New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that bowhunting seasons for deer and bear will begin in the Northern Zone on Sept. 27 and in the Southern Zone on Oct. 1.
“New York provides great opportunity for the state’s more than 160,000 licensed bowhunters to venture outside during early bow seasons, which offer mild weather and longer days in the woods,” Commissioner Seggos said. “It’s also the perfect time to introduce new hunters to deer and bear hunting. With abundant apples and good crops of acorns and beechnuts across the state this year, hunters will do well to key in on concentrated food sources for early season success with deer and black bear.”
Deer Management Permit Deadline is Oct. 1
The deadline to apply for deer management permits (DMPs; antlerless tags) is fast approaching, and hunters must apply for DMPs by Oct. 1. Hunters should know the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) they intend to hunt and review their chances of selection before applying. The application fee for DMPs is $10. The fee is waived for junior hunters and Lifetime License holders who purchased a Lifetime (Sportsman) License before Oct. 1, 2009. Hunters who have purchased a hunting license are eligible to apply for up to two DMPs that may be used to harvest antlerless deer from a specified WMU. Antlerless deer harvest is crucial in helping to balance the deer herd with available habitat.
Hunters who still need to pick up their license and permits for the 2019-20 seasons can do so at any one of DEC’s 1,300 license issuing outlets, by phone at 866-933-2257, or online through the DECALS website.
Youth Big Game Hunt
New York’s annual Youth Big Game Hunt is scheduled for Columbus Day weekend,
