(WNY News Now) – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that the state’s most popular big game season begins on Saturday, Nov. 18. DEC encourages hunters to review safety regulations to enhance their hunting experience.
NY – “This weekend, hundreds of thousands of big game hunters will head afield for the chance to harvest deer or bear in New York’s Southern Zone while enjoying time with family and friends in the great outdoors,” said Commissioner Seggos. “I wish all hunters a safe and successful hunting season and encourage these outdoor adventurers and those visitors sharing the woods to put safety first and wear blaze orange or pink to see and be seen.”
The 2023-24 regular deer and bear hunting seasons in New York’s Southern Zone begin on Saturday, Nov. 18 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 10. The Southern Zone regular season is New York’s most popular hunting season, with participation from about 85 percent of New York’s 550,000 licensed hunters. Harvest during 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 hunting seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will run from Dec. 11 through Dec. 19, and again from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Hunters taking part in these late 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. 21 and closes Dec. 3. A late bowhunting and muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 4 to 10.
Daily hunting hours for deer and bear include the full daylight period, beginning 30 minutes before sunrise and continuing until 30 minutes after sunset. Hunters should check the sunrise and sunset times before hunting each day.
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