DEC: Northern Zone Bow Hunting Seasons underway

Bow hunting season across New York’s Northern Zone commenced over the weekend, while the Southern Zone will open up for bow season come October 1.

Starting this hunting season, hunters in New York State may now use a crossbow in the same seasons, places, and manner as a vertical bow for hunting deer and bear.

Crossbows have been used throughout most of New York, in both rural and developed areas, for more than a decade, but until now New York State law limited the locations, times, and types of crossbows that could be used.

Remember, in order to hunt deer and bear with a crossbow during New York’s bow-hunting seasons, a hunter must have a hunting license and bow-hunting privilege.

"Bow-hunters enjoy tremendous opportunities here in New York, and those opportunities are even better now that crossbows can be used during the entire bow season and in bow-hunting-only areas,” Commissioner Amanda Lefton said.

“Late summer weather, fall foliage, and plentiful big game populations combine to create outstanding conditions. It’s an exciting time of year.”

Hunters are reminded that the application deadline for Deer Management Permits (DMPs) is Oct. 1. Prior to applying for a DMP, hunters should be prepared with the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) they intend to hunt.

Additionally, New York's annual Youth Big Game Hunt occurs October 11-13 for junior hunters (hunters aged 12-15) accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. Only the junior hunter may carry a firearm during the youth hunt.

The Youth Big Game Hunt takes place throughout the State, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bow-hunting-only areas.

Licensed 12- to 13-year-old hunters may only take deer with a firearm in counties that participate in the youth pilot program. Though junior hunters may have multiple deer tags, they may only take one deer with a firearm during the Youth Big Game Hunt.

Antlerless deer taken with a firearm may be tagged with a regular season tag, DMP, or a Deer Management Assistance Program tag, while antlered deer may only be tagged with the regular season tag.

NYS DEC image.