DEC announces 2026 big game hunting seasons in October

Hunters reminded of new regulations to increase harvest of antlerless deer 

Press release & graphic by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton reminded big game hunters that a variety of New York state deer and bear hunting seasons begin in October.

“Each year, New York’s big game hunters highly anticipate the October start of deer and bear hunting seasons,” Lefton said. “There are several changes to deer hunting regulations in place for the 2026 hunting seasons, and I encourage all hunters to review the new regulations before heading safely afield this fall.” 

October big-game season opening dates

Throughout most of the southern zone, the early bowhunting season for deer began Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 20. The early bowhunting season for deer in the northern zone opened Sept. 27 and will run through Oct. 23. The early muzzleloading season for deer in the northern zone opens Oct. 17 and runs through Oct. 23. Lastly, the regular firearms season for deer in the northern zone opens Oct. 24 and runs through Dec. 6. 

Throughout most of the southern zone, the early bowhunting season for bear opened Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 20. In the northern zone, the early bowhunting season for bear opened Sept. 19 and will run through Oct. 23 in wildlife management units (WMUs) 6A, 6G, 6K and 6N. The early muzzleloading season for bear opens Oct. 17 and runs through Oct. 23 in WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K and 6N. The regular firearms season for bear opened Sept. 19 and runs through Dec. 6 in WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H and 6J, and opens Oct. 24 and runs through Dec. 6 in WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K and 6N.

Visit DEC’s hunting and trapping seasons web page for full season information. 

Youth firearms hunt

New York's 2026 youth firearms big game hunt (youth hunt) occurs Oct. 10-12 for youth hunters aged 12-15. The youth hunt takes place throughout the state, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. Licensed 12- to 13-year-old hunters may only participate in counties that passed a local law allowing such participation. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. A map of county participation for 12- and 13-year-olds and additional rules for the youth hunt can be found on DEC’s youth big game hunting webpage. 

New regulations to increase harvest of antlerless deer

Deer populations are growing in many areas of New York to levels that are detrimental to deer, wildlife habitats, the hunting experience, and the public. Female antlerless deer, or does, are the primary driver of deer population growth. It is essential that enough does are harvested by hunters each year to ensure a healthy and balanced deer population. 

In 2026, DEC adopted new deer hunting regulations to increase harvest of antlerless deer. Under the new regulations, deer hunters can earn a second antlered deer tag by harvesting and reporting an antlerless deer. All hunters will receive a first antlered deer tag upon hunting license purchase which can be used during any season (with appropriate privileges), except the September antlerless deer season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a valid antlerless deer tag (deer management permit, bow/muzzleloader antlerless deer tag, deer management assistance program tag, etc.) will receive a second antlered deer tag, which can be used during those same seasons. Hunters who purchase bowhunting and muzzleloading privileges will receive a bow/muzzleloader antlerless deer tag for each privilege. 

The new regulations also expanded the number of WMUs that have unlimited/bonus deer management permits (DMPs). For the 2026 deer hunting seasons, 23 WMUs have unlimited DMPs (1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7J, 7H, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F and 9G). Hunters can apply for unlimited DMPs at any time throughout the hunting season, and all hunters who apply will receive them. DMPs in these WMUs will be immediately replaced with a bonus DMP upon each harvest report of an antlerless deer.

Hunters can also transfer their DMPs (including bonus DMPs) to other hunters, but DMPs can only be transferred using paper tags. Hunters who submit a harvest report for an antlerless deer using a transferred DMP will receive the bonus DMPs and/or a second antlered deer tag generated under DEC’s earn-a-2nd-buck system. 

Hunters are encouraged to donate whole deer or venison portions to those in need through one of DEC’s participating deer processors. DEC partners with the New York State Department of Health and Feeding New York State to cover the processing costs for donated deer/venison. 

For more information about DEC's big game hunting seasons, recent changes to hunting regulations, and hunter safety information, visit DEC's website.