When does deer season start in New York?

October 1, 2025 is the first listed deer opener for New York; it is firearm (regular) - bow and crossbow only white-tailed deer Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026.

When is New York's firearm deer season?

Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026 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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New York Deer Season 2025-26

New York deer season dates start with Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.

Quick answer

New York's listed 2025-26 firearm deer season runs Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026.

Regular Season White-tailed Deer opens Oct 1, 2025 and closes Jan 31, 2026.

Archery (Bowhunting) - Late 2 White-tailed Deer opens Dec 26, 2025 and closes Jan 1, 2026.

The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to New York DEC.

Last verified: June 15, 2026 · Source: New York DEC

Deer

33 listed rows

White-tailed Deer

Early Antlerless

Closed

—

Sep 13-21, 2025

Bow and crossbow only. 9 consecutive days beginning 2nd Saturday of September.

Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)

White-tailed Deer

Early Antlerless

Closed

—

Sep 13-21, 2025

9 consecutive days beginning 2nd Saturday of September. WMUs 4J and 8C bow and crossbow only.

Zone: Southern Zone - WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, 9F (firearms, bows, crossbow); WMUs 4J, 8C (bow and crossbow only)

White-tailed Deer

Early Antlerless

Closed

—

Sep 13-21, 2025

Bow and crossbow only. 9 consecutive days beginning 2nd Saturday of September.

Zone: Westchester County (WMU 3S)

White-tailed Deer

Early Antlerless

Closed

—

Sep 13-21, 2025

WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, 9F: firearms, bows, crossbow. WMUs 4J, 8C: bow and crossbow only. 9 consecutive days beginning the 2nd Saturday of September.

Zone: Southern Zone (WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, 9F - firearms, bows, crossbow; WMUs 4J, 8C - bow and crossbow only)

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Bowhunting)

Closed

—

Sep 27-Oct 24, 2025

Primary bow season. Additional late bow: Dec. 8 - Dec. 14 in WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only.

Zone: Northern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Bowhunting

Closed

—

Sep 27-Oct 24, 2025

Also Dec. 8 - Dec. 14 for WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.

Zone: Northern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Firearm (Regular) - Bow and Crossbow Only

Closed

—

Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Bow and crossbow only. October 1 through January 31.

Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Bowhunting)

Closed

—

Oct 1-Nov 14, 2025

Primary bow season. Also Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Firearm (Regular) - Bow and Crossbow Only

Closed

—

Oct 1-Dec 31, 2025

Bow and crossbow only. October 1 through December 31.

Zone: Westchester County (WMU 3S)

White-tailed Deer

Regular Season

Closed

—

Oct 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Bow and crossbow only.

Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)

White-tailed Deer

Regular Season

Closed

—

Oct 1-Dec 31, 2025

Bow and crossbow only.

Zone: Westchester County (WMU 3S)

White-tailed Deer

Bowhunting

Closed

—

Oct 1-Nov 14, 2025

Also Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.

Zone: Southern Zone

Show 21 more deer rows

White-tailed Deer

Youth Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 11-13, 2025

Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.

Zone: Northern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Youth Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 11-13, 2025

Not in WMUs 4J or 8C. Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Youth Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 11-13, 2025

Youth ages 12-15. Columbus Day Weekend. Not in WMUs 4J or 8C.

Zone: Southern Zone (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C)

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader

Closed

—

Oct 18-24, 2025

Early muzzleloading: 7 consecutive days beginning 1st Saturday after Columbus Day. Additional late muzzleloading Dec. 8 - Dec. 14 in WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only.

Zone: Northern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Firearm (Regular)

Closed

—

Oct 25-Dec 7, 2025

44 consecutive days beginning 2nd Saturday after Columbus Day.

Zone: Northern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearms

Closed

—

Oct 25-Dec 7, 2025

44 consecutive days beginning on the 2nd Saturday after Columbus Day.

Zone: Northern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Firearm (Regular)

Closed

—

Nov 15-Dec 7, 2025

23 consecutive days beginning 3rd Saturday in November.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Regular Firearms

Closed

—

Nov 15-Dec 7, 2025

23 consecutive days beginning the 3rd Saturday in November.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Bowhunting) - Late 1

Closed

—

Dec 8-16, 2025

Late bow season, 9 days immediately following regular season.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader - Late 1

Closed

—

Dec 8-16, 2025

Not in WMUs 4J or 8C. 9 days immediately following regular season.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Bowhunting) - Late

Closed

—

Dec 8-14, 2025

Late bowhunting season in select WMUs only.

Zone: Northern Zone - WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader - Late

Closed

—

Dec 8-14, 2025

Late muzzleloading season in select WMUs only.

Zone: Northern Zone - WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only

White-tailed Deer

Bowhunting Late

Closed

—

Dec 8-16, 2025

Also Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloading Late

Closed

—

Dec 8-14, 2025

Late muzzleloading extension for select WMUs only.

Zone: Northern Zone (WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only)

White-tailed Deer

Bowhunting Late

Closed

—

Dec 8-14, 2025

Late bow extension for select WMUs only. Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.

Zone: Northern Zone (WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H only)

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader

Closed

—

Dec 8-16, 2025

Not in WMUs 4J or 8C. 9 consecutive days immediately following the regular season.

Zone: Southern Zone (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C)

White-tailed Deer

Archery (Bowhunting) - Late 2

Closed

—

Dec 26, 2025-Jan 1, 2026

Second late bow period, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloader - Late 2

Closed

—

Dec 26, 2025-Jan 1, 2026

Not in WMUs 4J or 8C. Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Bowhunting Late

Closed

—

Dec 26, 2025-Jan 1, 2026

Crossbows may be used during all bowhunting seasons.

Zone: Southern Zone

White-tailed Deer

Muzzleloading Late

Closed

—

Dec 26, 2025-Jan 1, 2026

Not in WMUs 4J or 8C.

Zone: Southern Zone (Not in WMUs 4J or 8C)

White-tailed Deer

Special Late Firearms

Closed

—

Jan 4-31, 2026

Special Permit Required. 1st Sunday in January through January 31.

Zone: Suffolk County (WMU 1C)