Required
Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)
Bear
16 listed rowsBlack Bear
Early Firearms
Sep 12-27, 2026
Early season hunters may use bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle (where allowed).
Zone: Southern Zone - Green shaded
Black Bear
Regular Firearms
Sep 19-Dec 6, 2026
No Early or Bowhunting or Muzzleloading season in this area.
Zone: Northern Zone - Yellow shaded (Adirondacks WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H, 6J)
Black Bear
Bowhunting
Sep 19-Oct 23, 2026
Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.
Zone: Northern Zone - Orange shaded (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N)
Black Bear
Bowhunting
Oct 1-Dec 22, 2026
Seasons: Oct. 1 - Nov. 20, Dec. 14 - Dec. 22. Not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J or 8C for Youth Firearms. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.
Zone: Southern Zone - Light blue shaded
Black Bear
Regular (Bow-only)
Oct 1-Dec 31, 2026
Bow-only. No Early, Youth Firearms, or Muzzleloading season.
Zone: Westchester County (WMU 3S) - Dark blue shaded
Black Bear
Bowhunting
Oct 1-Dec 22, 2026
Seasons: Oct. 1 - Nov. 20, Dec. 14 - Dec. 22. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.
Zone: Southern Zone - Green shaded
Black Bear
Youth Firearms
Oct 10-12, 2026
Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.
Zone: Northern Zone - Orange shaded (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N)
Black Bear
Youth Firearms
Oct 10-12, 2026
Not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J or 8C.
Zone: Southern Zone - Light blue shaded
Black Bear
Youth Firearms
Oct 10-12, 2026
Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.
Zone: Southern Zone - Green shaded
Black Bear
Youth Firearms
Oct 10-12, 2026
Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.
Zone: Northern Zone - Yellow shaded (Adirondacks WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H, 6J)
Black Bear
Muzzleloader
Oct 17-23, 2026
Zone: Northern Zone - Orange shaded (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N)
Black Bear
Regular Firearms
Oct 24-Dec 6, 2026
Zone: Northern Zone - Orange shaded (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N)
Show 4 more bear rows
Black Bear
Regular Firearms
Nov 21-Dec 13, 2026
Zone: Southern Zone - Green shaded
Black Bear
Regular Firearms
Nov 21-Dec 13, 2026
Zone: Southern Zone - Light blue shaded
Black Bear
Muzzleloader
Dec 14-22, 2026
Zone: Southern Zone - Green shaded
Black Bear
Muzzleloader
Dec 14-22, 2026
Zone: Southern Zone - Light blue shaded
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New York Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in New York?
September 27, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for New York; it is bowhunting white-tailed deer Sep 27-Oct 23, 2026.
When is New York's firearm deer season?
Oct 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027 is the listed firearm deer window for New York. Check zone and permit details with New York DEC before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in New York?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for New York yet. Check New York DEC for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in New York?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate New York hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with New York DEC.
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