New York Deer Season 2026-27: Northern and Southern Zones

Southern Zone deer seasons

Northern Zone deer seasons

The Northern Zone regular season opens four weeks before the Southern Zone and closes a week earlier.

Youth hunt, Westchester and Suffolk

New for 2026-27: Earn-a-2nd-Buck

New York adopted new rules to raise the antlerless harvest, since does drive population growth.

• Every hunter gets one Antlered Deer Tag with the hunting license, usable in any season except the September antlerless season.
• Taking and reporting an antlerless deer on a valid antlerless tag earns a second Antlered Deer Tag.
• Bowhunting and muzzleloading privileges each include a Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag.

Deer Management Permits

• A DMP is good for one antlerless deer in its Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). It is the only deer tag that can be transferred to another hunter.
• For 2026, 23 WMUs have unlimited DMPs: 1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F and 9G. Every applicant receives a permit, and each reported antlerless harvest on a DMP triggers a Bonus DMP for the same WMU.
• The same 23 WMUs have the early antlerless season, Sept. 12, 2026 to Sept. 20, 2026, expanded to 10 new WMUs this year.

Antler restrictions

In WMUs 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S and 4W in southeastern New York, a buck must have at least one antler with 3 or more points, each at least 1 inch long. Hunters 12 to 16 are exempt. Elsewhere, a legal antlered deer has at least one antler 3 inches or longer.

Where firearms are restricted

• Westchester County (WMU 3S): bows and crossbows only, Oct. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026.
• Suffolk County (WMU 1C): bows and crossbows only in the regular season. A special firearms season runs Jan. 3, 2027 to Jan. 31, 2027 and requires a landowner endorsement, and sometimes a town permit.
• WMUs 4J and 8C: bows and crossbows only during the regular and bowhunting seasons.
• Rockland County (most of WMU 3R): rifles are prohibited in every season.
• Nassau County and New York City are closed to deer and bear hunting.
• Statewide, rimfire ammunition is prohibited for deer.

Bows and crossbows

Bows and crossbows may be used in both the bowhunting and regular seasons. Bowhunting seasons require a bowhunting privilege. Bows need a draw weight of at least 35 pounds, and broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch wide with two or more sharp cutting edges. Barbed broadheads are prohibited.

Fluorescent orange or pink

Hunters using a firearm for deer or bear, and anyone with them, must wear above the waist and visible from all directions one of: at least 250 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink, patterned clothing with 250 square inches that is at least 50 percent orange or pink, or a hat or cap at least 50 percent solid orange or pink.

Hunting hours

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Sunday hunting is allowed statewide.

Frequently asked questions

When does deer season open in New York?

The regular season opens Oct. 24, 2026 in the Northern Zone and Nov. 21, 2026 in the Southern Zone. Bowhunting opens earlier: Sept. 27, 2026 in the Northern Zone and Oct. 1, 2026 in the Southern Zone.

When does rifle season end in New York?

The regular season closes Dec. 6, 2026 in the Northern Zone and Dec. 13, 2026 in the Southern Zone. Late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons follow.

What is Earn-a-2nd-Buck in New York?

New for 2026-27. Every hunter gets one Antlered Deer Tag with the license. After taking and reporting an antlerless deer on a valid antlerless tag, the hunter becomes eligible for a second Antlered Deer Tag, which cannot be used in the September antlerless season.

When is the youth deer hunt in New York?

Oct. 10, 2026 to Oct. 12, 2026, for hunters 12 to 15 with an experienced licensed adult. Hunters 12 and 13 may take part only in counties that allow it.

Do you have to wear orange to hunt deer in New York?

Yes, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm, and so does anyone with you: at least 250 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, patterned clothing with that much at 50 percent orange or pink, or a hat at least 50 percent solid orange or pink.

Can you hunt deer on Sunday in New York?

Yes. Sunday hunting is allowed statewide. Check the rules for state lands before you go.

Deer season in other states

Texas · Pennsylvania · Michigan · Wisconsin · Ohio · Georgia · Missouri · Minnesota · Indiana · Virginia · North Carolina · Kentucky · Tennessee · Alabama. Compare every state on the deer season dates by state page.

Duck seasons are on the New York duck season page, and turkey seasons on the New York turkey season page.

Always check the DEC regulations and the Hunt Planner for your WMU before hunting.