With the start of New York's most popular big game seasons just days away, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging hunters to be safe, have fun, enjoy the environment, and consider passing-up shots on young bucks. The regular firearms seasons for deer and bear begin Nov. 17.
"New York's deer and bear populations are great resources for the state, and I'm proud to once again kick off the Southern Zone season in New York," said DEC Commissioner Seggos. "Regulated hunting of deer and bear is one of the most important conservation efforts New Yorkers engage in each year, and contributes greatly to the regional economy. The opening of the Southern Zone regular season is a cherished time for many New York families, drawing friends and relatives together for a weekend in the woods to share stories and make memories. I wish all hunters a safe and successful season."
DEC encourages New York hunters to voluntarily pass up shots at young, small-antlered bucks in favor of letting them grow to be older, larger bucks.
"Hunters are making a difference for the future of the deer herd, and this change in hunting habits will increase their likelihood of seeing older, larger bucks by choosing to Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow," said Commissioner Seggos.
The 2018 regular deer and bear hunting seasons in New York's Southern Zone begin at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 17, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 9. The Southern Zone regular season is New York's most popular hunting season, with an estimated 85 percent of New York's nearly 600,000 licensed hunters participating. This season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30 to 60 percent of the statewide bear harvest.
Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons run from Dec. 10 through Dec. 18. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess a hunting license and either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges.
In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 20 and will close at sunset on Dec. 2. The Northern Zone includes the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain, and the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys. A late bowhunting and muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9.
Already this year, hunters are reporting solid success. Hunters have reported more deer and bear taken in the Northern Zone and similar numbers of deer and bear taken in the Southern Zone compared to this time in 2017.
