DEC Reminder: Southern Tier regular Hunting Season opens Saturday, November 18

With the end of rifle season in New York’s Northern Zone drawing nearer, the New York State DEC reminds that regular hunting season in the Southern Tier opens on Saturday, November 18.

DEC officials say hunters and outdoor enthusiasts should be aware the Holiday Deer Hunt is an extension of both the late bow and muzzleloader season from December 26 – January 1 in the Southern Zone.

The Southern Tier regular hunting season wraps up on December 10, while the Northern Zone concludes on December 3.

For those new to the sport of hunting, legal shooting hours statewide for deer and bear are 30-minutes before official sunrise until 30-mintues after sunset.

Furthermore, 12 and 13-year-old hunters may now hunt deer and other big game with a rifle, muzzleloader or a crossbow, as long as they are accompanied by a licensed adult hunter (at-least 21-years-old with a minimum of 3-years’ experience afield).

Nearly all counties statewide opted in to this new regulation, with the exception of a few regions near Buffalo, Albany and the greater metropolitan area near New York City.

New York State DEC image.