2011-2012 Hunting and Trapping Guide - New York State Envirothon

New York 

H unting 

&trapping 

2 0 1 1 – 1 2 O F F I C I A L G U I D E t o L A w s & R E G U L A t I O n s 

V O L U m e 5 , I s s U E n O . 1 , O c t o b E R 2 0 1 1 

New for 2011-12 

Crossbow Hunting 

Expanded Bear 

Seasons 

page 12 

Remember to 

Report Your 

Game Harvest 

www.dec.ny.gov 

1-866-426-3778 

New York State Department 

of Environmental Conservation 


Most regulations are in effect 

October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012

2 0 1 1 2– 0 11 – 21 2 Ne w e Yw o r kY o r k 

2011–12 Highlights Of Changes 12 

General Hunting Information 8–19 

8............... DEC Regional Offices/ 

Important Phone Numbers 

12 ............ Crossbow Hunting 

14–17 ..... Licensing Information 

16 ............ Hunters with Disabilities 

17 ............ Hunter Education Information 

18–19 ..... Hunting Regulations 

19 ............ Reporting Your Game Harvest 

Big Game Hunting 20–33 

20–22 ..... General Big Game Rules and Regulations 

20 ............ Long Island Deer Hunting 

20–21 ..... Tagging and Transporting 

21 ............ Determining Future Big Game Season Dates 

22 ............ Muzzleloading and Bowhunting 

24 ............ Big Game Boundary Descriptions 

24 ............ Legal Implements 

25 ............ Deer Hunting Season Dates 

26 ............ How and When to Use Your Deer Carcass Tags 

28–30 ..... Deer Management Permits 

29 ............ How to Fill Out Your Carcass Tag 

31 ............ Chronic Wasting Disease 

32–33 ..... Bear Hunting 

34–35 ..... Youth Hunting Opportunities 

Small Game Hunting 38–41 

38 ............ General Regulations 

38 ............ Use of Hunting Dogs 

38 ............ Falconry 

38 ............ Reptiles and Amphibians 

39 ............ Possession and Release of Game Birds 

40–41 ..... Small Game Season Dates and Bag Limits 

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Content s 

Turkey Hunting 42–45 

42–45 ..... General Regulations and Reporting Information 

44 ............ Season Dates and Bag Limits 

Migratory Game Bird Hunting 46–49 

46 ............ General Regulations and Tagging Information 

46 ............ Special Snow Goose Season 


Furbearer Hunting 51 

51 ............ Hunting Furbearers at Night 


Furbearer Trapping 51–56 

51 ............ Furbearer Possession Tag 

52 ............ Trapping License Information 

52–56 ..... General Regulations and Tagging Information 


55–56...... Body-Grip Traps and Trigger Specifications 

Hunting Areas Information 58–59 

58 ............ Private Lands/State Lands 

59 ............ Licensed Guides 

Environmental Conservation 

Officers 60–63 

60 ............ Q&As 

61 ............ Gallery 

62–63 ..... Contact Information 

Regional Maps 64–71 

Conservation Fund Advisory Board 72 

Sunrise/Sunset Table 73 

State Of New yOrk 

Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor 

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 

Joe Martens, Commissioner 

Christopher Amato, Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources 

Patricia Riexinger, Director, Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources 

Gordon Batcheller, Chief, Bureau of Wildlife 

Bryan Swift, Section Head, Wildlife Services 

Mary Bailey, Editor 

Where to Write Us: 

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 

Wildlife Services 

625 Broadway 

Albany, NY 12233-4754 

Website: www.dec.ny.gov 

Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources Mission: 

The mission of the DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources is to 

serve the interests of current and future generations of New Yorkers by using our 

collective skills, in partnership with the public, to describe, understand, manage and 

perpetuate a healthy and diverse assemblage of fish, wildlife and ecosystems. 

This guide is a summary that is intended for convenience only—for complete reference 

consult the New York State Environmental Conservation Law and Volume 6 of the Codes, 

Rules and Regulations of the State of New York. These are available at: 

www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2494.html 

www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/ (Environmental Conservation Law) 

The advertisements contained herein offset the cost of this guide, are provided for 

informational purposes only, and do not constitute an endorsement by the New York 

State Department of Environmental Conservation. 

J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC is proud to print the official New York Hunting 

& Trapping Regulations summary on post-consumer recycled paper. 

2 2011–12 Hunting & Trapping Guide 

e

2 0 1 1 – 1 2 N e w Y o r k 

47 10 

36 

Fe atures 

10 Hunting & Trapping 

Participation In New yOrk 

12 CrossBOw Hunting 

12 Highlights Of Changes fOr 2011–12 

23 Quality Deer Management 

On Private Land 

36 Wildlife ResearCH Update 

47 WoodCOCk Season Expanded 

50 10 Commandments Of Firearm Safety 

60 Focus On Law Enforcement

He Mess a der ages 

A message from the Commissioner 

On behalf of myself and DEC staff across the state, I welcome you to New 

York’s great outdoors this fall. We have a lot to offer! New York has world 

class hunting and trapping opportunities and I encourage you to go afield 

as often as you can to enjoy our bountiful natural resources. 

Wildlife recreation contributes significantly to local economies: 

• People spend $3.5 billion in New York annually on fish and wildlife 

recreation. 

• More than 4 million outdoors lovers devote over 18 million days to fish 

and wildlife recreation, mostly in rural areas where economic growth 

is slowest. 

• Each of New York’s more than 500,000 hunters spends over $1,000 per year hunting in the 

fields and forests of the state. 

Our job at DEC is to ensure that wildlife populations are secure, abundant, and in balance with 

the needs of both people and the environment. To that end, our professional staff works hard 

to understand wildlife ecology, and provide recreational opportunities that are both enjoyable 

and based on sound biological information. 

It is my pleasure to highlight several new hunting opportunities available this fall. Governor 

Cuomo signed legislation allowing 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt big game with a bow when 

accompanied by an adult. We all understand the importance of passing our rich outdoor traditions 

down to the next generation, and there is no better way to do it than by introducing a 

young girl or boy to hunting. 

I am also pleased to announce that New Yorkers will, for the first time, be able to hunt for big 

game with a crossbow during both the regular firearms and late muzzleloading seasons. Be sure 

to carefully read this guide to comply with all of the legal requirements for crossbow hunting. 

Finally, this year DEC will adopt a new five-year deer management plan. The plan will be a 

strategic blueprint to improve deer hunting and deer management, and focus on enhancing 

your deer hunting experience. Be sure to follow “Field Notes,” the fish and wildlife e-newsletter 

available either by e-mail subscription or at our website www.dec.ny.gov, for updates on changes 

to deer hunting regulations. 

Best wishes for a successful hunt each time you go afield, and as always, keep safe! 

Joe Martens, Commissioner 

A message from the Director of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources 

Welcome to another year of hunting and trapping and thanks for your 

continued support and interest in New York’s great wildlife resources. 

On June 13, 2011, the Division released its first ever five-year Deer 

Management Plan. The plan builds on 20 public meetings the Division 

held statewide, and was augmented by a mail survey of deer hunters to 

assess their opinions about a suite of deer hunting related issues. The 

development and release of this plan was important for a number of 

reasons. First, it is intended to help us focus our efforts where we believe 

they best meet the biological and social aspects of deer management 

during a time of staffing and fiscal constraints. The deer plan comes 

on the heels of the well-received Pheasant Management Plan released in 2010, and precedes 

similar management plans we will be developing for black bear and furbearers, as well as for 

key fisheries and endangered species. All these plans are intended to focus management efforts 

where they can accomplish the most important and urgent conservation. The plans are also 

important because they provide us with a structured and formal opportunity to solicit and 

incorporate the interests of sportsmen in our planning efforts. Once released, they provide 

stakeholders with an understanding of our intended management efforts over the ensuing five 

years. This provides greater predictability and accountability for what the Division is already 

doing, and for what we intend on undertaking in the upcoming years. 

How can you stay in touch? If you don’t already subscribe to Field Notes, our bi-weekly electronic 

newsletter, I encourage you to do so. It’s our way of letting you know what is happening 

in the Division, and will let you know when we have the next plan available for your review. 

Have a great season afield!. 

About this Guide 

This high-quality regulation guide is offered 

to you by the New York State Department of 

Environmental Conservation through its unique 

partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. 

J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house 

that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife 

regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports the DEC’s 

staff in the design, layout and editing of the 

guides. They also manage the marketing and 

sales of advertising to appropriate businesses 

within the book. 

The revenue generated through ad sales significantly 

lowers production costs and generates 

savings. These savings translate into additional 

funds for other important fisheries and habitat 

programs! 

If you have any feedback or are interested in 

advertising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or 

online at www.JFGriffin.com 

Cover Photo: Up 'N Adam's Speckled Baron 

(Speck), owned and trained by Perry Masotti and 

Barbara Koskos. November, 2006, Schoharie County. 

(Photographer: Perry Masotti) 

Senior Designer: Erin Murphy 

Associate Designer: Evelyn Haddad 

430 Main St. Suite 5 | Williamstown, MA 01267 

available online 

in a new Digital Edition! 

Fully searchable 

Live hyperlinks to 

expanded content 

Email pages 

One-click printing 

www.eRegulations.com/NY/hunting 

Patricia Riexinger, Director 

6 2011–12 HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE

IMPorta nt Numbers 

DEC regiOns 

NIAGARA ORLEANS 

MONROE WAYNE 

GENESEE 

ERIE 

9 

WYOMING 

LIVINGSTON 

8 

ONTARIO 

CHAUTAUQUA CATTARAUGUS ALLEGANY STEUBEN 

YATES 

SENECA 

SCHUYLER 

CHEMUNG 

CAYUGA 

TOMPKINS 

JEFFERSON 

LEWIS 

OSWEGO 

ONONDAGA 

7 

CORTLAND 

ONEIDA 

CLINTON 

FRANKLIN 

ST. LAWRENCE 

6 

HERKIMER 

MADISON 

OTSEGO 

CHENANGO 

HAMILTON 

WARREN 

FULTON SARATOGA 

MONTGOMERY 

4 

SCHOHARIE 

5 

SCHTDY 

ALBANY 

GREENE 

TIOGA 

DELAWARE 

BROOME 

ESSEX 

WASHINGTON 

RENSSELAER 

COLUMBIA 

Discover 

yourself... 

SULLIVAN 

ULSTER 

3 

DUTCHESS 

ORANGE 

ROCK 

LAND 

PUTNAM 

WEST 

CHESTER 

BRONX 

NEW YORK 

KINGS 

2 

1 

RICHMOND 

QUEENS 

NASSAU 

SUFFOLK 

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman 

in New York State 

Region Offices Wildlife Law Enforcement Sportsman Ed 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

SUNY @ Stony Brook 

50 Circle Rd. 

Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409 

1 Hunters Pt. Plaza 

4740 21st St. 

Long Island City, NY 11101-5407 

21 South Putt Corners Rd. 

New Paltz, NY 12561 

1130 North Westcott Rd. 

Schenectady, NY 12306-2014 

65561 State Hwy 10, Suite 1 

Stamford, NY 12167-9503 

1115 Route 86, PO Box 296 

Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296 

232 Golf Course Rd. 

Warrensburg, NY 12885 

317 Washington St. 

Watertown, NY 13601-3787 

State Office Building 

Utica, NY 13501 

6739 US Highway 11 

Potsdam, NY 13676 

17893 Game Farm Rd. 

Dexter, NY 13634 

615 Erie Blvd. West 

Syracuse, NY 13204-2400 

1285 Fisher Avenue 

Cortland, NY 13045 

6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd. 

Avon, NY 14414-9519 

7291 Coon Rd. 

Bath, NY 14810-9728 

270 Michigan Ave. 

Buffalo, NY 14203-2999 

182 East Union St., Suite 3 

Allegany, NY 14706 

(631) 444-0310 

License Sales: 

(631) 444-0273 

(631) 444-0250 (631) 444-0255 

(718) 482-4922 (718) 482-4885 (631) 444-0255 

(845) 256-3098 (845) 256-3013 (845) 256-3063 

(518) 357-2355 (518) 357-2047 (518) 357-2070 

(607) 652-7367 — — 

(518) 897-1291 (518) 897-1326 (518) 897-1291 

(518) 623-1240 — (518) 623-1240 

(315) 785-2261 (315) 785-2231 (315) 785-2533 

(315) 793-2554 — — 

(315) 265-3090 — — 

(315) 639-6122 — — 

— (315) 426-7431 — 

(607) 753-3095 

ext. 247 

— 

(607) 753-3095 

ext. 241 

(585) 226-5380 (585) 226-6706 (585) 226-5463 

(607) 776-2165 

ext. 16 

— — 

(716) 851-7010 (716) 851-7050 — 

(716) 372-0645 (716) 851-7000 (716) 372-0645 

Hands-on workshops where 

women can learn outdoor skills in 

a supportive atmosphere with 

patient, enthusiastic instructors. 

Other Important Numbers 

www.dec.ny.gov/education/68.html 

518-402-8862 

DEC Automated 

Licensing System 

NYC Watershed 

Hunting Permits 

Deer Management 

Hotline 

Report Game Take 

via DECALS 

TIPP (Turn in 

Poachers and 

Polluters) 

Lifetime License 

Information 

Sportsman 

Education 

Reporting Banded 

Waterfowl 

Migratory Bird 

Harvest Information 

Program (HIP) 

1-86-NY-DECALS 

(1-866-933-2257) 

1-800-575-5263 

1-866-472-4332 

1-866-GAME-RPT 

(1-866-426-3778) 

1-800-TIPP DEC 

(1-800-847-7332) 

(518) 402-8843 

1-888-HUNT ED2 

1-800-327-2263 

www.reportband.gov 

1-888-427-5447 

www.NY-HIP.com 

Law Enforcement 

(ECOs) 1-877-457-5680 

Vist our website www.dec.ny.gov 


Hunting & Trapping Participation 

in 

New York 

According to the 2006 National Survey of 

Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation, hunters spent over 10 million 

days afield and spent a total of $716 million 

on hunting-related expenditures in New 

York State. 

The moST poPULAr 

hUNTING activITIES in 

the state were deer 

AND turKEY hUNTING. 

The most popular hunting activities in 

the state were big game (primarily deer) and 

turkey hunting with hunters spending about 

8.5 million days in pursuit of these species, 

and contributing almost $390 million to the 

state's economy. Small game hunters in pursuit 

of species such as grouse, rabbit and squirrel, 

spent 3.8 million days afield and spent over 

$90 million on hunting-related expenditures. 

Big Game Hunting 

There are over 566,000 big game hunters in New 

York, who average approximately 18 days of 

■ ■ ■ 

hunting per hunter per year. Big game hunting 

produces approximately 10,800,000 pounds of 

venison annually and creates over 5,500 jobs. 

It brings in more than $410.9 million in retail 

sales, $221.4 million in salaries and wages, 

$61.3 million in state and local taxes and $56.7 

million in federal taxes. Over the last ten years, 

the average annual statewide bear harvest is 

1,141 bears, while the average statewide deer 

harvest is over 230,000 deer. 

Small Game Hunting 

The most popular small game species (in terms 

of hunting participation) are wild turkey 

(103,000 hunters in the spring), squirrel (86,000 

hunters), rabbit (78,000 hunters), ruffed grouse 

(75,000 hunters), and coyote (64,000 hunters). 

Small game hunters spend thousands of days 

afield in pursuit of various small game species, 

and as you would guess, the most hunting effort 

is expended on the most popular species: spring 

turkey hunting (630,000 days/year), followed 

by squirrel hunting (570,000 days/year), rabbit 

hunting (470,000 days/year), grouse hunting 

(450,000 days/year), and coyote hunting 

(380,000 days/year). 

Trapping 

New York has about 11,000 licensed trappers 

that pursue 14 furbearer species. Raccoon trapping 

attracts the largest number of participants 

(about 3,800 trappers/year), followed by muskrat 

(3,700 trappers/year), mink (3,300 trappers/ 

year), beaver and red fox (2,900 trappers each per 

year), and coyote (2,800 trappers/year). Of the 

six furbearers DEC inquired about in its trapper 

survey, trappers spent the most time in pursuit 

of muskrat (132,000 trap-days/year), followed 

by beaver (111,000 trap-days/year), raccoon 

(108,000 trap-days/year), fisher (105,000 trapdays/year), 

river otter (84,000 trap-days/year), 

and bobcat (74,000 trap-days/year). 

The Value of Wild Game 

Each year hunters from across New York 

successfully harvest a variety of mammals 

Wesley Smith, age 12, Steuben Co. 

and game birds during their respective open 

seasons, but few people appreciate the value 

of game taken annually from our landscape. 

According to surveys conducted by DEC, 

hunters in New York harvest over 12 million 

pounds of game each year. As you might expect, 

white-tailed deer make up the vast majority 

of this amount at almost 11 million pounds, 

followed by waterfowl (530,000 lbs), wild turkeys 

(368,000 lbs), rabbits (170,000 lbs), squirrels 

(143,000 lbs), pheasants (116,000 lbs), and black 

bear (93,750 lbs). Other small game including 

grouse, varying hares and woodcock account 

for another 100,000 lbs annually. If you think 

of this harvest in terms of meals, New York's 

wild game bounty provides over 48 million 

servings per year. To put a dollar value on this 

harvest, consider that a pound of ground beef 

or pork from your local supermarket would 

cost at least $3.00/lb and boneless chicken or 

turkey would cost at least $2.00/lb. At these 

prices, New York's annual harvest of wild game 

has a value close to $40 million! 

New York's wILD game 

boUNTY provIDES over 

48 million servINGS 

PEr year. 

Declining Hunter Numbers 

The number of New York hunting license holders 

has declined an average of 1% per year over 

the past 25 years from about 800,000 license 

holders in 1984 to about 600,000 license holders 

in 2008. This is a trend observed in many 

states throughout the country. Nationally, from 

1991 through 2006 hunting participation rates 

declined from 7.4% of the total population 

to 5.5% of the total population. During this 

period, declines in small game hunters were 

more pronounced than they were for deer or 

turkey hunters. 

If this decline continues, state natural 

resource agencies will face mounting challenges 

in managing some species of wildlife such as 

deer. In addition, a significant portion of the 

10 2011–12 Hunting & Trapping Guide

The NUMBEr of New York hUNTING LICENSE 

hoLDErs has DECLINED AN averAGE of 

1% PEr YEAr over the PAST 25 YEArs… 

900 

800 

NY Hunting License Holders 

(in thousands) 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 

funding for wildlife conservation comes from 

hunting and trapping license sales, and the 

federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition 

and archery equipment. The federal 

funds are apportioned to the states based on 

a formula that includes the number of hunting 

license holders. So, declining hunter numbers 

could also pose substantial fiscal challenges for 

state agencies tasked with managing wildlife 

resources. 

One of the approaches DEC is using to help 

address this issue is the development of the 

“Hunter Recruitment & Retention Initiative.” 

In 2010, DEC partnered with the Human 

Dimensions Research Unit at Cornell University’s 

Department of Natural Resources to 

investigate the causes of the decline in hunter 

numbers and to develop effective strategies to 

reverse the trend. 

For more information on the National 

Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife- 

Associated Recreation go to http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/NationalSurvey/ 

National_Survey.htm. 

Logan W. Blount, age 12, Oswego Co. ■ ■ ■ 

2011–12 Hunting & Trapping Guide 11

Ne w For 20 11 –20 12 

New York State Department Of Environmental Conservation 

Crossbow Hunting Qualifications and Certificate 

Hunters will be allowed to hunt big game with 

a crossbow during the 2011 and 2012 big game 

hunting seasons. Reading and understanding 

the information on this page will serve as 

qualification for crossbow use. 

General Information 

• Crossbows may only be used to hunt deer 

and bear. 

• Crossbows may only be used during the 

early bear season, regular firearms seasons, 

late muzzleloader seasons, and the special 

firearms season in Suffolk County. 

• Crossbows cannot be used during bowhunting 

seasons or in ‘Archery Only’ areas of the 

state (for Suffolk County, see page 20). 

• The hunter needs a current year’s license to 

hunt big game. 

• If hunting with a crossbow in the late muzzleloading 

season, the muzzleloading privilege 

is also required. 

• The hunter needs to read and understand 

the information in this document. 

• The hunter needs to complete the certificate 

below and carry the completed certificate 

while afield with a crossbow. 

Crossbow Safety Rules 

• Before shooting your crossbow, read and 

thoroughly understand your crossbow 

owner’s manual. 

• Always identify your target and the area 

beyond it before shooting. 

• Make sure your crossbow’s limb tips are free 

of obstructions before shooting. 

• If hunting from a tree stand, always cock 

the crossbow on the ground before climbing 

into the stand. 

• Do not place the bolt on the crossbow until 

you are safely in your stand. 

• Never raise or lower a cocked crossbow with 

a bolt in it from a tree stand. 

• Keep ALL fingers below the crossbow’s rail 

when shooting a bolt. 

• Never carry a cocked crossbow with a bolt 

in it while walking. 

• Never dry-fire (cock and fire without loading 

a bolt) a crossbow. 

Fill in, cut out, and keep with your hunting license. 

• Never use a cocking device to uncock a 

crossbow. 

• To uncock a crossbow, shoot a bolt tipped 

with a field point into soft ground or a target. 

• Always observe a maximum effective range 

for hunting of less than 40 yards to prevent 

wounding game. 

• To understand how bolts function, though 

not mandatory, consider taking a bowhunter 

education course. 

Legal Requirements 

for Crossbows 

• A bow, a string, and either 

compound or recurve 

limbs with minimum width 

of 17 inches (tip of limbs, uncocked). 

• Mounted on a stock with a trigger and working 

safety that holds the string and limbs 

under tension. 

• A minimum peak draw weight of 100 pounds 

and a maximum peak draw weight of 200 

pounds. 

• A minimum overall length from the butt of 

the stock to the front of limbs of 24 inches. 

• A minimum length of the bolt of 14 inches. 

(The arrowhead is to be nonbarbed, 2 or more 

cutting surfaces at least ⅞" wide). 

• A crossbow is considered unloaded if the 

bolt is removed, regardless whether it is 

cocked or uncocked. 

Suggested References 

to Review 

• NYSDEC Crossbow 

Frequently Asked Questions 

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html 

• North American Crossbow Federation: 

Crossbow 101 (video) 

northamericancrossbowfederation.com/ 

infoEdu2.php 

• NYSDEC Sportsman Education 


Practice safely, practice often, and learn the 

capabilities and limitations of the crossbow 

and the bolt it shoots. 

Highlights Of 

Changes For 2011–2012 

Junior Bowhunters 

Recent legislation lowered the minimum 

age for youth hunters to purchase a Junior 

Bowhunting license for big game hunting 

from 14 to 12 years of age. See pages 15 & 17 

for Junior Bowhunting license information, 

and page 35 for detailed information on 

youth hunting requirements and the youth 

mentoring program. 

Crossbows 

With proper certification, crossbows 

may now be used for hunting big game 

during any big game season in which 

the use of a shotgun and muzzleloader 

is permitted and all late muzzleloading 

seasons. See information at left for details. 

Modified Longbow Authorization 

With proper authorization, hunters 

with permanent or temporary physical 

disabilities, and who are unable to draw 

and hold a bow, may use a bow equipped 

with a device to hold it in a drawn position. 

See page 16 for more details. 

Game Harvest Reporting 

Hunters now have 7 days to report 

their game harvest. You may report 

your harvest of deer, bear or turkey 

through our improved online system at 


or you may report by phone by calling 

1-866-426-3778. 

DEC Expands Bear Hunting 

in the Southern Zone 

DEC has adopted regulatory changes 

that will open new areas in eastern 

New York for black bear hunting and 

establish uniform bear hunting season 

dates across the Southern Zone beginning 

in the Fall of 2011. Check our website 

for changes and an updated map at: 


Woodcock Season 

Woodcock season has been expanded to 45 

days for the Fall of 2011. 

New York State Department of 

Environmental Conservation 

Crossbow Certificate of Qualification 

I certify that I have read and understand the safety rules and legal 

requirements of crossbow use in New York. I acknowledge that I have 

reviewed the training requirements required for use of a crossbow 

while afield. 

Print Name________________________________________________ 

Signature__________________________________________________ 

- - 

DEC ID#__________________________________________________ 

(this is your back-tag number) 

Date_ _____________________________________________________ 

www.eRegulations.com/NY/hunting 

12 2011–12 HUNTING & traPPING GUIDE

Gener a l lICense INForm ation 

Mandatory Hunter Education 

A hunter education course is required for 

persons who cannot provide proof that they 

have ever possessed a hunting license. The 

general course is a minimum 10 hours in length. 

DEC honors hunter education certificates and 

sporting licenses from all other states and 

countries. You must be at least 11 years of age 

to take this class. 

Mandatory Bowhunter 

Education 

Hunters wishing to bowhunt for big game must 

present either: 

1. proof that he or she successfully completed 

an approved bowhunter education course; 

(Note: Approved courses are International 

Bowhunter Education Program Courses or 

an equivalent course. If in doubt, call toll 

free — 1-888-HUNT-ED2) or 

2. proof that he or she previously held a 

bowhunting license or stamp issued in 1980 

or later; if proof is from prior to 1980, he/she 

must take an additional 8 hour minimum 

bowhunter education course. 

MandatoRY Crossbow 

tRaining (new for this faLL) 

Hunters wishing to use a crossbow to hunt big 

game must complete training in the safe use of 

hunting with a crossbow and responsible crossbow 

hunting practices. See page 12 for details. 

Residency 

To qualify for a resident license, a person must 

live in New York State for more than 30 days 

immediately preceding the date of application. 

Land ownership in New York does not make you 

a resident. Residency is that place where a person 

maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home 

(regardless of where temporarily located), such 

as where a person is registered to vote. If under 

18, the residence of parents or legal guardian 

shall be deemed such person’s residence. 

Active members of the U.S. Armed Forces 

stationed in New York and full-time college 

students in residence in the state during the 

school year (proof required) qualify for annual 

resident licenses. 

Minimum Hunting Age 

Minors under the age of 12 may not obtain a 

hunting license or hunt wildlife. 

License Year 

Licenses and permits are valid from October 1 

through September 30. To hunt small game or 

big game prior to October 1, the previous year’s 

license is required. Previous year’s hunting 

licenses will be available at all license-issuing 

outlets until September 30. 

License Responsibilities 

• A license or tag is not transferable and may 

be used only by the person to whom issued 

(except for Deer Management Permits—see 

page 28–30). 

• It is not legal to possess another person’s 

license while hunting. 

• A license to hunt, trap or fish does not give 

Resident Licenses, Privileges And Stamps 

Type Age Fee 

Conservation Legacy 16–69 Yrs. $96 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license, PLUS acceptable Bowhunter 

Education Certificate, OR Bow Stamp issued 1980 or later, OR NYS Jr. Bowhunting License issued 1980 or 

later. 

Privileges: All the privileges that apply to a Super Sportsman License plus a Habitat and Access Stamp and 

subscription to the Conservationist Magazine. 

For just $8.00 more than the cost of a Super Sportsman, you get a Habitat Stamp and subscription to the 

Conservationist magazine — a $17.00 value. 

Super Sportsman 16–69 Yrs. $88 

Qualifications: Same as Conservation Legacy. 

Privileges: All the privileges that apply to fishing, small game, big game, bowhunting, muzzleloading licenses 

and turkey permit. 

Trapper Super Sportsman 16–69 Yrs. $88 

Qualifications: Hunter & Trapper Education Certificates OR proof of previous hunting and trapping licenses. 

Privileges: All the privileges that apply to small game, big game, muzzleloading, fishing and trapping licenses 

and turkey permits. 

Sportsman 16–69 Yrs. $47 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license. 

Privileges: All the privileges that apply to fishing, small game and big game hunting. 

Senior Sportsman 70+ Yrs. $10 


Privileges: All the privileges that apply to fishing, small game and big game hunting. 

Small and Big Game 16–69 Yrs. $29 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license. If Patriot (see page 16), NO FEE. 

Privileges: Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons. Hunt deer and bear with 

gun, crossbow (see page 12), muzzleloader or bow (with appropriate bow privilege) during the regular season, or 

hunt with shotgun or muzzleloader during the January firearms season (permit required—see page 20) in Suffolk 

County (WMU 1C). 

NOTE: Those under 18 who are hunting big game for the first time as a holder of a big game license must be 

accompanied for the entire season by a parent or legal guardian, or a person over 18 (holding written permission 

from parent or guardian) with at least one year’s experience in hunting bear or deer. Accompanier must 

have a current license that allows the hunting of big game. 

Deer Management Permit (DMP) 

(Must apply by October 1) 

14+ Yrs. 

12+ Yrs. (Youth Bowhunting Only) 

Qualifications: Available to holders of Conservation Legacy, Super Sportsman, Trapper Super Sportsman, 

Sportsman, Big & Small Game licenses for a non-refundable $10 application fee. The application fee is waived 

for Lifetime Sportsman licenses purchased prior to Oct. 1, 2009, and all Junior Hunters & Junior Bowhunters. 

Privileges: Application for an antlerless deer tag that is issued by random computer selection. This tag is valid 

for hunting antlerless deer only (both antlers less than 3" long) in a selected Wildlife Management Unit. 

See DMP map on page 30. 

Military Disabled Sportsman 16+ Yrs. $5 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license PLUS 40% or greater service-related 

military disability documented annually by a letter dated in the current year from the Veteran’s Administration 

(unless VA letter states “Permanent”). 

Privileges: Same as Sportsman license. 

Bowhunting Privilege 

(must be accompanied by valid big game license) 

$10 

16–69 Yrs. $21 

Qualifications: Current year license to hunt big game, PLUS Acceptable Bowhunter Education Certificate, OR 

Bowhunting Stamp issued in 1980 or later, OR NYS Jr. Bowhunting License issued in 1980 or later. 

Privileges: Hunt deer and bear with bow only during bowhunting season. 

NOTE: Residents hunting bear or deer with a bow during the regular season must possess both a valid big game 

license and either a current bowhunting privilege or a valid bowhunter education certificate. This includes 

Westchester and Suffolk counties. 

FREE Bowhunting Privilege 


Qualifications: Same as Bowhunter Privilege 

Privileges: Same as Bowhunter Privilege 

Muzzleloading Privilege 


70+ Yrs. OR 

40%+ Military Disabled 

No Fee 

14–69 Yrs. $21 

Qualifications: Current year license to hunt big game. 

Privileges: Hunt deer and bear with a muzzleloading firearm during muzzleloading season, and the January 

special firearms season in Suffolk County (WMU 1C). With this privilege, crossbows (see page 12) may also be 

used to hunt deer and bear in the late muzzleloading seasons. 



Resident Licenses, Privileges And Stamps 

Type Age Fee 

FREE Muzzleloading 


70+ Yrs. OR 

40%+ Military Disabled 

Lifetime 

Sporting 

Licenses 

The following Lifetime 

Licenses are available to 

New York State residents only 

and may be purchased at all license 

issuing outlets throughout New York State. 

Applicants must prove NYS residency for 

one year prior to application (proofs are the 

same as annual licenses with the exception 

of the one-year requirement). For additional 

information and clarification on Lifetime 

License sales, contact our License Sales 

Unit, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 

12233-4790, call 518-402-8843, or visit 

our website www.dec.ny.gov. 

Lifetime Resident Sportsman License 

(combined small game, big game and fishing 

privileges, also includes turkey permits): 

For a person age 0–4 $380 



For a person age 70 or older $65 

Other Lifetime Resident 

Licenses/Privileges 

Small and Big Game 

$535 

Hunting License 

Fishing License 

(age 0–69) 

Fishing License 

(age 70 and older) 

$460 

$65 

Trapping License $395 

Bowhunting $235 

Muzzleloading $235 

Lifetime Licenses & Tags 

for Young Hunters 

Young hunters who hold a lifetime hunting 

license and wish to receive their tags must 

first take the appropriate hunter safety 

training course. A copy of the certificate(s) 

must be sent to the DEC License Sales Unit 

(see address above) before their tags can 

be fulfilled. Young hunters should take the 

appropriate training course well in advance 

of the season to allow adequate time for their 

tags to be mailed. Tags cannot be obtained by 

contacting your local license issuing agent. 

*When purchasing a lifetime license for a child, 

the purchaser must bring proof of the child’s 

age (e. g., birth certificate or passport) and a 

copy of the parent’s residency proof. 

2011–12 HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE 15 

No Fee 

Qualifications: Same as Muzzleloading Privilege. 

Privileges: Same as Muzzleloading Privilege. 

Small Game 16–69 Yrs. $26 


Privileges: Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons. 

Junior Bowhunting (must apply in person accompanied by 

parent or legal guardian) 

12–15 Yrs. $9 


Education certificate, OR previous Jr. Bowhunting License PLUS proof of age (birth certificate) for 

1st time applicants. 

Privileges: 

Ages 12–13: Hunt deer and bear with bow during the bowhunting season and the regular season, when 

accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian, or a “youth mentor” 21 years or older and designated in writing 

(see page 35). 


accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian or person 18 years or older and designated in writing (see page 35). 

* Accompanier must have certain privileges and a number of years of hunting experience in hunting 


Junior Hunting (must apply in person 

accompanied by parent or legal guardian) 

12–15 Yrs. $5 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license, PLUS proof of age (e.g. birth certificate 

or passport) for 1st time applicants. 

Privileges: 

Ages 12–13: Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons when accompanied* by a 

parent, legal guardian, or person 21 or over with written permission from parent/guardian. 

Ages 14–15: Hunt small game species with gun or bow (with appropriate bow eligibility) during appropriate 

seasons when accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian, or person 18 or over with written permission from 

parent/guardian. Hunt big game species with a gun, crossbow (see page 12), or bow (with appropriate bow 

eligibility) when accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian or “youth mentor” 21 years or older designated in 

writing (see permission form on page 35 of this guide). 

* Accompanier must have a current hunting license, and if the youth is using a crossbow, accompanier must be 

certified in crossbow use (see page 12). Junior Hunters do not need a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl. 

Turkey Permit 12+ Yrs. $10 

Qualifications: Current year license to hunt small game. 

*Turkey tags are included with the purchase of a Conservation Legacy, Super Sportsman, Trapper Super 

Sportsman, or Lifetime Sportsman License. To hunt turkey, all hunters must have a turkey permit. There are 

no exceptions. 

Habitat and Access Stamp Any $5 

Venison Donation (help feed the hungry by supporting 

NY's venison donation program) 

Conservation Patron (includes Habitat Access Stamp 

and Conservationist subscription) 

Federal Duck Stamp (available at most Post Offices 

and some sporting goods stores) 

Any 

$1 or more 

Any $12 

16+ Yrs. $15 

Qualifications: Validated by holder’s signature on the face of the stamp, AND NYS Conservation Legacy, 

Trapper Super Sportsman, Super Sportsman, Sportsman, Senior Sportsman, Small and Big Game, or Small 

Game license. 

Privileges: Hunt migratory waterfowl. It is not needed for gallinules, coot, crows, rails, woodcock or snipe. 

All migratory game bird hunters, including Junior Hunters must register with the Harvest Information 

Program by calling toll free 1-888-427-5447 or register online at: www.ny-hip.com 

Trapping 16–69 Yrs. $21 

Qualifications: Trapper Education Certificate OR previous trapping license. 

Privileges: Set traps for species during their appropriate season (see page 54). 

70+ Yrs. $5 

Discounted Trapping 

40% Military Disabled Free 

Qualifications: Same as Trapping PLUS 40% or greater service-related military disability documented annually 

by a letter from Veteran’s Administration, unless your VA letter states "Permanent’, or Patriot (See page 16). 

Privileges: Same as trapping. 

Junior Trapping (must apply in person, accompanied by 

parent or legal guardian) 

Qualifications: Trapper Education Certificate OR previous trapping license. 

Privileges: Same as trapping. See trapper mentoring information on page 35. 

Under 16 Yrs. $6 

Note: Fishing privileges are included 

in Conservation Legacy, Super 

Sportsman, Trapper Super 

Sportsman, Sportsman and 

Senior Sportsman licenses.


the holder any right to go on private property 

without permission of the landowner. 

• You can legally purchase and possess only 

one big game or sportsman license per year. 

• Your license must be carried on your person 

when hunting or trapping. 

• It is illegal to refuse to show your license 

on demand to a law enforcement officer 

or the owner, lessee or person in control 

of the lands (or their designees) while on 

their property. 

• Make sure that your license has all the correct 

information. Carefully check it immediately 

after receipt. If you discover an error, have 

it corrected as soon as possible. 

• Do NOT heat laminate your license. High 

temperatures will destroy the tags and turn 

them black. 

Back Tags 

Must be visibly displayed on the middle of your 

back while hunting, except in the Northern 

Zone and Catskill Park. 

Small Game License 

Exceptions 

All residents must have a valid hunting license 

in their possession except: 

• Resident owners primarily engaged in farming, 

lessees and members of their immediate 

families do not need a small game hunting 

license when hunting on farm lands they are 

occupying and cultivating. 

• Native Americans living on a reservation do 

not need a hunting license while hunting on 

reservation lands. 

Free Licenses/Patriot Licenses 

Free hunting and trapping licenses are available 

to members of the Shinnecock and Poospatuck 

tribes and members of the Six Nations residing 

on reservations in the state. They must be 

obtained from some tribal councils or DEC 

headquarters in Albany (518) 402-8843. 

Free small/big game, fishing and trapping 

licenses are also available to NYS residents who 

have the appropriate Sportsmen Education and 

are active service members of the NYS Militia, 

US Reserve Forces or certain members of the 

US Armed Forces. For more detailed information, 

visit our website or call (518) 402-8843. 

Lost Licenses 

A current year lost license may be replaced at 

any license issuing outlet at a cost of $5 for a 

license panel. Big game carcass tag sets or turkey 

carcass tag sets may be replaced at a cost of $10. 

There is no charge to replace a lost backtag. 

Hunters with Disabilities 

For more information, write the NYS DEC 

Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, 

NY 12233-4752 or call (518) 402-8985. The 

application process takes time; write or call 

well before you intend to hunt. 

Non-Ambulatory Hunter Permit 

This permit allows qualified hunters to shoot 

a firearm from a motorized vehicle (including 

an off-road vehicle) that has the motor turned 

Nonresident Licenses, Privileges And Stamps 

Type Age Fee 

Nonresident Super Sportsman 16+ Yrs. $280 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license, PLUS Acceptable Bowhunter 

Education Certificate OR Bow Stamp issued 1980 or later, OR NYS Junior Bowhunting License issued 1980 

or later, OR NYS Nonresident Bowhunting or combination license issued 1993 or later. 

Privileges: All the privileges that apply to nonresident big & small game, fishing, bowhunting, muzzleloading 

licenses and a turkey permit. 

NOTE: Bear hunting is not included in the Nonresident Super Sportsman license. A separate bear tag must 

be purchased. 

Nonresident Big Game (Deer only) 16+ Yrs. $140 


Privileges: Hunt deer only with gun, crossbow (see page 12), muzzleloader or bow (with appropriate bow 

privilege) during the regular season, or hunt deer with shotgun or muzzleloader during the January firearms 

season (permit required, see page 20), in Suffolk County (WMU 1C). 

NOTE: Those under 18 who are hunting big game for the first time as a holder of a big game license must be 

accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or a person over 18 with at least one year’s experience in hunting 

bear or deer, for the entire season. The parent, guardian or person over 18 must have a current license that 

allows the hunting of big game. 

Deer Management Permit (DMP) 

(Must apply by October 1) 

off and that is completely off the highway 

right-of-way. 

To qualify for a Non-Ambulatory Hunter 

Permit, a person must be physically unable to 

move about except with the use of a mechanized 

aid such as a wheelchair. 

Modified LongBOw AutHOrization 

New legislation has repealed the ‘Modified 

Archer Permit’ and replaced it with the ‘Modified 

Longbow Authorization.’ This authorization 

allows qualified sportsmen to hunt big or 

small game with a bow that is equipped with 

a mechanical device to hold it in a drawn and 

cocked position. This authorization does not 

allow the use of a crossbow. 

To qualify for a Modified Longbow Authorization, 

a sportsman must be permanently or 

temporarily physically disabled and unable to 

14+ Yrs. 

12+ Yrs. (Youth Bowhunting Only) 

Qualifications: Nonresident Super Sportsman, Nonresident Big Game, Nonresident Bowhunting OR Nonresident 

Muzzleloading license must pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. The fee is waived for Nonresident 

Junior Hunters and Nonresident Junior Bowhunters. 

Privileges: Application for an antlerless deer tag that is issued by random computer selection. This tag is 

valid for hunting antlerless deer only (both antlers less than 3" long) in a selected Wildlife Management Unit 

during all Southern Zone seasons. See DMP map on page 30. 

Nonresident Bowhunting 16+ Yrs. $140 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license, PLUS Acceptable Bowhunter 

Education Certificate, OR Bow Stamp issued 1980 or later, OR NYS Junior Bowhunting License issued 1980 

or later, OR NYS Nonresident Bowhunting or Super Sportsman (1993 or later). 

Privileges: Hunt deer only with a bow only during bowhunting seasons. Includes the regular season in 

Westchester County (WMU 3S) and Suffolk County (WMU 1C). 

Nonresident Muzzleloading 14+ Yrs. $140 

Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate, OR previous hunting license. 

Privileges: Hunt deer only with a muzzleloader during muzzleloading season, and the January special firearms 

season in Suffolk County (WMU 1C). With this privilege, crossbows (see page 12) may also be used to 

hunt deer in the late muzzleloading seasons. 

Nonresident Bear Tag 16+ Yrs. $50 

Qualifications: Current year Nonresident Super Sportsman OR current year Nonresident Big Game license OR 

current year Nonresident Bowhunting License OR current year Nonresident Muzzleloading License. 

Privileges: Hunt bear with appropriate implement and during the appropriate seasons based on the qualifying 

license(s) purchased (see bear season map on page 33). 

Nonresident Small Game 16+ Yrs. $85 


Privileges: Hunt small game species with gun or bow during the appropriate seasons. 

$10 

draw and hold a bow. For more information 

write the address above or visit our website, 

www.dec.ny.gov/permits/25018.html. 

Modified CrossBOw Permit 

This permit allows qualified people to hunt big 

or small game with a crossbow that has been 

specifically modified with a device that only 

allows it to be discharged (fired) by means of 

a breath tube. This permit does not allow the 

use of an unmodified crossbow. 

To qualify for a Modified Crossbow Permit, 

a person must be permanently physically 

unable to hold or draw a legal bow or to fire a 

legal bow that has been modified to hold and 

release the string. 

If a person can pull the trigger on a gun, he 

or she will not qualify for a Modified Crossbow 

Permit. 


Gener a l License Inform ation 

Nonresident Licenses, Privileges And Stamps 

Type Age Fee 

Nonresident Junior Bowhunting (must apply in person, 


12–15 Yrs. $9 


Education certificate, OR previous Jr. Bowhunting License PLUS proof of age for 1st time applicants. 

Privileges: 


accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian, or a “youth mentor” 21 years or older and designated in writing 



accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian or person 18 years or older and designated in writing (see page 35). 

* Accompanier must have certain privileges and a number of years of hunting experience in hunting (see page 35). 

Nonresident Junior Hunting (must apply in person, 

12–15 Yrs. $5 


Qualifications: Hunter Education Certificate OR previous hunting license, PLUS proof of age for 1st time applicants. 

Privileges: 

Ages 12–13: Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons when accompanied* by a 

parent, legal guardian, or person 21 or over with written permission from parent/guardian. 

Ages 14–15: Hunt small game species with gun or bow (with appropriate bow eligibility) during appropriate 

seasons when accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian, or person 18 or over with written permission from 

parent/guardian. Hunt big game species with a gun, crossbow (see page 12), or bow (with appropriate bow 

eligibility) when accompanied* by a parent, legal guardian or “youth mentor” 21 years or older designated in 

writing (see permission form on page 35 of this guide). 

* Accompanier must have a current hunting license. Junior hunters do not need a Federal Duck Stamp to 

hunt waterfowl. 

Nonresident Turkey Permit 12+ Yrs. $50 

Qualifications: Nonresident Small Game License, Super Sportsman or Junior Hunting License (ages 12–15). 

Privileges: Hunt wild turkey during the fall and spring turkey seasons. See page 44 for bag limits and dates. 

*Turkey carcass tags are included, (no fee) with the purchase of a Nonresident Super Sportsman License. 

To hunt turkey, all hunters must have a turkey permit. There are no exceptions. 

Habitat and Access Stamp Any $5 

Conservation Patron (includes Habitat and Access Stamp 

& Conservationist subscription) 

Any $12 

Federal Duck Stamp (available at most post offices 

and some sporting goods stores) 

16+ Yrs. $15 

Note: You must sign your Federal Duck Stamp across its face prior to hunting. 

Privileges: Hunt migratory waterfowl. It is not needed for gallinules, coot, crows, rails, woodcock or snipe. All 

migratory game bird hunters, including junior hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program 

by calling toll free 1-888-427-5447 or register online at: www.ny-hip.com 

Nonresident Trapping 16+ Yrs. $310 

Qualifications: Trapping Education Certificate OR trapping license from any state. 

Privileges: Set traps for species during appropriate seasons (see page 35 for youth mentor information). 

Sportsmen 

Education 

All first-time hunters, 

bowhunters and trappers 

need to pass one 

or more courses before 

they can get a license in New York. 

Trained instructors certified by the 

DEC teach safe and responsible 

outdoors practices and the important 

role of hunters and trappers in 

conservation. All courses are free 

of charge, but space may be limited. 

As hunting seasons approach, many 

classes are filled up quickly. SIGN UP 

EARLY! 

For more 

information on 

DEC Sportsman 

Education 

Programs, 

including a list of 

courses, visit: 


Remember to 

Report Your 

Game Harvest… 

Visit www.dec.ny.gov for details. 

It’s the law! 

See page 19. 

2011–12 HUNTING & traPPING GUIDE 17

Gener a l HuntING Regul ations 

The following are general hunting regulations. 

Specific regulations for various game species 

are in the Small Game, Big Game and Trapping 

sections of this booklet. 

Definitions 

Air gun—a firearm that uses spring or 

compressed air (not gunpowder) to propel a 

single projectile that is .17 caliber or larger and 

produces a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet 

per second. You may use a smooth or rifled bore. 

Bow—includes long (stick), compound, or 

recurve bow. 

Crossbow—consists of a bow, a string, and 

either compound or recurve limbs with minimum 

width of 17 inches (tip of limbs, uncocked), 

mounted on a stock. The stock shall have a 

trigger with a working safety that holds the 

string and limbs under tension until released. 

It shall have a minimum overall length from 

the butt of the stock to the front of the limbs 

of 24 inches and be able to launch a minimum 

14 inch arrow/bolt, not including the legal 

arrowhead. It shall have a draw weight of 100 

to 200 pounds. 

Firearm—all guns, including handguns, rifles, 

shotguns, muzzleloaders and BB and pellet guns. 

Handgun—is any pistol or revolver intended to 

be aimed and fired with one hand, and having 

a barrel length not exceeding 16 inches. 

To hunt—means to pursue, shoot, kill or 

capture (other than trap) wildlife and includes 

all lesser acts that disturb or worry wildlife 

whether or not they result in taking. Hunting 

also includes all acts to assist another person 

in taking wildlife. 

Motor vehicle—means every vehicle or device 

operated by any power other than muscle power 

including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, 

motorcycles, tractors, trailers, motorboats, 

snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles whether 

operated on or off public highways. 

Muzzleloading firearm—is a firearm loaded 

through the muzzle, shooting a single projectile 

and having a minimum bore of .44 inch. 

Public highway—means any road maintained 

by a state, county or town. A private road is 

one maintained by a person or corporation. 

Rifle—is a firearm with a barrel length of 16 

inches or more with rifling in the barrel that 

uses metallic cartridges. 

Shotgun—is a firearm with a barrel length 

of 18 inches or more that uses shells that are 

nonmetallic except for the base. 

To take—means to pursue, shoot, hunt, kill, 

capture, trap, snare or net wildlife and game— 

and all lesser acts that disturb or worry wildlife—or 

to place or use any net or other device 

commonly used to take wildlife. 

To trap—means to take, kill or capture wildlife 

with traps, deadfalls and other devices 

commonly used to take wildlife, including the 

shooting or killing of lawfully trapped animals. 

It also includes all related activities such as 

placing, setting, staking or checking traps or 

assisting another person with these activities. 

Manner Of Taking 

It is illegal to take or hunt wildlife: 

• while in or on a motor vehicle (except by 

special permit—see page 16). 

• with the aid of a vehicle’s lights. 

• on or from any public road. 

• with any firearm equipped with a silencer. 

• with any firearm which continues to fire as 

long as the trigger is held back (an automatic 

firearm). 

• with any semi-automatic firearm with a 

capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, except: 

1. firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire 

ammunition, or 

2. firearms altered to reduce their capacity 

to no more than 6 shells at one time in 

the magazine and chamber combined, or 

3. autoloading pistols with a barrel length 

of less than eight inches. 

• with a spear. 

• with a bow equipped with any mechanical 

device which is attached to the bow (other 

than the bowstring) for drawing, holding 

or releasing the bowstring except for a 

person with a physical disability in possession 

of a Modified Longbow Authorization 

(compound bows are legal). 

• with a spear gun or modified crossbow except 

for a person with a physical disability in 

possession of a Modified Crossbow Permit. 

• with an arrow with an explosive head or shaft. 

• with any device designed or intended to 

deliver drugs to an animal. 

Baiting—It is illegal to hunt with the aid of 

bait or over any baited area when hunting big 

game, upland game birds, turkey or waterfowl. 

Artificial lights—It is illegal to hunt deer or 

bear with the aid of any artificial light including 

laser sights. 

SPOtligHting 

You may use lights to observe wildlife under 

the following conditions: 

• You are not within 500 feet of a home or 

farm building, unless you have permission 

from the owner or lessee (when looking for 

deer or bear). 

• While in or on a motor vehicle and operating 

a light and no person has a firearm, crossbow 

or bow unless: 

ͪͪthe firearm or crossbow is taken down or 

the bow is unstrung, or 

ͪͪthe firearm or crossbow is securely 

fastened in a case, or 

ͪͪthe firearm or crossbow is locked in the 

trunk of the vehicle, or 

ͪͪthe firearm is a handgun. 

For information on hunting furbearers at 

night, see page 51. 

Possession Of Firearms 

And CrossBOws 

During the open season for deer, it is illegal to: 

• possess shotgun shells loaded with slug or 

ball, unless holding a valid license (including 

carcass tags) or permit to take deer or bear, or 

• possess a rifle larger than a .22 rimfire 

(muzzleloading rifles excepted) in areas 

where rifles are banned for taking deer. 

It is illegal to use a crossbow for hunting, or 

to carry one afield in any of the ‘bowhunting 

only’ Wildlife Management Units. 

In Westchester County and on Long Island, 

it is illegal to use any rifle for hunting, or to 

carry one afield. 

In the Northern Zone, it is illegal to carry a 

rifle larger than . 22 rimfire or a shotgun loaded 

with slug, ball or buckshot afield if accompanied 

by a dog, except when coyote hunting. 

Possession of handguns in New York requires 

a NYS Pistol Permit. New York does not recognize 

permits issued by other states. 

Transportation Of Firearms 

A person may not transport or possess a shotgun, 

rifle or crossbow in or on a motor vehicle, including 

any all terrain vehicle, unless the firearm is 

unloaded in both chamber and magazine or the 

crossbow is unloaded or taken down. A loaded 

firearm may be carried or possessed in a motorboat 

while legally hunting migratory game birds. 

Did you know? 

...2010 marked the 125th 

anniversary of the creation of 

the New York State’s Forest 

Ranger force. 

...DEC Forest Rangers are 

police officers. In 2010, 106 

DEC Rangers protected nearly 

5 million acres of state land, 

walking or paddling 23,669 

miles on their patrols. 

...DEC Forest Rangers venture 

into remote wilderness to find 

lost people. 

...In 2010, Rangers conducted 

140 search missions and 65 

rescue missions. 


518-408-5850 


Gener a l Hunting Regul ations 

A muzzleloader is considered unloaded 

when the cap is off the nipple, the primer is 

removed, the primer powder is removed from 

the flintlock pan, or the battery is not in an 

electric-fired muzzleloader. 

A crossbow is considered unloaded when the 

arrow/bolt is removed, regardless whether the 

crossbow is cocked or uncocked. A crossbow 

is considered taken down when the limbs 

have been removed from the stock or securely 

fastened in a case, or locked in a trunk. 

Discharge Of Firearms, 

Crossbows And Bows 

It is illegal to discharge a firearm, crossbow 

or bow: 

• so that the load or arrow/bolt passes over 

any part of a public highway. 

• within 500 feet of any school, playground, 

or an occupied factory or church. 

• within 500 feet of a dwelling, farm building 

or structure in occupation or use unless you 

own it, lease it, are an immediate member 

of the family, an employee, or have the 

owner’s consent. 

You may hunt waterfowl over water within 500 

feet of a dwelling or public structure as long 

as neither are within 500 feet in the direction 

you are shooting. 

Protected And 

Unprotected Wildlife 

In New York State, nearly all species of wildlife 

are protected. Most species, including endangered 

species, songbirds, hawks and owls are 

fully protected and may not be taken. The few 

unprotected species include porcupine, red 

squirrel, woodchuck, English sparrow, starling, 

rock pigeon and monk parakeet. Unprotected 

species may be taken at any time without limit. 

However, a hunting license is required to hunt 

unprotected wildlife with a bow or firearm. 

Game species may be taken only during 

their open seasons and as summarized in this 

Guide. Persons taking wildlife on licensed 

shooting preserves must comply with regulations 

governing those shooting preserves. 

Reporting Your Game Harvest 

•• 

Deer, Bear, and Turkey harvests must be reported 

within seven days. 

•• 

The reporting and pelt sealing of beaver harvest is 

no longer required. 

•• 

You can report your harvest either by telephone or 

through the web. Reporting on the web is fast and 

convenient! 

PHONE: 1-866-426-3778 

WEB: www.dec.ny.gov 

Information You Will Need 

When Reporting 

•• 

Carcass Tag or Reporting Panel: 

customer id # 

Remember to Report 

Your Harvest! 

It’s not only the LAW— 

it’s good management! 

12 Digit Doc # 

Correct Tag Type 

•• 

For Spring Turkey: 

ͪͪ 

Spur length (none, less than ½", 

½"or longer). 

ͪͪ 

Beard length (less than 3", 3" but 

less than 7½",7½" or longer. 

ͪͪ 

Estimated weight. 

•• 

For Fall Turkey: 

ͪͪ 

Remember to save a leg. We may 

request it to determine age & sex. 

2011–12 HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE 19

Big G a me HuntING 

Please read General Hunting regulations first. See page 18. 

Maps Showing Season Dates 

• Legal Implements: see page 24 

• Deer: see page 25 

• Bear: see page 33 

Hunting Hours 

Big game hunting hours are sunrise to sunset (see page 73). Sunday 

hunting is allowed in all areas of New York. For hunting in state parks, 

confirm regulations with the park before hunting. 

Legally Antlered Deer 

A legally antlered deer must have at least one antler that is three 

inches or longer. Special regulations apply in the Antler Restriction 

areas. See page 30 for details. 

Defining “Early” And “Late” 

Seasons For Deer And Bear 

When you see the term “early” muzzleloader or bowhunting season, 

it means before the regular season for that particular zone. “Late” 

means after the regular season for that zone. 

Manner Of Taking 

You may use decoys, calls and attractant scents to hunt big game. It 

is unlawful to: 

• Take big game while the deer or bear is in water 

• Possess a firearm of any description or crossbow when bowhunting 

or accompanying a person bowhunting during special bowhunting 

seasons 

• Make, set or use salt licks or other attractants, whether block, liquid 

or powder that contain ANY amount of salt, upon lands inhabited 

by deer or bear at any time of year 

2. On the reverse side of the tag, cut or mark both the month and the 

date of kill in the margin of the tag. Also, add your SIGNATURE. 

3. Once filled in, the tag may not be altered. 

4. Find the CORRECT Doc # on the Report Panel and add the date 

of kill. Save this panel as you will need it later when you report 

your harvest. 

5. You do not need to attach the tag to your harvest while it is being 

dragged or physically carried from the place of kill to a camp or 

point where transportation is available. 

6. Once you get to the camp or vehicle, attach the tag to the carcass 

immediately. 

7. Keep the tag attached to the carcass until it is cut up and prepared 

for consumption. 

8. Remember to REPORT your harvest. 

After you have used your last deer tag, you may help others hunt 

deer. You may not carry a firearm, crossbow or bow, and you must 

have your hunting license. 

Transporting 

Deer and bear may be transported either inside or outside the vehicle. 

• A deer carcass with head and deer carcass tag attached may be 

transported with the taker in attendance. 

• If someone other than the taker is transporting the deer or bear, 

taker must attach an additional tag to the carcass which must include 

the names and addresses of both the taker and the transporter. The 

tag may be handwritten in ink or typed on any paper. 

• All portions of deer or bear meat being transported by the taker 

shall be individually tagged and the tags shall include the name, 

address, big game DOC #, the date that the portions were cut, and 

the signature of the taker. Packaged or boxed portions of venison 

need only one tag and must be labeled “venison” on the outside 

of the box. If someone other than the taker is transporting the 

It is unlawful to hunt big game with: 

• Dogs, aircraft of any kind or with the aid of a pre-established bait pile. 

Long Island Opportunities 

Deer hunting from October-December is bowhunting only. All hunting 

on state land requires a DEC permit. During the January firearms 

season, shotgun, muzzleloader, and crossbow are the only legal implements, 

and a special permit is required. For exact dates and permit 

information, send a self-addressed envelope to Deer Info, NYS DEC, 

SUNY, 50 Circle Rd. , Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409 or visit our website, 

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8373.html. 

Prohibited Sale Of Deer Or Bear Meat 

It is unlawful to sell deer or bear flesh. Other than flesh, the parts 

from legally taken and reported bear may be sold only if tagged prior 

to sale. A tag shall be provided by the hunter or the buyer and include 

the hunter’s license number, date of birth, signature, printed name 

and the town and county location of kill. 

Tagging, Transporting And Reporting 

Deer and bear are in legal possession only when tagged with the 

appropriate portion of the big game license, deer management permit 

or other license provided for that purpose. 

Tagging 

Here’s what you must do immediately upon killing a deer or bear: 

1. Fill in ALL information on the CORRECT carcass tag with ink 

that won't erase. 

Boning Out Deer 

Some hunters who take a deer in remote areas may wish to 

bone out the deer and pack out the meat. This is lawful but 

you must retain the carcass tag with the boned out meat. 



portions, an additional tag signed by the taker with the names and 

addresses of the consignee and taker is required for each portion. 

• Non-resident hunters: If your home state prohibits the importation 

of whole deer carcasses from New York, you will need to follow 

the above guidelines for transportation of individual or packaged 

portions of deer meat while in New York State. 

• A deer carcass minus the head may be transported as above, but 

evidence of the sex of the deer must be intact. The deer carcass tag 

must be affixed to the carcass, and a tag supplied by the taker must 

also be attached showing the name and address of the taxidermist 

where the head was sent. 

• Heads of male deer may be transported to a taxidermist only if a 

tag supplied by the taker is attached bearing the taker’s signature, 

address, big game DOC #, number of points on each antler and the 

name and address of the taxidermist. 

• The head of a doe with antlers that are 3 inches or more can be 

removed for mounting. Follow the same procedure that you would 

use for a buck you are having mounted (see above). 

Would you like to receive information 

about Big Game in New yOrk? 

DEC is inviting you to join New York Big Game, DEC’s email 

outlet for information on black bear and white-tailed deer in 

New York State. Subscribers to this email list will periodically 

receive information from DEC about bear and deer 

biology, management, research, regulations and hunting. 

To subscribe to New York Big Game, visit our website at: 

http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/nybiggame 

Join today and become a more informed hunter. 

Northern 

Zone 

Southern 

Zone 

Future Big Game 

Season Dates* 

Bowhunting—Deer and Bear 

September 27 through the Friday 

immediately preceding the next to the last 

Saturday in October. (Only unfilled prior year big game tags 

can be used before October 1). 

Regular—Deer and Bear 

The next to the last Saturday in October through the first 

Sunday in December. 

Muzzleloading—Deer and Bear 

The seven-day period ending on the day before the Regular 

Season begins. 

Early Bear Season 

The first Saturday after the second Monday in September 

through the day immediately preceding the opening of the 

muzzleloading season. 

Bowhunting—Deer and Bear 

The Saturday following the second Monday in October 

(Columbus Day) through the day prior to the opening of the 

Regular Deer Season, and nine days immediately following 

the close of the Regular Deer Season. 

Muzzleloading—Deer and Bear 

The nine days immediately following the close of the Regular 

Deer Season. 

Regular—Deer 

23 days beginning the third Saturday of November. 

Regular—Bear 

23 days beginning the third Saturday of November. 

Westchester 

County 

Suffolk 

County 

Regular—Deer and Bear 

The Saturday following the second Monday in October 

(Columbus Day) and continuing through December 31st. 

Regular—Deer 

October 1 through December 31. 

Special Firearms Season—Deer 

The first Monday following the first Saturday in January, 

through the last weekday in January, Monday–Friday only. 

* DEC is considering possible modifications of deer hunting seasons 

with changes potentially beginning in 2012. 



Muzzleloading 

• Deer may only be taken as shown on the map on page 25. 

• Bear may only be taken as shown on the map on page 33. 

All Areas 

All hunters participating in the muzzleloading season must follow 

these requirements in addition to the other regulations in this guide. 

• Each resident hunter must have purchased a current-year muzzleloading 

privilege with his/her big game license. 

• Each nonresident hunter must have a current-year Muzzleloading 

License. 

• Hunters shall not have in their possession, or be accompanied by 

a person who has in his or her possession, a bow or firearm other 

than the legal muzzleloading firearm or crossbow. They may be 

accompanied by a person carrying a crossbow. 

Bowhunting 

Bowhunting opportunities include both the regular and bowhunting 

seasons. Residents may use a bow to take legally antlered deer and 

bear during the regular season provided the taker possesses both a 

valid big game license and either a current bowhunting privilege or 

a valid bowhunter education certificate. Residents may take deer of 

either sex during the bowhunting season provided the taker possesses 

a big game license and bowhunting privilege, or a Junior Bowhunting 

License. Nonresidents should refer to page 27 for information on hunting 

with a bow during regular and bowhunting seasons. 

A bow may also be used to fill a deer management permit during the 

early bowhunting season in the Southern Zone, the Southern Zone regular 

season and the late bowhunting season. In WMUs 4J and 8C only, bows 

may be used to take deer (either sex) during the regular and bowhunting 

seasons. Suffolk (WMU 1C) and Westchester counties (WMU 3S) have 

separate regular seasons restricted to bows for taking deer (either sex). 

Barbed Broadheads 

Barbed broadheads are illegal for hunting big game. A barbed broadhead 

is one in which the angle formed between the trailing or rear 

edge of any blade and the shaft is less than 90 degrees. Broadheads 

with mechanical blades are legal if the blades DO NOT form a barb 

or hook when the arrow is pulled from the flesh of a deer or bear. 

(See graphic below). 

Assume Control From 

Trigger To Target…And Beyond 

•• 

Assume every gun is loaded 

•• 

Control the muzzle 

•• 

Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot 

•• 

Be sure of your target and beyond 

•• 

Wear hunter orange—control where others shoot 

Type Legal Illegal 

Fixed Blade 

Mechanical Blade 

(shown in position of being 

withdrawn from an animal) 

Blades pivot forward 

(no longer barbed) 

Blades do not pivot 

(remain barbed) 

Moose In New York 

Moose are protected in New York 

and cannot be hunted. There is an 

estimated population of 500–800 

occupying the northern zone of the 

state. 

DEC has created a Moose Photo 

Gallery for photos taken of New York 

moose. Instructions for submitting a 

photo are included on the following 

moose webpage: 

www.dec.ny.gov/animals/56611.html 


Quality Deer Management 

on Private Land 

Kip Adams, Wildlife Biologist, Quality Deer Management Association 

and Jeremy Hurst, Wildlife Biologist, NYSDEC 

Quality deer management (QDM) 

is a household name to modern 

day deer hunters but many don’t 

fully understand what QDM is. 

Quality deer management is a management 

approach that unites landowners, hunters, 

and resource managers in a common goal of 

producing healthy deer herds with balanced 

adult sex ratios and age structures. In simplest 

terms, QDM involves balancing the deer herd 

with the habitat and having deer—bucks and 

does—in multiple age classes. This is achieved 

by harvesting an appropriate number of female 

deer and by protecting young bucks. 

Quality deer management involves four 

cornerstones: herd management, habitat 

management, hunter management and herd 

monitoring. Herd management involves 

harvesting an appropriate number of antlerless 

deer annually to balance the deer herd with the 

habitat and protecting young bucks to provide 

for balanced sex ratios and age structures. 

Habitat management involves managing and/ 

or improving the habitat to provide abundant 

forage and cover. Fortunately, numerous other 

game and nongame species benefit from highquality 

deer habitat. Hunter management 

involves educating sportsmen and sportswomen 

to be as knowledgeable about deer and habitat 

biology and management as possible. Informed 

sportsmen and sportswomen are more likely 

to be engaged in management programs and 

they’re typically better stewards of our natural 

resources. Herd monitoring is the final cornerstone 

and it involves collecting data (harvest, 

observation, survey, etc.) on the deer herd in 

order to make wise management decisions. To 

learn more about QDM, see www.qdma.com 

How Can Dec Help Your Efforts To 

Manage Deer On Private Land? 

Whether you want to implement a QDM 

program or simply want to change the way you 

hunt whitetails, DEC encourages landowners 

and hunters to take a proactive role in managing 

deer on your lands. Hunters are an essential 

part of effective deer management, and when 

hunters and landowners become more engaged 

in making management decisions for their 

lands, the deer, the habitat, the landowner and 

the hunter can all benefit. There is a wealth of 

information available today, including from 

organizations like the QDMA, that can help 

landowners and hunters better understand 

and carry out site specific deer management. 

And while there has been a great deal of recent 

discussion about buck harvest criteria in New 

York, hunters should never lose sight of the 

fact that appropriate doe harvest is the most 

important element of a good program. 

Landowners and hunters have the most at 

stake and the best perspective of deer numbers 

and habitat quality on individual properties. 

While DEC staff can help, knowledgeable 

landowners and hunters play the primary role 

in developing and fine tuning management 

programs for individual properties. To learn 

about some of the ways DEC can assist your deer 

management efforts, check out the following:: 

Herd Management 

• Contact your regional DEC deer biologist 

for guidance on appropriate doe and 

buck harvest goals for your area (see page 

8 or www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html for 

contact information). 

• Find out whether participation 

in the Deer Management Assistance 

Program is right for you 

(www.dec.ny.gov/animals/33973.html). 

Habitat Management 

• Develop a forest management plan for 

your property and take advantage of tax 

incentives and rebates while improving 

deer habitat. 

• Contact your regional DEC forester, or 

see www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4972.html 

for information on the EQIP Forestry 

Initiative, Forest Tax Law Program or the 

Cooperating Forester Program. 

Hunter Management 

• Visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6965.html 

for information about deer biology and 

management. 

• Subscribe to NY Big Game listserve 

at http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/ 

mailman/listinfo/nybiggame 

Herd Monitoring 

• Contact your regional DEC deer biologist 

for guidance on collecting and interpreting 

your own deer herd data. 

The NYS Forest Rangers conduct 

more than 150 Search & Rescue 

missions in a year. Don’t become 

a statistic. 

» Bring the right clothing and gear 

for current and expected weather 

conditions. 

» Be ready to spend the night and 

be able to build a fire. 

» Carry a map and a compass and 

know how to navigate with them. 

» Tell someone your destination and 

when you plan to return. 

Provided by the Members of the 

NYS Forest Ranger Local 

Protecting Lives & Resources for Over 125 Years 


Big G a me BouNDary DescrIP tions/Leg a l IMPlement s 

Complete descriptions of all wildlife management 

units are available on DEC’s web site 


Northern-sOuthern Zone Line 

A line commencing at a point at the north 

shore of the Salmon River and its junction with 

Lake Ontario and extending easterly along 

the north shore of that river to the Village of 

Pulaski, thence southerly along Route 11 to 

its intersection with Route 49 in the Village 

of Central Square, thence easterly along Route 

49 to its junction with Route 365 in the City 

of Rome, thence easterly along Route 365 to 

its junction with Route 28 in the Village of 

Trenton, thence easterly along Route 28 to 

its junction with Route 29 in the Village of 

Middleville, thence easterly along Route 29 

to its junction with Route 4, thence northerly 

along Route 4 to its junction with Route 22, 

thence northerly and westerly along Route 

22 to the eastern shore of South Bay on Lake 

Champlain in the Village of Whitehall, thence 

northerly along the eastern shore of South Bay 

to the New York-Vermont boundary. 

Closed Areas 

The following closed areas are specific 

portions of the state where the taking of deer 

and bear is prohibited by the Environmental 

Conservation Law. This section does not 

include areas covered by town laws, local 

ordinances or posting by landowners. 

Albany County 

Area around Alcove Reservoir: bounded by 

Albany County Rt. 111 from Rt. 143 to Albany- 

Greene County line to Albany County Rt. 

411 to Rt. 143 to point of beginning. Closed 

except to landowners and lessees of lands in 

the area actually occupying and cultivating 

such lands. 

Erie County 

Area around Buffalo: bounded by Tonawanda 

Creek from East Branch Niagara River to Rt. 

78 to Greiner Rd. to Rt. 268 to Rt. 5 to Ransom 

Rd. to Rt. 33 to Rt. 78 to Rt. 20 to Rt. 20A to 

Lake Erie. 

Herkimer County 

Area along Big Moose Lake: bounded by Judson 

Rd. from Herkimer-Hamilton County line to 

Higby Rd. to Big Moose Rd. to Martin Rd. and 

along it to its eastern end and then to the lake 

shore and back (starting westerly) along the 

shore to Herkimer-Hamilton County line and 

along it to Judson Rd. 

Herkimer And Hamilton Counties 

Area bounded by Rt. 28 from Old Forge to 

Inlet and by South Shore Rd. from Inlet to Old 

Forge. 

Nassau County 

All of Nassau County. 

New York City 

All of the city. 

LEGAL IMPLEMENTS FOR THE 

REGULAR DEER SEASON, EARLY 

AND REGULAR BEAR SEASON 

This map shows where various hunting 

implements may be used in the state. Boundary 

descriptions and closed areas are found below. 

See page 25 for deer and page 33 for bear 

season dates and open areas. (Some closed 

areas are too small to show on the map.) 

Bow, Crossbow*, Muzzleloader, Handgun, 

Shotgun, Rifle 

Bow Only 

NIAGARA 

ERIE 

ORLEANS 

GENESEE 

WYOMING 

CHAUTAUQUA CATTARAUGUS ALLEGANY 

MONROE 

LIVINGSTON 

ONTARIO 

STEUBEN 

WAYNE 

YATES 

SCHUYLER 

Bow, Crossbow,* Muzzleloader, Handgun, Shotgun 

SENECA 

CHEMUNG 

CAYUGA 

TOMPKINS 

ONONDAGA 

TIOGA 

OSWEGO 

JEFFERSON 

CORTLAND 

MADISON 

CHENANGO 

BROOME 

Closed 

Suffolk County: see page 20 

* For seasons that crossbow use is legal, see page 12. 

concerning special firearm season. 

* Crossbows may not be used during the regular season in Cortland County. 

LEWIS 

ONEIDA 

ST. LAWRENCE 

HERKIMER 

OTSEGO 

DELAWARE 

SULLIVAN 

HAMILTON 

FRANKLIN 

FULTON 

MONTGOMERY 

SCHOHARIE 

WARREN 

CLINTON 

ESSEX 

SARATOGA 

ALBANY 

GREENE 

ULSTER 

ORANGE 

SCHTDY 

ROCK 

LAND 

WASHINGTON 

RENSSELAER 

COLUMBIA 

DUTCHESS 

PUTNAM 

WEST 

CHESTER 

NASSAU 

Northern - Southern 

Zone Line 

More detailed 

written descriptions 

for Broome and 

Chautauqua counties 

can be found on our 

website at: 

www.dec.ny.gov/ 

outdoor/35010.html 

Implement Descriptions fOr Big Game Hunting 

The following describes implement requirements for Big Game Hunting. See map 

above to determine where each can be used. 

Bow —Long (stick), recurve or compound bow with a draw weight greater than 35 lbs. A 

legal arrowhead is nonbarbed, has 2 or more cutting edges and is at least 7 ⁄8 inches wide. 

Crossbow—consists of a bow, a string, and either compound or recurve limbs 

with minimum width of 17 inches (tip of limbs, uncocked), mounted on a stock. The 

stock shall have a trigger with a working safety that holds the string and limbs under 

tension until released. It shall have a minimum overall length from the butt of the 

stock to the front of the limbs of 24 inches and be able to launch a minimum 14 inch 

arrow/bolt, not including the legal arrowhead. It shall have a draw weight of 100 to 

200 pounds. 

Muzzleloader—Firearm loaded through the muzzle, a minimum bore of .44 inches 

and shooting a single projectile. Scopes or fiber-optic sights may be used at any time. 

Double-barreled muzzleloaders and percussion cap revolvers are not legal during 

the special muzzleloading season. If you hunt with a single-shot muzzleloading pistol, 

you must have a New York State pistol permit. 

Handgun—Any centerfire pistol or revolver. Barrel length may not exceed 16 

inches. Note: Nonresidents may not use handguns to hunt in New York. 

Shotgun—Must be 20 gauge or larger and fire a single projectile. Rifling in the 

barrel or choke is allowed. 

Rifle—Any centerfire rifle. 

It is illegal to hunt big game with: 

•• 

A fully automatic firearm 

•• 

A semi-autoloading firearm that holds more than 6 shells (except an autoloading 

pistol with a barrel length under 8 inches) 

•• 

Any firearm equipped with a silencer 

•• 

Any rifle using rimfire ammunition 

•• 

A firearm, crossbow or bow aided by any artificial light or a laser that projects a 

beam toward the target (use of illuminated reticle scopes, red dot scopes, or illuminated 

sight pins are allowed provided no light is projected toward the target) 

•• 

An air gun 

SUFFOLK 


Deer HuntING 

REGULAR & BOWHUNTING 

DEER SEASONS 

Hunting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset 

Last year's license is required when 

hunting prior to October 1. 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

NORTHERN ZONE 

Regular 

Bowhunting 

SOUTHERN ZONE 

Regular (opens Saturday) 

Bowhunting 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY (3S) 

Regular—Bowhunting Only Oct. 15–Dec. 31 

6F 

SUFFOLK COUNTY (1C) 

Regular—Bowhunting Only Oct. 1–Dec. 31 

Special Firearms—Weekdays Only Jan. 9–Jan. 31, 2012 

(Special Permit) 

WMUs with antler point restrictions (3C, 3H, 3J, 3K) 

(Bucks must have at least one antler with 

3 or more points that are at least 1 inch long) 

Closed 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9M 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9T 

9R 

9S 9X 

8A 

8G 

8M 

9P 

8C 

8H 

8N 

8P 

8T 

9Y 

8X 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

2011 

Oct. 22–Dec. 4 

Sept. 27–Oct. 21 

Nov. 19–Dec. 11 

Oct. 15–Nov. 18 

Dec. 12–Dec. 20 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6R 

6S 

4W 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

5H 

3M 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

3A 

3C 

3P 

4Y 4Z 

3J 3F 3G 

2A 

5C 

3R 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

Northern–Southern 

Zone Line 

1C 

For crossbow 

hunting see 

page 12. 

MUZZLELOADING 

DEER SEASONS 


9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9M 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9T 

9R 

9S 9X 

8A 

8G 

8M 

9P 

Deer of Either Sex 



Antlered Deer Only 


8C 

8H 

8N 

8P 

8T 

9Y 

8X 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

No Special Muzzleloading Season 

7H 

7A 

7R 


7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

Oct. 15–Oct. 21 

Dec. 5–Dec. 11 

Oct. 15–Oct. 21 

Oct. 15–Oct. 21 

Dec. 12–Dec. 20 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6R 

6S 

4W 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

3M 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

3A 

3C 

3P 

4Y 4Z 

3J 3F 3G 

WMUs with antler point resctrictions (3C, 3H, 3J, 3K) 

(Bucks must have at least one antler with 3 or more points that are at least 1 inch long.) 

2A 

5C 

3R 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

Northern–Southern 

Zone Line 

1C 

For crossbow 

hunting see 

page 12. 


He Deer a der HuntING 

Deer Tag Descriptions For all season dates see page 25. See page 27 for privilege information. 

Tag Can Be Used In 

tag is Valid for 

Regular Season Deer Tag Only you may hunt with this tag. No transferring tag to another hunter. 

Regular Season 

Northern Zone Oct 22–Dec 4 

Southern Zone Nov 19–Dec 11 

Westchester County 

Regular (bowhunting only) Oct 15–Dec 31 

Suffolk County 


Special Firearms Jan 9–31, 2012 

(weekdays only—special permit, see page 25) 

Late Season Bowhunting (privilege required) 

Southern Zone Dec 12–20 

Late Season Muzzleloading (privilege required) 

Northern Zone Dec 5–11 

(check open areas and dates on map on page 25) 


Antlered Deer Only 

Except: May be used for Antlered or 

Antlerless Deer as follows: 

• In Westchester County (WMU 3S). 

• In Suffolk County (WMU 1C). 

• In areas restricted to bowhunting only. 

(WMUs 4J and 8C) 

• In late seasons (with bowhunting or 

muzzleloading privilege). 

• Next Fall, September 27–30, 2012 in 

the Northern Zone bowhunting season 

with 2011/12 bowhunting privilege. 

Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Tag Only you may hunt with this tag. No transferring tag to another hunter. 

Bowhunting Season (privilege required) 

Northern Zone Oct 1–21* 

Southern Zone Oct 15–Nov 18, Dec 12–20 

Muzzleloading Season (privilege required) 

Northern Zone Oct 15–21, Dec 5–11 








(weekdays only —special permit) 

Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Tag Only you may hunt with this tag. No transferring tag to another hunter. 


Northern Zone Oct 1–21* 



Northern Zone Oct 15–21, Dec 5–11 

(check open areas and dates see map on page 25) 






Special Firearms Jan 9 –31, 2012 

(weekdays only—special permit) 

Deer Management Permit Deer Tag 

Regular Season 

Northern Zone Oct 22–Dec 4 

Southern Zone Nov 19–Dec 11 




Northern Zone Dec 5–11 








(weekdays only—special permit) 

* Last year’s tag required when hunting prior to October 1. 

Antlered or Antlerless Deer 

Bowhunting OR Muzzleloading seasons 

only (including the regular season in 

Westchester County and any season in 

Suffolk County). 

Junior Bowhunters will receive this tag, 

which will be valid in the special bowhunting 

seasons and during the regular season. 

Except: 

• May be used for antlered deer only during muzzleloading seasons 

in certain Northern Zone WMUs (see map page 25). 

• Next Fall, may be used for antlered or antlerless deer, September 27–30, 2012 

in the Northern Zone bowhunting season with 2011/12 bowhunting privilege. 

Antlerless Deer Only 

Bowhunting OR Muzzleloading seasons 

only (including the regular season in 

Westchester County and any season in 

Suffolk County). 

Except: 

• May not be used during muzzleloading 

seasons in certain Northern Zone WMUs 

that are Antlered Deer Only areas (see 

map page 25). 

• Next fall, may be used for antlerless deer only, September 27–30, 2012 in the 

Northern Zone bowhunting season with 2011/12 bowhunting privilege. 

Antlerless Deer Only 

Valid ONLY for the WMU specified 

and printed on the DMP Deer Tag 

(Deer Management Permit). See map on 

page 30. 

This is the only tag that can be 

transferred to another hunter 

(see page 28 for How to Transfer a !DMP Deer Carcass Tag). 


Deer HuntING 

Deer Hunting, 

Privileges and Tags 

Resident Hunter Licenses 

1. Small Game/Big Game, Sportsman License 

or Junior Hunting (age 14–15): You will 

receive a Regular Season Deer Tag. 

2. Muzzleloading Privilege:* You will receive 

a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Tag. 

3. Junior Bowhunting or Bowhunting Privilege:* 

You will receive a Bow/Mz Season 

Either Sex Tag. 

4. Conservation Legacy or Super Sportsman 

License: You will receive: 

ͪͪ 

one Regular Season Deer Tag 

ͪͪ 

one Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Tag 

ͪͪ 

one Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Tag 

5. Trapper Super Sportsman: You will receive: 

ͪͪ 


ͪͪ 


NOTE: Hunters who purchase a Small Game/ 

Big Game or Sportsman License PLUS BOTH 

Muzzleloading and Bowhunting privileges 

receive the same carcass tags as described in 

(4) above. 

* Residents must purchase a big game license to 

be eligible for Bowhunting and Muzzleloading 

privileges. 

Nonresident Hunters 

1. Nonresident Big Game or Nonresident 

Junior Hunting: You will receive a Regular 

Season Deer Tag. 

2. Nonresident Bowhunting or Nonresident 

Junior Bowhunting:* You will receive a 

Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Tag 

3. Nonresident Muzzleloading:* You will 

receive a Bow/Mz Season Either Sex Tag. 

4. Nonresident Super Sportsman: You will 

receive: 

ͪͪ 


ͪͪ 


ͪͪ 

one Bow/Mz Season Antlerless Tag 

* Nonresidents can purchase Bowhunting and 

Muzzleloading licenses without purchasing a 

regular big game license. If you purchase both 

Bowhunting and Muzzleloading licenses, you 

will receive one Bow/Mz Either Sex Deer Tag 

and one Bow/Mz Antlerless Deer Tag. Both 

tags may be used in either season. 

Up A Tree? 

You are much more 

likely to be seriously 

injured or killed by a 

tree stand fall than by 

being shot. 

Climb up and down with a fall 

restraint. Most falls happen when 

going up or down, or getting in or out 

of a stand. 

NEVER climb with a gun, crossbow or 

bow. Haul it with a rope—UNLOADED. 

Strap in FIRST. Use a harness 

that supports legs and torso, and 

a SHORT 

tether to 

prevent 

falls. 

“Permanent” 

homemade 

stands and 

steps rot! 

Use a sturdy 

portable 

stand. 


Deer HUNTING 

Deer Management Permits 

(DMPs) 

Hunters possessing a DMP may take one antlerless 

deer per permit in addition to any deer that 

may be taken with a regular big game license 

or bowhunting and muzzleloading privileges. 

• DMPs may not be used for legally antlered 

deer (at least one antler 3" or longer) 

• DMPs may only be used in the WMU for 

which they are issued. 

• Hunters may transfer or receive up to 2 

DMPs from other hunters (see box this page). 

• Refer to chart on page 26 for information on 

when DMPs may be used. 

Applying fOr A 

Deer Management Permit (dmp) 

• DMP Application Deadline: 

Close of business on October 1, 2011. 

• You may apply for DMPs at all license issuing 

outlets, by phone, mail or on-line beginning 

on August 15, 2011. 

• DMPs are available to all big game hunters 

age 14 years or older who purchase or possess 

a regular big game hunting license (12 years 

old for Junior Bowhunting license holders). 

• There is a $10 non-refundable application 

fee for all applicants, except for holders of 

Lifetime Sportsman licenses purchased 

prior to 9/30/2009, and Junior Hunters & 

Junior Bowhunters. 

• Know your Wildlife Management Unit 

(WMU) before you apply. If you are 

unsure of your unit, see the WMU 

maps on pages 64–71 of this guide or visit 

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html for 

written boundary descriptions. Your may 

also call the DMP Hotline for additional 

information at 1-866-472-4332. 

• You may apply for up to two DMPs. Both 

must be applied for at the same time. Application 

can be for DMPs in the same WMU 

or different WMUs. 

• Chances of selection for 1 st and 2 nd DMPs for 

Residents and Nonresidents can be viewed 

at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30409.html 

They are also posted at all license issuing 

outlets or you may call the DMP Hotline at 

1-866-472-4332. Chances of DMP selection 

remain the same throughout the entire DMP 

application period. 

• Disabled Veterans with a service-connected 

disability rated at 40% or greater (who are 

residents of New York) will receive preference 

on DMPs. Annually, you must bring a 

letter from the Veteran’s Administration, 

dated in the current year, with your case 

number and your disability percentage. If 

you are claiming permanent disabled status, 

the letter must clearly state that the servicerelated 

disability is ‘permanent.’ 

• Landowners: If you own 50 or more contiguous 

acres of land within the WMU you will 

be hunting in, you will receive preference 

on DMP selection. Annually, you must 

bring your tax map identification number 

and SWIS code (found on your tax bill) 

with you when you apply. Be sure to tell 

the license issuing agent PRIOR to applying 

that you are a landowner. Lessees do 

not qualify as landowners. A spouse of a 

landowner may receive landowner preference, 

but both husband and wife may not 

apply as a landowner for the same parcel of 

land. Corporate ownership: only one person 

may be designated by a corporation as the 

landowner each year no matter how many 

50-acre parcels are owned. The corporation 

must submit an original letter or certified 

copy of a resolution, dated in the current year, 

designating the individual and must include 

the tax map ID and SWIS code information. 

• Preference Points: 

ͪͪ 

Preference points are won and lost on 

first permit selection only. 

ͪͪ 

If you do not receive a DMP in your first 

choice WMU, you will receive a preference 

point for the following year. 

ͪͪ 

If you were rejected for a first permit in 

2010 and have a preference point for the 

2011 hunting season, this information is 

stored in DECALS and will be available 

to all license issuing agents. 

ͪͪ 

Preference points do not guarantee 

selection. Any preference points 

How To Transfer A dmp Deer Carcass Tag 

•• 

Hunter Art Fern of this DMP carcass 

tag must sign bottom. 

•• 

The DMP Deer Tag is given to Pete Moss. 

•• 

Hunter Pete Moss must record the 

DOC# tag on his reporting panel. 

This allows this DMP carcass tag to 

be transferred. 

•• 

Hunter Pete Moss is allowed only two 

transferred DMPs per year whether he 

uses the tag(s) or not. 

•• 

If Hunter Pete Moss does not use the 

DMP Deer Tag, he can give it back to 

Art Fern or give it to another hunter. 

The other hunter must then record the 

DOC# from the DMP deer tag on his/ 

her reporting panel. 

REMEMBER: Hunting licenses are not 

transferable. Only DMP Deer Tags can 

be used by another hunter. 

NOTE: To report a deer taken on a 

transferred DMP, the hunter who 

took the deer must call the automated 

reporting system (1-866-426-3778) 

or report via the internet at 

www.dec.ny.gov using the transferred 

DMP carcass tag DOC# and his/her own 

date of birth, along with other required 

information (see page 19). 

DMP carcass tag of Hunter Art Fern 

Reporting panel of Hunter Pete Moss 

!It is NOT legal to buy, sell, 

or offer to sell a DMP! 


Deer HuntING 

contained in your file are automatically 

applied to your first-choice WMU selection. 

If you do NOT receive your first 

choice, the points are applied to your 

second choice, but will remain in your 

file for the following year, regardless of 

your second choice selection results. 

DMP Selection Order 

During the Instant issuance, an applicant’s 

chances of selection are determined by an 

applicant’s category. The categories, in priority 

order, are as follows. 

1. Landowners (50 or more acres of land 

within a WMU) and Disabled Veterans 

(40% or more service-related disability). All 

applicants in this category will receive their 

first-choice DMP. 

2. NYS Residents with Preference Points 

3. NYS Residents without Preference Points 

4. Nonresidents with Preference Points 

5. Nonresidents without Preference Points 

Additional Opportunities fOr dmps 

Bonus DMPs: If you fill a DMP in bowhuntingonly 

WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J and 8C, you can apply for 

a bonus permit for a deer of either sex. Bonus 

permits may only be obtained from regional 

wildlife staff at predetermined locations. For 

complete information, visit our website or call 

a DEC regional wildlife office as follows: 

• WMU 1C: 1-631-444-0310 

• WMU 3S: 1-845-256-3098 

• WMU 4J: 1-518-357-2049 

• WMU 8C: 1-585-226-5380 

Leftover DMPs: If there are still permits 

remaining after the initial DMP Instant 

issuance period closes on October 1 and the 

backend correction selections have occurred, 

the remaining DMPs may be available on a 

first-come/first-served basis, beginning on 

or around November 1. These DMPs are only 

available in person at license-issuing agents. 

Leftover DMPs will not be available by phone or 

by mail. The Wildlife Management Units with 

permits available will be announced by news 

release and on our website (www.dec.ny.gov). 

If you already applied for a Deer Management 

Permit during the initial application period, 

there is no additional application fee. If you 

are applying for the first time this hunting 

season, you will have to pay a $10 application 

fee. Fee is waived for Resident and Nonresident 

Junior Hunters and Junior Bowhunters, and for 

Lifetime Sportsman licenses purchased prior 

to October 1, 2009. You will be allowed up to 

two DMPs during the first-come/first-served 

application period in addition to any you may 

have received during the initial application 

period. 

Deer Management Assistance Program 

The Deer Management Assistance Program 

(DMAP) enables wildlife biologists to help 

landowners and resource managers implement 

site specific deer management on their 

lands. In doing so, the DEC issues a special 

permit for use only during the open deer 

hunting seasons and a determined number 

of antlerless deer tags to landowners or 

resource managers whose property is in need 

of site specific deer management efforts. For 

more information on the program refer to 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/33973.html. 

Chances Of 

Selection 

Your Chances of 

Selection for First 

& Second DMPs by 

Wildlife Management Unit 

are available online at http://www. 

dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30409.html, 

posted at all License Issuing Outlets 

or by calling our Deer Management 

Permit hotline at 1-866-472-4332. 

How To Properly Fill Out Your Carcass Tag 

Carcass Tag 

Flip tag over 

It Is Against The Law 

To Improperly Or 

Incompletely Fill Out 

Your Carcass Tag. 

Use pen or permanent marker. 

•• 

Fill in Date, County, Town and WMU info 

•• 

Fill in antler point, sex of game and season taken info 

Mark or cut out 

Month and Day 

Check once 

reported 

Date of kill 

Sign your tag 

‘Hole’ for attaching 

to your game 


Deer HuntING 

NOTE: Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries have changed. Check your WMU carefully 

(see maps on pages 64–71) before applying for a DMP. 

DEER MANAGEMENT 

PERMITS 


9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9M 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9T 

9R 

9S 9X 

8A 

8G 

8M 

9P 

LEGEND 

NO Big Game Hunting 

Units with NO Deer Management Permits 

Units with Deer Management Permits 

WMU 1C is bowhunting only during regular season. 

Firearm season is restricted to January. 

Bowhunting Only Units 

8C 

8H 

8N 

8P 

8T 

9Y 

8X 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6R 

6S 

4W 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

3M 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

3A 

3C 

4Y 4Z 

3J 3F 3G 

3N 

3R 3S 

3P 

2A 

5C 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

1C 

DMAP Tags 

The Division of Lands and Forests 

in Sherburne, NY, will have dmap 

tags available for use only on Beaver 

Meadow State Forest in Chenango 

County this hunting season for interested 

hunters with a valid license. 

Tags are valid only for antlerless deer 

and will be loaned out on a weekly 

basis, determined by lottery drawing, 

depending on demand. Hunters may 

apply in person at the Sherburne 

Lands and Forests office, find the 

application on the DEC website, http:// 

www.dec.ny.gov/lands/66900.html, 

contact R7Info@gw.dec.state.ny.us or 

send a self addressed 

stamped envelope 

to the DEC Lands 

and Forests office in 

Sherburne requesting 

an application. NYS 

DEC, Division of 

Lands and Forests, 

2715 St a t e Hw y 

80, Sherburne, NY 

13460. 

Antler Restriction Program 

An antler point restriction is in place in WMUs 3C, 3H, 3J and 3K in Southeastern New 

York and is designed to protect a majority of yearling (1.5 years old) bucks from harvest. 

See the deer hunting season maps on page 25 for the WMUs with antler restrictions 

in 2011. Key elements of the antler point restriction include: 

•• 

Bucks taken in these WMUs must have at least one antler with 3 or more points (brow 

tines and main beam included) that are at least 1 inch long. 

•• 

The restriction applies on all public and private land within the WMUs. 

•• 

The restriction applies during all hunting seasons (bowhunting, regular and muzzleloading). 

•• 

Hunters under 17 years of age are exempt from the three point requirement. 

•• 

Antlerless deer are still classified as any deer having no antlers or antlers less than 

3 inches long. 

Voluntary Protection of Young Bucks – An Idea to Consider 

In areas without antler restrictions, consider voluntary protection of young bucks. 

Hunters interested in protecting young bucks and seeing older, larger bucks are encouraged 

to work with local hunting clubs and neighboring landowners to develop cooperative 

voluntary antler restriction programs. 

•• 

Many hunters are already participating in successful cooperative programs to voluntarily 

protect young bucks through an antler restriction of some form. 

•• 

Cooperative programs build community among hunters and landowners and actively 

engage participants in the deer management decisions for their hunting lands. 

•• 

Voluntary efforts provide the greatest program flexibility for landowners and hunting 

cooperatives. 

•• 

Protecting young bucks allows for more bucks to survive into older age classes. 

•• 

Having more bucks, including older bucks, in the population may increase marking 

behavior (rubs and scrapes) during the breeding season. 

•• 

By choosing not to harvest young bucks, your annual buck harvest rate will be reduced, 

but you may see these deer the following year as larger, older bucks. 

•• 

Having realistic expectations of what an antler restriction can accomplish 

is important to developing a successful program. To learn more, please see 

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27663.html or contact your regional DEC wildlife office. 


Chronic WastING Dise ase Inform ation 

Attention Deer Hunters in 

Oneida and Madison Counties 

There will NOT be a CWD containment 

area in Oneida and Madison Counties and 

there will be NO mandatory deer check for 

deer harvested in this area. Hunters may now 

freely move their deer carcasses outside of the 

previously established area. 

DEC is pleased to report that despite intensive 

testing of wild white-tailed deer, no additional 

cases have been detected in New York 

since 2005. A total of just over 7,300 deer were 

sampled in the Oneida and Madison County 

containment area since that time. Statewide, 

just under 34,000 deer have been sampled. 

New York will continue with yearly random 

sampling of harvested deer throughout all areas 

of the state. DEC will be very interested in 

any clinical deer that may be observed on 

the landscape. It is suggested that you call the 

nearest DEC Regional Wildlife Office (page 8) to 

report any deer exhibiting clinical signs. These 

would include deer showing signs of severe loss 

of body weight, displaying abnormal behavior, 

or becoming easily disoriented. Hunters should 

avoid harvesting these deer. 

Meat Unfit For Consumption 

If a deer, bear or turkey is found to be unfit for human consumption, 

a special permit may be issued that allows the hunter to take 

another deer or bear provided the season is still open. A permit will 

not be issued if meat is unfit due to hunter neglect. Call a wildlife or 

law enforcement office listed on page 8. 

Attention Hunters 

wHO Plan To Hunt 

Outside New York 

Hunters who plan to hunt deer, 

elk, or moose outside of New York 

and want to return with their 

trophies must know the nys CWD 

regulations. Current regulations 

affect importation of cervid (deer, elk, 

moose) carcasses and carcass parts 

from most states and some Canadian 

provinces and territories. Importation 

of carcass and carcass parts 

ARE ALLOWED from the following 

states and provinces and territories: 

United States: Alabama, 

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, 

Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, 

Massachusetts, Mississippi, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, North 

Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Vermont. 

Canada: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, 

Nunavut, Ontario, Prince 

Edward Island, Quebec. 

For areas NOT listed above or for 

further information on CWD, please 

refer to the DEC website: 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/ 


Or write to: 

CWD Regs 

625 Broadway 

Albany, NY 12233-4754 


Bear Facts 

The black bear is the most challenging of New 

York State's big game mammals. Bear hunting is 

an arduous task requiring patience, persistence 

and hard work. It is a physically demanding 

activity, especially removing a harvested bear 

from the woods. Hunters should begin a fitness 

program well before bear hunting season. Fall 

weather conditions in New York are unpredictable. 

A word to the wise—be prepared for just 

about any kind of weather. 

A couple of weekends during the summer or 

early fall would be an excellent time to locate 

a hunting area and familiarize yourself with 

the terrain. Topographical maps are highly 

recommended for this purpose. If you don't 

have time to scout an area, you may wish to 

hire a professional big game guide. A list of 

guides is available from the New York State 

Outdoor Guides Association: www.nysoga.org 

or call 866-469-7642. 

Black bears are omnivores that eat various 

and even unusual plant and animal materials. 

Bears are also opportunists, choosing foods that 

are easiest to obtain in quantity. A successful 

bear hunter recognizes that food availability 

changes from one year to the next and also 

during the bear hunting season. Planning 

is important and should include reviewing 

information on food habits and natural sign. 

Hunting Methods 

Hunting methods for bear in New York include 

still hunting, tracking, organized drives and 

stand hunting. When using any of these 

methods, your chances of success will be much 

greater if you find a favorable feeding area or 

travel corridor and concentrate your hunting 

in that area. A bear's eyesight is only average; 

however, its senses of smell and hearing are 

acutely developed, so you must pay attention 

to wind direction at all times. Pick a stand 

location or still hunt downwind of the place 

you expect a bear to move through. Bears are 

most active at dawn and dusk, which are the 

best times for stand and still hunting. During 

the middle of the day, you might want to try 

tracking a bear if there is snow on the ground 

and you find a fresh track. Drives that are set up 

to chase bears out of heavy cover or wetlands 

may also be effective during the day when bears 

are likely to be bedded down. Large groups of 

hunters sometimes are successful driving an 

entire mountainside or large swamp. 

Proper Care of a Bear Carcass 

After harvesting a bear, it is important to field 

dress it as quickly as possible. Like most game 

meat, the taste will depend on the care given 

just after the bear is killed. Also remember to 

complete your carcass tag immediately after 

taking a bear, and attach it to the bear as soon 

as you reach camp, home or your vehicle. 

Where to Go 

The Adirondack Mountain region offers the 

best traditional bear hunting areas in the state. 

Other areas are experiencing larger and faster 

expansion of bear populations and offer excellent 

hunting opportunities. In central-western 

New York, hunters should look to Steuben and 

Allegany counties. Growing population and 

range expansion mean that bears can be found 

throughout the southern tier, but odds increase 

Black Bear Harvest Density 

2010 

Bears per 100 Square Miles 

0 3.1 - 5.0 

0.1 - 1.0 5.1 - 10.0 

1.1 - 3.0 10.1 - 16.5 


Be a r HuntING 

closer to the Pennsylvania state border. In 

southeastern New York, the Catskill Mountain 

region offers the best opportunity to harvest 

a bear. New this year, black bear hunting will 

be open in a number of wildlife management 

units (WMU) in eastern New York, which 

previously were closed to bear hunting. They 

include WMUs 3F, 3G, 3N, 3R, 3S, 4C, 4K, 4L, 

4T, 4U, 4Y, 4Z, 5S and 5T. Bear populations in 

this area have been expanding during the past 

decade and are likely influenced by healthy bear 

numbers in surrounding states. 

Additional ResouRCes 

• Hunting the Black Bear in New York 


• New York State Black Bear Harvest 

Summary 


Bag Limits 

Resident and nonresident hunters may take 

one bear by gun, bow, or crossbow each license 

year. In the Southern Zone, you may not shoot 

a cub or a bear that should be known to be a 

cub, shoot any bear from a group of bears, or 

shoot or take a bear from its den. 

Northern Zone Bear 

Hunters who harvest a bear in the Northern 

Zone will be asked to submit part of the lower 

jaw or a tooth of the bear to determine the age 

of the bear. A collection packet including a 

postage-paid return jaw envelope and information 

explaining collection will be mailed to 

each hunter that reports a bear. There are many 

cooperating taxidermists within New York that 

can remove and submit teeth, so check with 

your taxidermist. Generally, taxidermists do 

not use teeth or the lower jaw for their mounts. 

Southern Zone Bear 

DEC wildlife staff would like to examine bears 

harvested in the Southern Zone before they 

are skinned or butchered and will make every 

attempt to contact hunters to check their bear. 

When reporting a bear, hunters will be asked 

to provide name, phone number, and location 

or address where the bear can be examined. 

If wildlife staff are not available, bears can be 

examined by cooperating taxidermists and 

meat cutters. Bears may also be examined at the 

Monticello Fire Department in Sullivan County. 

Available for viewing 

or loan from your 

local library or local 

DEC regional wildlife 

office. 

“Living with New York Black Bears” 

(Great Outdoors Multimedia 2007). 

Take an inside look at the mysterious 

world of black bears and learn some 

secrets to sharing the landscape 

with bears. This video 

will explore the history of 

black bears, the challenges 

that face New York black 

b ear biologis t s, and 

how landowners can 

responsibly and safely 

share their neighborhood 

with bears. 

Know Of Any 

aCtive Bear Dens? 

DEC wants to know about occupied 

dens. Please call the nearest wildlife 

office. See page 8. 

New York State 

Bear Management 

COOperator Program 

The Bureau of Wildlife is 

requesting the assistance 

of successful black bear 

hunters in New York State. 

Hunters who harvest a bear in 

New York are reminded to report 

their harvest through the DECALS 

telephone system at 1-866-426-3778 

(1-866-GAMERPT) or use the new 

online Harvest Reporting System 

at www.dec.ny.gov. A collection 

packet including tooth extraction 

instructions will be 

sent explaining how to 

remove and return a 

small tooth from the 

bear. For Southern 

Zone harvested 

bears, a DEC wildlife 

biologist may contact 

you to examine your 

bear and will at that 

time remove a tooth. 

Report your bear 

and return a bear tooth to receive 

a commemorative 2011 NYS 

Black Bear Cooperator Patch. 

BLACK BEAR SEASONS 


Last year’s license is required 

when hunting prior to October 1. 

9A 

Early Sept. 17–Oct. 14 

Regular Oct. 22–Dec. 4 

Muzzleloading Oct. 15–Oct. 21 

Bowhunting Sept. 27–Oct. 21 

Regular Nov. 19–Dec. 11 

Muzzleloading Dec. 12–Dec. 20 

Bowhunting Oct. 15–Nov. 18 

Dec. 12–Dec. 20 

Westchester County (3S) Oct. 15–Dec. 31 

Regular–Bowhunting Only 

Closed 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9H 

9G 

9N 

9M 

9K 

9W 

9J 

9T 

9R 

9S 9X 

9S open except 

Allegany State Park 

8A 

8G 

8M 

8C 

8H 

8N 

8P 

9P 

8T 

9Y 

8X 

NYS Route 26 

8F 

8J 

7H 

8R 8S 

7R 

8W 

8Y 

7A 


7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6R 

6S 

4W 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

4Y 

3A 4Z 

3C 

3J 3F 3G 

3M 

3P 

2A 

5C 

3R 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

1C 

For crossbow 

hunting see 

page 12. 


Special Seasons Designated 

for 

Young Hunters 

sHare yOur Knowledge 

ReCOnnect tO Nature 

Take A Junior Hunter Afield 

During tHese Special Seasons 

Tyler Martin, age 12 

Youth Turkey Hunt, 

April 2008 

Dakota Loft, age 13, 

Youth Pheasant Hunt, Fall 2010 

Wyoming Co. 

DEC provides special hunting opportunities 

for junior hunters (licensees ages 12–15) by 

offering youth hunts for waterfowl, wild turkey, 

and pheasants. Junior hunters must have a valid 

small game license and are required to have a 

licensed adult hunter accompany them during 

the youth hunts. Adults are required to have 

a valid hunting license and are not allowed to 

possess a firearm or harvest an animal during 

the special seasons. Both the junior and adult 

hunters are required to have a turkey permit 

for the turkey hunt and current HIP registration 

for the waterfowl hunt. A 2010/11 hunting 

license is needed to hunt on any youth day in 

September, and a 2011/12 license is needed 

after October 1 st . 

Migratory game bird hunting regulations are 

set by the federal government in late summer. 

Final waterfowl seasons and bag limits will be 

announced in September, so be sure to check 

the DEC website or the waterfowl hunting guide 

prior to going afield. 

Youth Pheasant Hunt 

Northern and Eastern New York September 24–25, 2011 

Western New York October 8–9, 2011 

Youth Waterfowl Hunt 

Waterfowl Hunting Zone 

Tentative Dates 

Northeastern September 17–18, 2011 

Southeastern September 17–18, 2011 

Lake Champlain September 24–25, 2011 

Western October 8–9, 2011 

Long Island November 12–13, 2011 

Youth Wild Turkey Hunt 

Upstate NY (north of Bronx-Westchester Co. 

boundary) and Suffolk County 

April 21–22, 2012 


Junior Hunter/Trapper Mentoring Program 

Junior Hunter 

Mentoring Program 

New 12–13 Year Old Junior 

Bowhunters Can Now Hunt Deer And 

Bear With A Bow, If They Meet The 

fOllowing Requirements: 

• Have completed a course in both Hunter 

Education and Bowhunter Education. 

• Purchase a Junior Bowhunting License. 

• Be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, 

or a “youth mentor” who is 21 years or 

older and designated in writing by the junior 

hunter’s parent or legal guardian (use the 

form below). 

• The adult accompanier needs to have at least 

3 years experience in hunting deer or bear 

by longbow AND have a license to hunt big 

game in the same seasons. 

• The adult accompanier needs to be close 

enough to talk to each other without the aid 

of a phone or radio, and needs to be able to 

see each other at all times. 

14 And 15 Year Old Junior Hunting 

License Holders Can Hunt Deer And 

Bear With A Gun, If They Meet The 

fOllowing Requirements: 

• Have completed a course in Hunter 

Education. 

• Purchase a Junior Hunting License. 


or a "youth mentor" who is 21 years or older 

designated in writing (use the form below). 

• The adult accompanier needs to have at least 

3 years hunting experience AND have a 

license to hunt big game in the same seasons. 

• The adult need to be close enough to talk 

without the aid of a phone or radio, and 

need to be able to see each other at all times. 

• Junior Hunter must stay on the ground and 

cannot use an elevated (tree) stand. 

• Both junior hunter and adult accompanier 

must wear hunter orange: Shirt or jacket 

with 250 sq. inches of solid/patterned orange 

(the pattern must be at least 50% orange) 

OR a hat with at least 50% orange visible in 

all directions. 

14–15 Year Old Junior Bowhunters And 

16–17 Year Old Big Game Hunters Must: 


or person 18 years or older designated in 

writing (use form below). 

• The adult accompanier needs to have at 

least 1 year hunting experience AND have a 

license to hunt big game in the same seasons. 

Trapping Mentoring Program 

Trappers under 12 years of age: 

• May accompany and assist a licensed trapper 

who has at least 3 years of trapping 

experience. 

• May assist the licensed trapper in all aspects 

of trapping without possessing a trapping 

license. 

• The licensed trapper may be a parent or 

legal guardian, or someone 18 years or older 

designated in writing (use the form below). 

• If trapping on your own and you are under 12 

years, you will need to successfully complete 

New York's Trapper Education Program. 

• To continue trapping once you are 12 years, 

you need to take the class. 

Share yOur Hunting & 

Trapping pHOtos With Us! 

Help us celebrate the successes of 

young & first-time hunters and trappers 

by submitting photographs to 

DEC's Hunter & Trapper Photo Gallery. 


Instructions for submitting photographs 

are included on the photo 

gallery webpage. 

Joseph Maslanka, age 15, 

Cattaraugus Co. 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

Mentored Youth Hunter and Trapper 

Permission Form 

Use this form to designate a licensed adult hunter or trapper to accompany young hunters or trappers. 

I, ___________________________________________ am the parent/legal guardian 

(Print name of parent or legal guardian above.) 

(Please circle one.) 

of _ __________________________________________ , and I hereby give permission for him or her 

(Print name of young hunter/trapper above.) 

to be accompanied by_________________________________________ whom I acknowledge meets 

(Print name of adult hunter/trapper above.) 

the legal age, experience, and licensing requirements to function as a mentor during hunting and trapping seasons. 

Signature: _ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 

(Parent or legal guardian sign above.) 

Date __________________ 

(Print today’s date above.) 

Telephone Number __________________________ 

(Print phone number above.) 

Attention Young Hunter or Trapper: carry this form with you while afield. 


Wildlife 

Research 

Update 

Using Sound Science to Help Manage Wildlife Resources 

In an ongoing effort to understand the 

current status of wildlife, their habitats, 

and public concerns and expectations, the 

Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources 

continued its many research initiatives in 2011. 

Successful long-term management of wildlife 

populations requires knowledge attained 

through rigorous science. The Division and its 

many partners in conservation are committed to 

research that helps us understand and develop 

solutions for the problems faced by wildlife. 

The following paragraphs highlight a few 

of the wildlife research projects currently 

underway. 

Black Bear Ecology and 

Population Estimates in an 

Expanding Bear Population 

Black bear populations are thriving in New York 

State, having increased in number and distribution 

throughout the southern tier. Bears are 

now more frequently seen in areas with higher 

human populations and agriculture, resulting 

in increased human-bear conflicts. To better 

understand bear ecology as populations expand, 

DEC has partnered with the New York State 

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 

on two projects in south-central New York. 

Bear Habitat and Space Use: Data from 

GPS-collared bears will be used to determine 

how movements are defining home ranges in 

both core areas and recently expanded bear 

ranges. Additionally, we will evaluate habitat 

selection and temporal variation in space use 

between bears in the core and the expanded 

range. 

Bear Population Density: To estimate black 

bear density, we will conduct a non-invasive, 

genetic-mark recapture study to collect black 

bear hair samples from barbed-wire snares. 

Additionally, this study will analyze landscape 

genetics, potentially identifying features facilitating 

and/or inhibiting black bear gene flow. 

Impact of Wild Food Abundance on Black 

Bear Ecology and Nuisance Behavior 

Why do some summers in the Adirondack Park 

have more human-black bear conflicts than 

others? Is nuisance-bear activity related to the 

crop cycle of beechnuts, their main source of fat? 

Do black bear sows synchronize cub production 

with the beechnut cycle? To better understand 

and predict bear behavior, DEC has partnered 

with researchers at SUNY-ESF to analyze data, 

tracking natural food abundance in the central 

Adirondacks in combination with annual 

records of bear harvest and human-bear conflict 

levels. Preliminary findings indicate that: 

• Abundance of summer foods (e.g., red 

raspberry) tends to fluctuate in unison with 

cycles of beechnut production and may 

act as the catalyst for fluctuating levels of 

nuisance-bear activity. 

• More bear cubs are born in winters following 

an abundant beechnut crop. 

• Black bear take by hunters tends to increase 

during the early season in years with abundant 

soft mast (e.g., berries and fruit) and 

also increases during the regular season when 

beechnuts are widely available. 

Common Merganser Feeding Habits 

Since the 1980s, common mergansers have 

expanded their breeding range across southern 

and western New York. Because they are fisheating 

birds, mergansers may be preying on 

hatchery-reared brown trout that DEC stocks in 

many streams to enhance recreational fishing 

opportunities. Therefore, DEC has partnered 

with SUNY-ESF to assess the potential impact 

of common mergansers on trout stocked in the 

west branch of the Delaware River in Delaware 

County. To study the abundance, movements 

and diet of these birds, we captured and 

banded 87 common 

mergansers during the 

past three springs. In 

2011, 12 male mergansers 

were tagged with 

special satellite transmitters 

to track their 

movements during 

spring, summer and 

early fall. Results of 

this study will help 

determine whether 

mergansers are taking 

significant numbers 

of stocked trout and, 

if necessary, will help 

DEC staff identify 

ways to reduce the 

impact in areas with 

high merganser popu- 

SUNY-ESF graduate student Josh Stiller 

releasing a common merganser as part 

of a study to evaluate the impacts of 

mergansers on stocked trout. Photo 

courtesy Josh Stiller. 

lations. The study will also provide new information 

on migration habits of mergansers and 

their exposure to environmental contaminants. 

This study is expected to be completed by 

December 2011. 

Wild Turkey Fall Harvest Potential 

In fall 2010, DEC partnered with the National 

Wild Turkey Federation and SUNY-ESF to 

investigate the wild turkey harvest potential of 

landscapes within New York State. Important 

factors that affect turkeys in New York include 

spring weather effects on reproductive success, 

winter weather effects on survival, effects of 

landscape configuration on reproduction and 

survival and hunter harvest rates, especially 

during fall when hens may be legally taken. 

New York State currently has six fall turkey 

hunting zones. Each zone has a distinct 

combination of season length (1–7 weeks) and 

bag limit (1–2 per day and season), but each 

may also include ecological units that have 

very different turkey harvest potential. With 

advances in GIS, much new information on 

turkey populations (e.g., productivity, harvest 

DEC and SUNY ESF are developing a 

model of wild turkey harvest potential for 

different landscapes in New York. 


and survival rates) and continued high demand 

for turkey hunting opportunity, a more ecologically 

based delineation of turkey harvest zones 

is warranted. This project will help determine 

the best spatial scale for wild-turkey management 

and enable us to delineate season zones 

based on key ecological factors. This will help 

us provide as much harvest opportunity as 

possible, while ensuring sustainable use of the 

wild turkey resource. 

Status and Distribution of River Otter 

River otter populations are 

managed via harvest data in 

about one-third of the state. 

In the remaining two-thirds, 

harvest is not allowed, and the 

status of otter populations is 

unknown. This area includes 

“zones” where harvest was 

restricted about 10 years ago and 

a larger area where an otter reintroduction effort 

was conducted in the late 1990s. In 2010, DEC 

partnered with SUNY-ESF to develop harvestindependent 

survey methods for monitoring 

unharvested otter populations. Intensive sign 

surveys were completed in winter 2011 in the 

St. Lawrence River Valley (an area with dense 

otter populations that may be trapped) and 

the Mohawk River Valley (a low-density area 

where harvest was restricted). Completion of 

this study is expected in December 2011. 

Population Status of Eastern Coyotes 

How many coyotes live in New York State? 

According to researchers at SUNY ESF, about 

A coyote captured in 

Steuben County and 

fitted with a radio 

collar. Photo courtesy 

Scott Smith. 

33,500. This number is the result of a rigorous 

research project led by graduate student Sara 

Hansen from SUNY ESF. Sara led a team of nine 

technicians who broadcast howls throughout 

the night and all over the state during July- 

August 2010 to count the coyotes that howled 

back. This novel research linked traditional 

call-response surveys with modern “distance 

sampling” techniques, where the distance to a 

calling coyote provided the key to correcting 

for coyotes missed during the survey. Sara’s 

team recorded from 1-6 coyotes during a given 

survey, with the average group size being 2 adult 

coyotes. Coyotes were encountered by Sara’s 

team in only 24% of 541 surveys, and previous 

A river otter. Photo courtesy Matt Lerow. 

research shows an average response rate of 36% 

for resident coyotes. After accounting for the 

non-responding individuals, the estimated 

density of coyotes ranged from 6.8 coyotes/10 

square miles in the Adirondacks and Southern 

Tier to closer to 16.6 coyotes/10 square miles 

in the Mohawk and St. Lawrence river valleys. 

Coyote densities in New York State are on par 

with reports elsewhere in the eastern U.S., 

and represent the peak size of the resident 

coyote population (early August) which will 

decline through fall and winter as individuals 

disperse and the trapping and hunting seasons 

commence. 

2011–12 Hunting & Trapping Guide 37 

MeoPro_quarter_vertical_ad.indd 1 

5/26/10 11:16:45 AM

Sm a ll G a me HuntING 

Small game includes upland and migratory 

game birds, small game mammals, and reptiles 

and amphibians. 

Please read general hunting regulations 

first. See page 18. 

General Regulations 

• You may not use a rifle or handgun to hunt 

pheasant or migratory game birds. See page 

42 for more information on turkeys. 

• See pages 46–49 for additional information on 

migratory game birds. 

• Air guns may be used to hunt squirrels, 

rabbits, hares, ruffed grouse, and furbearers 

that may be hunted (e.g., raccoons and 

coyotes) and unprotected species (see page 19). 

Air guns may not be used to hunt waterfowl, 

pheasant, wild turkey, or big game. 

• In Wildlife Management Unit 2A, hunting 

is permitted by falconry only. 

Reptiles And Amphibians 

Frogs—“Frogs” are defined as eastern spadefoot 

toad, eastern American toad, Fowler’s toad, 

northern cricket frog, northern gray treefrog, 

northern spring peeper, western chorus frog, 

bullfrog, green frog, mink frog, wood frog, 

northern leopard frog, southern leopard frog, 

and pickerel frog. 

A fishing or small game license is required to 

take frogs with a spear, club, hook, or by hand. 

A small game license is required to take frogs 

with a gun or bow. 

Snakes, Lizards, and Salamanders—You may 

not harvest, take, or possess any native snakes, 

lizards, or salamanders at any time. 

Turtles—The only turtle species for which there 

is an open hunting season are the snapping 

turtle and the diamondback terrapin. You may 

not harvest, take, or possess any other turtle 

species at any time. 

Snapping turtles—A small game hunting 

license is required to take snapping turtles. 

The only legal implement for taking snapping 

turtles is a gun or a bow. 

If you choose to eat snapping turtles, you 

should carefully trim all fat and discard 

fat, liver and eggs prior to cooking to 

reduce exposure to contaminants. For 

information on these health advisories, 

call 1-800-458-1158 or visit the website 

www.health.state.ny.us. 

Diamondback terrapin—A valid diamondback 

terrapin license is required to take diamondback 

terrapin. Application for, and purchase 

of, a diamondback terrapin license must be 

made by mail or in person at NYSDEC, SUNY 

Stony Brook, 50 Circle Road, Stony Brook, NY 

11790‐3409. 

Diamondback terrapin may only be taken 

using dip nets, hand capture, seine nets, and 

traps. The traps must be capable of capturing 

diamondback terrapin alive, and the trap must 

be marked with a tag bearing the name and 

address of the licensee and must be checked daily. 

Possession of a diamondback terrapin on 

the waters or shores of New York State during 

the closed season is prohibited. Diamondback 

terrapin legally taken during the open season 

may be sold throughout the year only if they 

were killed and processed for consumption 

prior to May 5. 

Use Of Hunting Dogs 

Falconry Seasons 

To hunt small game species with trained 

raptors you must possess a Falconry License 

and a small game license. Licensed falconers 

may take small game from October 1 through 

March 31 in any area of the state open to hunting 

these species EXCEPT: 

• Waterfowl may be taken only during the 

regular firearm hunting season or during 

a specific period outside of the firearms 

seasons as specified by DEC. 

• Common crow may only be taken during 

the open firearms season. 

• A licensed falconer may take both male and 

female pheasants anywhere in the state when 

hunting under a Falconry License. 

For more information on falconry contact 

the DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, 

Albany, NY 12233-4752 or call 518-402-8985. 

Dogs may be used to hunt small game, except: 

•• 

You may not use dogs to hunt wild turkey in the spring. 

•• 

In the Northern Zone, if you are hunting with a dog, or accompanied by a dog, you 

may not possess a rifle larger than .22 caliber rim-fire or possess a shotgun loaded 

with slug, ball or buckshot unless you are coyote hunting with a dog. 

Training—You may train dogs on raccoon, fox, coyote, and bobcat from July 1 

through April 15. You may train dogs on other small game only from August 15 

through April 15. You may train dogs at any time on lands you own, lease, or have 

written permission to use, if you are not training on wild game. You may only use 

blank ammunition when training dogs, except during an open season. 

Control—Hunting dogs should remain under control of the hunter or trainer, especially 

on lands inhabited by deer. Do not shoot dogs; report stray dogs to a local 

Environmental Conservation Officer or your local animal control officer. 



Possession & Release 

Of Game Birds 

It is illegal to possess or release migratory 

game birds and upland game birds without 

the proper license(s) from DEC. Before you 

take possession of any captive-reared or wild 

game birds, contact DEC Special Licenses Unit, 

625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752 or call 

518-402-8985. 

Notice: Feral Swine Are A 

Harmful, Invasive Species 

DEC is working to eradicate feral 

swine from NY's landscape. 

Hunters with small game hunting 

privileges may shoot and keep 

feral swine, at any time, and in any 

number. 

If you shoot or see a feral swine, please 

report it at fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us 

Open Season June 15–Sept. 30 

Frogs 

All wildlife management units except that (1) leopard 

Open Area 

frogs shall not be taken in wildlife management units 1A, 

1C, or 2A; and (2) northern cricket frogs and eastern 

spadefoot toads shall not be taken in any area of the state. 

Size Limit None 

Daily Bag None 

Season Bag None 


Any time of the day or night, except that no person shall use a gun to take 

frogs when hunting at night (sunset to sunrise). 

Snapping Turtles 

Open Season July 15–Sept. 30 

Open Area Statewide 

Size Limit 

The upper shell (carapace) must be 12 inches or longer, measured in a 

straight line. 

Daily Bag 5 

Season Bag 30 

Hunting Hours Any time of the day or night. 

Diamondback Terrapin 

Open Season Aug. 1–April 30 

Open Area 

All of Long Island, New York City, and the lower Hudson River north to the 

Tappan Zee Bridge. 

Size Limit 

The upper shell (carapace) must measure at least 4 inches, but may not be 

greater than 7 inches in length. 

Daily Bag None 

Season Bag None 

Hunting Hours Any time of the day or night. 



Attention 

Populations 

of a species of 

cottontail, called 

the New England 

cottontail, are 

poorly understood. 

By examining the 

rabbit's skull, we 

can differentiate 

this species 

from eastern 

cottontails. If you hunt in WMUs 

3F, 3G, 3N, 3S, 4C, 4K, 4L, 4Z, 4U, 

4T, or 4Y contact us to help with our 

survey effort. Call 518-402-8870 or 

e-mail fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us 

(type "NE cottontail" in the subject 

line). 

COTTONTAIL 

RABBIT HUNTING 


9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

Season Dates 

2011/12 Daily Bag Limits 

Oct. 1–Mar. 18 

Oct. 1–Feb. 29 

Nov. 1–Feb. 29 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

6 

6 

6 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

4C 

4L 

1C 

VARYING HARE 

HUNTING 


9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

Season Dates 


Oct. 1–Mar. 18 

6 

Jan. 1–Jan. 31 

2 

Dec. 12–Feb. 29 

2 

Closed 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

4C 

4L 

1C 

GRAY, BLACK & 

FOX SQUIRREL 

HUNTING 


9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 

Season Dates 


Sept. 1–Feb. 29 6 

Nov. 1–Feb. 29 6 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

4C 

4L 

Last year's license 

is required when 

hunting prior to 

October 1. 

Red Squirrels are 

unprotected, and may be 

hunted at any time 

without limit. 

1C 



PHEASANT HUNTING 


5A 

*At press time, regulatory 

changes were being 

considered that would 

establish a Youth Hunt 

for pheasants on Long 

Island. Please check 

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/ 

29453.html for the latest 

information. 

Cocks only 

Cocks & hens 

Cocks only east of 

Shinnecock Canal & Inlet 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9M 

9T 

9S 

9H 

9N 

9W 

2011/12 2011 

Regular Season Dates Youth Hunt Dates 

Oct. 15–Dec. 31 Oct. 8–Oct. 9 

Oct. 15–Feb. 29 Oct. 8–Oct. 9 

Oct. 1–Feb. 29 Sept. 24–Sept. 25 

Nov. 1–Dec. 31 No Youth Hunt* 

Nov. 1–Dec. 31 No Youth Hunt* 

9R 

9X 

8A 

8G 

8M 

9P 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

7H 

8S 

8Y 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

Bag Limits 

Daily Season 

2 — 

2 — 

2 — 

4 30 

4 30 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

4W 

6R 

6S 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

3M 

5F 

5J 

5T 

5S 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

4Y 

3A 4Z 

3C 

3J 3F 3G 

3P 

2A 

5C 

3R 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

1C 

BOBWHITE QUAIL 

HUNTING 


SULLIVAN 

Oct. 1–Feb. 29 4 10 

Nov. 1–Dec. 31 6 40 

Closed 

ULSTER 

ORANGE 

ROCK 

LAND 

BRONX 

NEW YORK 

QUEENS 

KINGS 

RICHMOND 

DUTCHESS 

PUTNAM 

WEST 

CHESTER 

Season Dates 

2011/12 

NASSAU 

SUFFOLK 

Bag Limits 

Daily Season 

Youth pHeasant Hunt 

Junior hunters (ages 12–15) must 

be accompanied by a licensed adult 

hunter. Only the junior hunter may 

carry a firearm. A 2010/11 license 

is needed when hunting prior to 

October 1, 2011. 

Attention 

If you would like to raise and release pheasants to increase 

pheasant hunting opportunities, please email us at 

fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us and type ‘pheasants’ in the 

subject line or call (607) 273-2768. For a list of hunting 

areas where pheasants are released, contact a DEC 

regional wildlife office (on page 8) or visit our website at 


RUFFED GROUSE 

HUNTING 


9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

7H 

8S 

Season Dates 


Sept. 20–Feb. 29 4 

Oct. 1–Feb. 29 4 

Closed 

8Y 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

4W 

6R 

6S 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

3M 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5T 

5S 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

4Y 

3A 4Z 

3C 

3J 3F 3G 

3P 

2A 

5C 

3R 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

1C 

Attention Grouse Hunters 

You may not shoot woodcock unless you have 

registered in the Harvest Information Program. 

To register go to www.NY-HIP. com or call 

1-888-427-5447. (See woodcock season dates, 

page 48.) 

Last year’s license is required when hunting prior 

to October 1. 

Attention 

DEC is seeking grouse hunters 

to participate in a survey to 

help monitor ruffed grouse 

populations. For more information, 

please email us at 

fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us 

and type “grouse log” in the subject line, call 

(518) 402-8883, or visit www.dec.ny.gov and 

search for “grouse hunter log.” 


Turk e y HuntING 

General Information 

• You may buy only one turkey permit per year. 

• If you have filled your bag limit, you may call 

turkeys for another hunter, but you may not 

carry a bow or firearm. 

• If you have taken a turkey that is unfit for 

consumption, authorized DEC staff may 

issue a special permit to take another. You 

will have to surrender the carcass. Call your 

wildlife or law enforcement office (see page 8). 

Manner of Taking 

• You must carry your hunting license and 

turkey permit while you hunt. 

• You may hunt with a bow. 

• You may hunt with a shotgun or handgun 

only when using shot no larger than # 2 and 

no smaller than # 8. 

• You may not take a turkey with a rifle, or 

with a handgun firing a bullet. 

• You may use a muzzleloading shotgun. 

• You may not hunt with a dog during the 

spring season. You may hunt with a dog 

during the fall season. 

• You may not use bait to hunt turkey. 

• You may not use an electronic calling or 

amplifying device to locate or hunt turkeys 

during the open season. 

• You may use decoys. 

• A scope of any type is allowed. 

Tagging and Possession 

• Immediately after taking a wild turkey, you 

must fill out the appropriate carcass tag in 

ink, mark or cut out the date and month of 

kill, and attach it to the carcass. 

• The carcass tag must stay attached to the 

turkey carcass until it is prepared for eating. 

• You may give your turkey to another person 

• You must attach a tag with the following 

information to the turkey carcass: 

1. Your name 

2. Your address 

3. Your hunting license number 

4. Turkey permit carcass tag number 

5. The recipient’s name 

6. The recipient’s address 

• You must report your harvest within 7 days 

via phone (1-866-GAMERPT) or internet 

(www.dec.ny.gov). 

Turkey Hunting Tips 

•• 

Successful turkey hunters sit and call. 

•• 

Don’t wear red, white, blue or black. 

•• 

Most turkey hunting injuries happen 

when one hunter stalks another 

hunter. DON’T try TO stalk 

turkey! 

•• 

Assume anything that sounds like a 

turkey is a human (calls, footsteps). 

If you see another hunter… 

•• 

Don’t move, or wave or nod. 

•• 

Don’t make turkey or animal sounds. 

•• 

Do speak up clearly, saying “STOP.” 

If you see a turkey… 

Be 100% sure of your target 

and beyond. 



Hen Or Gobbler? 

Only bearded wild turkeys may be taken during the spring 

season. This regulation helps protect female turkeys during 

the nesting period. Yes, some hens do have beards, but they 

represent only 3–6% of the female population. 

Although few hens are taken, their loss reduces the reproductive 

potential of the population. That loss is avoidable if you remember these tips: 

Feature GOBBLER HEN 

Head red, blue and white colors blue-gray color 

Body dark, brown-black light, rusty-brown 

Beard long bristle-like beard usually no beard 

Spurs usually ½-inch or longer spurs usually no spurs 

Calls gobble, drum yelp, cluck, cut 

Strut strut with tail fan and wing droop no strut 

Size larger than hen ½ to ⅔ size of gobbler 



Fall Turkey Season 

• You may take a bird of either sex. 

• In a two-bird area, you may take both birds 

in one day. 

• There are two carcass tags for the fall season. 

Use “statewide” tag in any turkey hunting 

area. Use “two-bird area” tag only in an area 

with a two-bird bag limit. Immediately after 

taking a turkey, you must fill out the carcass 

tag in ink and attach it to the bird. 

• If you take a turkey, save one leg from each 

turkey you take. You will receive instructions 

about what to do with the leg when 

you report. The legs are used for age and 

sex information. 

Spring Turkey Season 

• In the spring you may take two bearded 

birds. You may only take one bird per day. 

• Fill out the carcass tag and attach it to the bird. 

• You do not need to save and send in turkey 

legs in the spring. You do need to take careful 

spur, beard, and weight measurements for 

harvest reporting. 

1. Spur measurements: Spurs should be 

measured from the tip of the spur to the 

base of the spur, where it emerges from 

the scaly part of the leg. Measure to the 

nearest ¼ inch. Do not measure to the 

forward edge of the leg, only to the base 

of the spur. 

2. Beard measurements: Beards should be 

measured from the tip of the beard to 

the base, where it emerges from the skin. 

Put the end of your ruler against the 

base of the beard and extend the beard 

along the body of the ruler. Measure to 

the nearest ¼ inch. 

3. Record the weight of the turkey to the 

nearest pound. 

FALL TURKEY SEASON 


9J 

8A 

9A 

9F 8G 

9A 

9C 

9H 

9G 

9N 

9K 

9M 

9W 

9T 

9R 

9S 9X 

Season Dates 2011 

Oct. 1–Oct. 21 

Oct. 1–Oct. 21 

Oct. 1–Nov. 18 

Oct. 22–Nov. 4 

Oct. 22–Nov. 18 

Nov. 19–Nov. 23 

Closed 

8M 

8C 

8H 

8N 

8P 

9P 

8T 

9Y 

8X 

8F 

8J 

7H 

8R 8S 

7R 

8W 

8Y 

7A 

Season Bag Limits 

1, either sex 

2, either sex * 

2, either sex * 

1, either sex 

1, either sex 

1, either sex 

7F 

7J 

7S 

* In 2-bird areas, you may 

take both birds in one day 

SPRING TURKEY SEASON (no map) 


One half-hour before sunrise to noon 

Area Open 

All of upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary 

Season Dates 

May 1–May 31 

Season Bag Limits 

Two bearded turkeys (one bird per day) 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6R 

6S 

4W 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

4Y 

3A 4Z 

3C 

3J 3F 3G 

3M 

3N 

3R 3S 

3P 

2A 

5C 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

1C 

SPRING YOUTH HUNT 

Season Dates 

April 21 –22, 2012 

Area Open 

Same as regular spring season 

plus Suffolk County (WMU 1C) 

Eligible hunters 

Youth 12–15 years of age 

Bag Limit 

One bearded turkey 

Turkey Hunters Needed 

fOr Grouse Survey 

DEC is seeking spring turkey hunters 

to participate in a survey to help 

monitor grouse populations. For 

more information, email us at 

fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us and type 

“Grouse Drumming Survey” in the 

subject line, or call 518-402-8883, or 

visit www.dec.ny.gov and search for 

"drumming survey." 

Reward 

Protect Wild Turkeys against illegal 

hunting. Their future depends on you! 

The National Wild Turkey Federation 

is offering $200 reward to anyone 

giving information and testimony 

leading to the arrest and conviction 

of anyone illegally hunting or killing a 

wild turkey in the State of New York. 

1-800-tipp-deC 

Ashley Rocker, age 13, with her father John Rocker Jr. in Onondaga County in October 2009. 

Ashley's first two turkeys (2 jakes), John with jake & hen. Photo courtesy Richard Rocker. 



Spring Youth Hunt 

Eligible hunters are 12–15 years of age and 

hold a Junior Hunting License and a Turkey 

Permit. 

All youth hunters must be accompanied 

by an adult, as required by law for a Junior 

Hunting License (see pages 15 and 17). 

The accompanying adult must have a 

current hunting license and Turkey Permit. He/she may assist the youth 

hunter (including calling), but may not carry a firearm or longbow, or 

kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt. 

The bag limit for the youth hunt is one bearded bird. This bird 

becomes part of the youth’s regular season bag limit of two bearded 

birds. A second bird may be taken beginning May 1. 

All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect. 

Heidi Ploetz, 

age 12, Erie Co. 


Migr atory G a me Birds 

Waterfowl Seasons And 

Bag Limits Were Not 

Certain When This Guide 

Went To Press. 

To find out what the regulations are, 

or are likely to be, go to: http://www. 

dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28503.html. 

DEC’s annual waterfowl regulations 

guide can be downloaded from the 

website in September, after federal 

regulations are final. 

Migratory Game Bird 

Seasons and Bag Limits 

Most migratory game bird hunting regulations 

are set by the federal government in late 

summer, so ALL OF THE INFORMATION 

IN THIS SECTION IS TENTATIVE. Due to 

this uncertainty, most migratory bird hunting 

season dates or bag limits are not included in 

this guide. Final season dates and bag limits will 

be announced in late August, and a separate 

brochure with all of the migratory game bird 

hunting regulations will be available from the 

DEC website and most license-issuing agents 

in September. 

License Requirements 

To hunt any migratory game bird in New York, 

you need a hunting license that provides you 

with small game hunting privileges (unless you 

qualify to hunt without a license). 

To hunt any migratory game bird in New 

York except crows, you must register in New 

York’s Harvest Information Program (HIP). This 

applies to all hunters, including junior hunters 

and people who qualify to hunt without a 

license. To register, go to: www.NY-HIP.com or 

call 1-888-427-5447. HIP registration is valid 

from July 1 through June 30 annually (not the 

same as your hunting license!). 

If you are 16 years or older and you hunt 

waterfowl, then you also need a federal migratory 

game bird hunting stamp (“duck stamp”). 

The stamp is not needed to hunt coot, rails, 

gallinules, woodcock, snipe or crows. You 

may buy a duck stamp at most post offices and 

many sporting goods stores. They may also be 

ordered on-line (www.duckstamp.com) or by 

phone (1-800-852-4897). 

Consumption of 

Wild Waterfowl 

Every year, tens of thousands of people consume 

wild waterfowl harvested in New York. There 

are many ways to cook and enjoy waterfowl, 

but it’s important to remember that some birds 

may pick up chemical contaminants from the 

environment. Mergansers are fish-eating birds 

that tend to be the most heavily contaminated 

waterfowl and should not be eaten. For all other 

wild waterfowl, the New York State Department 

of Health recommends that you remove the 

skin and fat before cooking, and eat no more 

than two meals per month. 

Waterfowl Hunting in 

Populated Areas 

Some excellent waterfowl hunting opportunities 

occur in shoreline areas of New York that 

are becoming more populated and developed. 

Waterfowl hunters have special privileges in 

New York, but please consider the possible 

concerns that nearby homeowners may have 

about noise, safety or invasion of privacy before 

you go afield. Avoiding such conflicts will 

help ensure that waterfowl hunting remains 

an accepted tradition in fast-developing 

shoreline areas. 

DEC, in cooperation with the South Shore 

Waterfowlers Association (SSWA) has produced 

“A Pocket Reference for Police Officers and 

Waterfowl Hunters” that summarizes the 

State laws that pertain to waterfowl hunting 

in general and includes a “code of ethics” for 

waterfowl hunters to help ensure that waterfowl 

hunting remains a viable recreational 

opportunity in New York. For a copy, call 

(518) 402-8883. 

Special Snow Goose 

Harvest Program 

Waterfowl hunters in New York will have a 

special opportunity to harvest snow geese in 

most areas of the state during March–April 2012. 

This additional opportunity is offered because 

of concerns about impacts that snow geese are 

having on natural ecosystems. For more information, 

including harvest regulations for 2012, 

go to: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/50514.html. 

What Is A “Migratory Game Bird?” 

Under state and federal laws and regulations, all of the 

following are considered migratory game birds in New York: 

•• 

All wild ducks, mergansers, geese, and brant (“waterfowl”) 

•• 

All coot, rails, and gallinules (moorhens) 

•• 

Woodcock and snipe 

Crows are not considered migratory game birds under federal 

regulations, but most of New York’s migratory game bird hunting 

regulations apply to crows. You should assume they are the same 

except where differences are noted. 

Mourning doves are considered migratory game birds under 

federal regulations, but they are not defined as such under New 

York state law so no hunting season has been established for this 

species (see: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/59626.html). 


Woodcock Season Expanded 

To 45 Days For Fall 2011 

—Season Will Run October 1 through November 14— 

Despite long-term declines in American woodcock populations during the past 40 years due to 

the loss of early-succession forest habitats, surveys for this species have indicated stable population 

numbers for the past 15 years in the “eastern management region.” This area runs from 

Quebec and New Brunswick south along the Atlantic coast through Florida. An interagency 

Woodcock Harvest Strategy Working Group was formed in 2007 to develop harvest guidelines. 

This group comprises state representatives from the Atlantic, Mississippi and central flyways, 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. Based on stable population 

numbers in the eastern management region, the working group recommended that the season 

be expanded from 30 to 45 days. Starting in fall 2011, the woodcock season in New York will 

run from October 1 through November 14 statewide, and the bag limit will be three birds/day. 

Help monitor woodCOCk populations 

Join our grouse and woodcock hunting log: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html or 

call 518-402-8886 


Migr atory G a me Bird Hunting Se asons A nd Bag Limits 

WOODCOCK, CROW, SNIPE, 

RAIL & GALLINULE SEASONS 

UPSTATE NEW YORK 

(North of Bronx-Westchester County boundary) 

American Woodcock: Oct. 1–Nov. 14 

Crow: Sept. 1–Mar. 31 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday only) 

Snipe, Rail & Gallinule: Sept. 1–Nov. 9 

LONG ISLAND 

(Nassau and Suffolk counties) 

American Woodcock: Oct. 1–Nov. 14 

Crow: Sept. 1–Mar. 31 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday only) 

Snipe, Rail and Gallinule: Closed 

NEW YORK CITY 

(Bronx, Kings, Queens, New York & Richmond counties) 

Closed for all migratory bird species. 

Migratory game bird hunting regulations are 

set by the federal government in late summer, 

so all of the INFORMATION on this 

page is tentative. If there are changes in 

these regulations, announcements will be made 

in DEC news releases statewide. Final waterfowl 

hunting seasons will be announced in September, 

and a waterfowl hunting guide containing 

season dates and bag limits will be available 

from license issuing agents in late September. 

All migratory game bird hunters must register 

annually with the Harvest Information Program 

(HIP). Call 1-888-427-5447 or register online at 

www.ny-hip.com. 

Waterfowl 

• Bag Limits: 

ͪͪ 

Check website: 


• Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise 

to sunset 

• Non-toxic shot: required 

• Other: Last year’s hunting license is required 

when hunting prior to October 1. All hunters 

must be registered in HIP. 

Woodcock 

Join Our Grouse And Woodcock Hunting Log 

• Season: Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 

• Bag limits: 3 per day, 6 in possession 

www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html or call 518-402-8886 

• Shooting hours: sunrise to sunset 

• Non-toxic shot: not required 

AVID-GunTool HalfPgAd_NewYork2011Regs.indd 

• Open statewide except NYC (WMA 2A) 

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black 

• Other: All woodcock hunters must be 

registered in HIP. 

snipe, rails and 

gallinules 

• Season: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 

• Bag Limits: 

ͪ Snipe: 8 per day, 16 in possession 

ͪ Virginia & Sora rails: 8 per day, 16 in 

possession 

ͪ Clapper and King rails: closed 

ͪ Gallinules: 8 per day, 16 in possession 

• Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise 

to sunset 

• Non-toxic shot: required 

• Open in all of upstate NY north of Bronx- 

Westchester border. 


when hunting prior to October 1. All snipe, 

rail and gallinule hunters must be registered 

in HIP. 

CrOws 

• Season: Sept. 1 – March 31 (Fridays, Saturdays, 

Sundays and Mondays only) 

• Bag limits: No daily or possession limits 

• Shooting hours: sunrise to sunset 

• Non-toxic shot: not required 

• Open statewide except NYC (WMA 2A) 


when hunting prior to October 1. Crow 

hunters do not need to be registered in 

HIP. Crows may be hunted with rifles and 

recorded electronically amplified bird calls 

or sounds. 


The Ten Commandments 

— of — 

Firearm Safety 

1. Watch that muzzle! Keep it pointed in a safe 

direction at all times. 

2. Treat every firearm with the respect 

due a loaded gun. It might be loaded, even if 

you think it isn’t. 

3. Be sure of the target and what is in 

front of it and beyond it. Know the identifying 

features of the game you hunt. Make sure you have an 

adequate backstop—don’t shoot at a flat, hard surface 

or water. 

4. Keep your finger outside the trigger 

guard until ready to shoot. This is the best 

way to prevent an accidental discharge. 

5. Check your barrel and ammunition. Make 

sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions, and 

carry only the proper ammunition for your firearm. 

6. Unload firearms when not in use. Leave 

actions open, and carry firearms in cases and unloaded 

to and from the shooting area. 

7. Point a firearm only at something you 

intend to shoot. Avoid all horseplay with a gun. 

8. Don’t run, jump, or climb with a loaded 

firearm. Unload a firearm before you climb a fence 

or tree, or jump a ditch. Pull a firearm toward you by 

the butt, not the muzzle. 

9. Stor e fir e a r ms a nd a m munition 

separately and safely. Store each in secured 

location beyond the reach of children and careless adults. 

10. Avoid alcoholic beverages before and 

during shooting. Also avoid mind- or behavioraltering 

medicines or drugs. 

50 

Hunting Guide Ad 2011.indd 1 

2011–12 HUNTING & traPPING 

5/9/2011 3:07:26 

GUIDE 

PM

Furbe a rer HuntING 

To hunt furbearers, you need to possess a 

Junior Hunting, Small Game, Small/Big Game, 

Conservation Legacy, Super Sportsman, Trapper 

Super Sportsman, Sportsman, Nonresident 

Small Game, or Nonresident Super Sportsman 

license. A trapping license does not allow you 

to hunt furbearers. Furbearers may be hunted 

with a bow or firearm as described below. 

• You may hunt red and gray fox, coyote, 

bobcat, raccoon, skunk, mink, weasel and 

opossum. 

• If you take a bobcat, it must be tagged and 

sealed. 

• You may use a call, including an electronic 

call. 

• You may hunt furbearers only after sunrise 

on the opening day. They may be taken at 

any hour, day or night, for the rest of their 

hunting season. 

• Mink may only be hunted in the Southern 

Zone with a firearm not larger than .22 

BOBCAT HUNTING 

Hunting Hours: 

After sunrise on opening 

day; and at any hour, day 

or night, for the rest of the 

open hunting season. 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9F 

9C 

9M 

9T 

9S 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

Season Dates 

2011/12 

Oct. 25–Feb. 15 

Oct. 25–Dec. 10 

Closed 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

7H 

8S 

8Y 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

4W 

6R 

6S 

4F 

caliber during their open trapping season. 

Mink may not be hunted with a firearm in 

the Northern Zone. 

• Muskrat may only be hunted on Lake Champlain 

during the open trapping season with 

a firearm not larger than .22 caliber. 

• You may hunt furbearers during the day 

using any handgun, shotgun, rifle or bow. 

You may hunt at night as described below. 

Hunting Furbearers At Night 

All laws pertaining to the use of a spotlight 

apply (see page 18). 

1. If you are hunting in an area when any deer 

season (including bowhunting) is open: 

ͪͪYou may hunt during the day or night. 

ͪͪYou may use a light, but you may not 

hunt from any motor vehicle, including 

an ATV. 

ͪͪYou may use a shotgun, muzzleloader, 

bow, handgun or air gun. 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

There are no bag limits. 

5H 

3M 

5F 

5J 

5A 

5T 

5S 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

4Y 

3A 4Z 

3C 

3J 3F 3G 

3P 

2A 

5C 

3R 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

1C 

If you take a bobcat 

you must: 

1. Complete a Furbearer 

Possession Tag (see 

below) AND 

2. Get the pelt or 

unskinned animal 

sealed (see page 52). 

ͪͪYou may use any 

rimfire rifle, except 

in Westchester, 

Nassau, and Suffolk 

counties where rifles 

are not allowed. 

ͪͪYou may use any centerfire 

rifle ONLY if rifles are 

also allowed for deer hunting in that 

area. (Refer to Legal Implements map on 

page 24.) 

2. If you are hunting in an area when all deer 

seasons are closed: 

ͪͪYou may hunt during the day or night. 

ͪͪYou may use a light. 

ͪͪYou may use a shotgun, muzzleloader, 

bow, handgun or air gun. 

ͪͪYou may use any rifle of any caliber, except 

in Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties, 

where rifles are not allowed. 

Hunters should consult with local government 

officials for any laws that may prohibit 

the discharge of firearms at night. 

The use of a light-gathering (starlight) scope 

is legal on any firearm listed above. 

New Furbearer Possession Tag 

Furbearer Possession Tags may be printed or downloaded from the DEC website: 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29046.html. Tags may also be obtained by calling 

(518) 402-8883 or writing to: Furbearer Possession Tag, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 

12233-4754. 

Weasel, Opossum, 

Skunk, RaCCOOn And 

Fox Hunting 

Long Island: Nov. 1–Feb. 25 

All other areas of New York: 

Oct. 25–Feb. 15. 

There are no bag limits for 

these species. They may be 

hunted during the day or night. 

Coyote Hunting 

Statewide except Long Island 

and New York City: Oct. 1–March 25 

There are no bag limits for coyotes. 

They may be hunted during the day 

or night. 


Furbe a rer traPPING 

Definition Of Trapping 

To trap means to take, kill or capture wildlife 

with traps, deadfalls and other devices 

commonly used to take wildlife, including the 

shooting or killing of lawfully trapped animals. 

It also includes all related activities such as 

placing, setting, staking or checking traps or 

assisting another person with these activities. 

You do not need a hunting license to shoot a 

trapped animal. 

Other Definitions 

• Public Highway: The traveled portion of a 

public highway. Culverts, drainage ditches, 

and the area under bridges are not considered 

the traveled portion of a public highway. 

• Carcass: The body or parts thereof, meat, 

organs or viscera of an animal, including 

fish. Feathers (including feathers with 

attached skin or entire bird wings), hair 

(with or without skin or hide), and bones 

that include no attached meat, organs or 

viscera, are excluded from this definition. 

• Suspension: This term applies to animals 

fully suspended in the air by means of the 

trap anchoring system (typically a chain, 

cable or wire). It does not apply to traps set 

in water or to traps that are directly and 

firmly attached to an elevated structure, 

such as a tree. 

• Restraining trap: A device used to capture 

and restrain a mammal. These traps include 

leg-gripping traps (“foothold traps”), foot 

encapsulating traps, and cage or box traps. 

• Foot encapsulating trap: A trap with 

the following mechanical attributes: The 

triggering and restraining mechanisms 

are enclosed within a housing; the triggering 

and restraining mechanisms are only 

accessible through a single opening when 

set; the opening does not exceed 2 inches in 

diameter; and the trap has a swivel mounted 

anchoring system. 

• Cage or box trap: A type of restraining trap 

that fully encloses a captured animal within 

wood, wire, plastic, or metal. 

Legal Traps 

• You must put your name and address or 

your DEC customer identification number 

(i.e., your back tag number) on all your traps. 

• Foothold traps larger than 4" set on land 

must have a pan tension device and be 

covered when set. 

• Teeth are not allowed on foothold traps. 

• On land, foothold traps must be 5¾" or 

smaller (inside jaw width). 

• During beaver or otter season, foothold traps 

up to 7¼" are allowed if set under water. 

• When the beaver or otter season is closed, 

foothold traps set in water for mink or 

muskrat may not be larger than 5¾". 

• A foothold trap larger than 7¼" is never 

legal to use. 

• Body-gripping traps more than 7½" may 

never be used on land. 

• Body-gripping traps more than 7½" may 

only be used in water during an open beaver 

or otter season. 

• Snares cannot be used for trapping. 

• Box or cage traps are legal for all species. 

• You cannot use a cage trap that is designed 

to take more than one muskrat at a setting. 

Trapping MetHOds 

Checking traps 

• In the Southern Zone: You must check traps 

once in each 24 hour period. 

• In the Northern Zone, follow these rules: 

ͪͪ 

WMU 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6F, 6J and 6N: 

Visited once in each 48 hour period 

ͪͪ 

WMU 5A, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H and 6K: 

»» 

Traps set in water during the open 

season for beaver, otter, mink and 

muskrat: Visited once in each 48 

hour period 

»» 

Body-gripping traps set on land: 

Visited once in each 48 hour period 

»» 

Restraining traps: Visited once in 

each 24 hour period 

Use Of Carcasses 

Any carcass, as defined above, used as bait and 

placed or used in conjunction with a foothold 

trap shall be completely covered at the time the 

trap is set or visited. Coverings shall include 

but not be limited to brush, branches, leaves, 

soil, snow, water, or enclosures constructed of 

wood, metal, wire, plastic or natural materials; 

and must completely cover the carcass so that 

it is not visible from directly above. 

Land Trapping 

• You may not set a trap in such a manner 

that it causes a captured animal to be fully 

suspended in the air. 

• You may not set a trap on a public road. 

You are allowed to set a trap in a culvert or 

ditch unless the property is posted or the 

landowner does not allow trapping. 

• After December 10 th in the Northern Zone, 

body-gripping traps set on land may not be 

set with bait or lure. 

Place your name 

& address or 

Customer ID # on 

all your traps. 

Water Trapping 

• You may set a trap in a permanent body of 

water only when the mink, muskrat, otter, 

or beaver season is open. 

• You may not disturb a beaver lodge, beaver 

dam, or muskrat house or den. 

• You may not set a trap on or within 5 feet of 

a muskrat house. 

Land Or Water Trapping 

• You may use any legal method to kill a 

trapped animal. You do not need a hunting 

license to use a firearm to kill a legally 

trapped animal. 

• You may not set or stake a trap prior to 

7:00 am on opening day. 

• You are not allowed to set a trap within 100 

feet of a house, school, playground or church 

unless you have permission from the owner 

of the land where the trap is set. 

Trapping Near Beaver Dams 

You may set a trap on or near (within 15 feet of) 

a beaver dam ONLY under these conditions: 

• You are trapping during an OPEN otter 

season. 

• If the otter season is CLOSED, you may use 

these traps: 

ͪ ͪ Body-gripping trap that measures less 

than 5.5 inches. 

ͪ ͪ Foot encapsulating trap. 

ͪ ͪ Foothold traps that are 4¾ inches or less. 

ͪ ͪ Cage or box traps. 

By limiting the trap sizes that are usable on 

beaver dams, this regulation provides greater 

opportunities for trappers while minimizing 

the accidental capture of otter. 

Pelt Sealing 

Otter, bobcat, fisher and marten must have a 

plastic seal attached to the pelt or unskinned 

animal before 

• It is sold or ownership is transferred to 

another person, or 

• It is mounted or tanned, or 

• It leaves New York State, or 

• 10 days have passed since the close of the 

season where the fur was taken. 

The plastic pelt seals can be removed when 

the pelt is processed for taxidermy, tanning 

or manufacturing. 

NOTE: You are no longer required to fill 

out furbearer possession tags for beaver or 

to have beaver pelts sealed. 

How To Get Your Pelts Sealed: 

A 2-Step PrOCess 

• Step 1: Fill out your furbearer possession tag. 

ͪͪ 

A possession tag must be filled out for 

each animal you take. 

ͪͪ 

Possession tags must be filled out immediately 

after you reach your motor vehicle, 

camp or home, whichever comes first. 

ͪͪ 

Possession tags must stay with the 

animal or pelt at all times, but they do 

not need to be attached to the pelt. 

ͪͪ 

Furbearer possession tags can be 

obtained from your regional wildlife 


Furbe a rer traPPING 

office (see page 8) or at www.dec.ny.gov/ 


• Step 2: Get your pelt sealed (see below). 

All Species 

• A completed furbearer possession tag must 

be submitted to obtain a plastic pelt seal. 

• You can give your pelts to another person 

(other than a taxidermist) so he or she can 

get the pelts sealed or get them skinned. 

You must give that person your trapping 

license or a copy of your license and your 

completed possession tags while he or she 

has your pelts. 

Otter, BOBCat, Fisher And Marten 

• Only authorized Department representatives 

can attach the plastic pelt seals to otter, 

bobcat, fisher or marten. 

• Call a regional wildlife office (see page 8) to 

make arrangements to get your otter, bobcat, 

fisher, or marten sealed. Seals for these 

species cannot be sent through the mail. 

• Prior to having a marten sealed, you must 

submit the entire carcass. 

Buying And Selling Fur 

• Species requiring a pelt seal cannot be bought 

or sold or given to another person unless 

it has the plastic pelt seal on it. All other 

species may be bought, sold, and transported 

without restriction. 

• Furbearers may be bought or sold either 

skinned or unskinned. 

• People who buy fur do not need a fur buyer’s 

license in New York. 

When you find an unintentionally captured 

animal dead in the trap, or when you must 

dispatch an unintentionally captured animal 

due to a serious injury, you may remove it and 

lay it in the vicinity of the trap. There are no 

legal provisions for you to keep it, and you 

may not possess it even to take it back to your 

vehicle without permission from DEC. 

DEC seeks information on all accidentally 

taken bobcat, otter, fisher, marten and other 

species of unusual nature. If the animals are 

dead, a DEC wildlife biologist may want to 

collect the carcass. The location and carcass 

data are the most valuable information DEC 

can obtain regarding the status of these species. 

Contact a Regional Wildlife Office or an 

Environmental Conservation Officer as soon 

as possible to report the catch. You will receive 

instructions on what to do and information 

to provide. 

Possession Of 

Road-KiLLed Furbearers 

If the trapping or hunting season is open for 

the species in a WMU, you may keep a dead 

furbearer found on roads within that WMU. 

The requirements for possessing road-killed 

furbearers are the same as for trapping and 

hunting. For example, if you find a road-killed 

fisher in an area with an open fisher season 

and you possess a trapping license, you have 

to contact DEC for a pelt seal. If you find a 

bobcat, you can possess it if you have a small 

game or trapping license, but you also must 

have it pelt sealed. 

Have yOu Seen 

An Otter? 

Otters were 

released in central 

and western New 

York between 1995– 

2000. Current efforts to restore this 

species focus on documenting the 

distribution and abundance of otters 

in those areas. 

You can help us by reporting 

sightings or signs of otter activities 

by calling the Region 3, 4, 7, 8 or 9 

DEC wildlife office (see page 8 for 

phone numbers) or email us at: 

fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us 

Thanks for your help! 

Rights Of Trappers 

• No one may disturb a trap lawfully set by 

another person. 

• No one may remove a lawfully trapped 

animal from another person’s trap. 

• No one may harass a trapper while he or 

she is trapping. 

License Responsibilities 

• A license is not transferable and can be used 

only by the person to whom issued. 

• A license to trap does not give the holder 

any right to go on private property without 

permission of the landowner. 

• It is illegal to refuse to show your license on 

demand to a law enforcement officer or the 

owner, lessee or person in control of the lands 

(or their designees) while on their property. 

Incidental And aCCidental 

Captures Of tRapped Animals 

There are no provisions in the Environmental 

Conservation Law allowing trappers to possess 

animals that are taken outside of the open 

trapping season. 

You must attempt to release any animals that 

are accidentally captured when the season is 

closed or if the area is not open for trapping 

that species. 

If the animal is injured to the extent you 

believe it will not survive, humanely dispatch 

it. If you are not sure, contact a DEC Regional 

Wildlife Office for assistance. 


He Furbe a der a rer TraPPING 

A special permit is required for trapping 

marten. Contact DEC's Wildlife Office at 

Warrensburg (518) 623-1240 for details. 

FISHER & MARTEN 

TRAPPING 

Fisher and marten pelts must 

be sealed. See page 52 for details. 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

Season Dates 


9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

Oct. 25–Dec. 10 

Oct. 25–Dec. 10 

Closed 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

Fisher and Marten 

Fisher only 

Fisher and Marten 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

Species & Bag Limits 

6P 

7P 

Season limit of 6 marten. 

No limit for fisher. 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

4C 

4L 

1C 

RACCOON, RED FOX, 

GRAY FOX, SKUNK, 

COYOTE, OPOSSUM 

& WEASEL TRAPPING 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

Season Dates 2011/12 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

Oct. 25–Dec. 10 

Dec. 11–Feb. 15, Body-gripping traps set on land 

may not be set with bait or lure. 

Oct. 25–Feb. 15 

Nov. 1–Feb. 25, 

except closed for coyote 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

There are no 

bag limits for 

these species. 

6J 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5S 

4C 

5T 

4L 

1C 

5A 

5A 

BEAVER TRAPPING 

6H 

6G 

6N 

6A 

6C 

6J 

6F 

5H 

5C 

5F 

5G 

5T 

BOBCAT TRAPPING 

Bobcat pelts must be sealed. 

See page 52 for details. 

6G 

6H 

6N 

6A 

6C 

6J 

6F 

5H 

5C 

5F 

5G 

5T 

9J 

8A 

9A 

8C 

9F 8G 

9A 

9C 

8H 

9H 

8M 8N 

9G 

9N 

8P 

9M 

9K 

9P 

9W 

8T 

9T 

9R 

9S 

9Y 

9X 8X 

7A 

8F 

7F 

8J 

7J 

7H 

8R 8S 

7R 

8W 

8Y 

7S 

6K 

6P 

7M 

7P 

6R 

6S 

4F 

4O 4P 

4W 

5J 

5S 

5R 

4C 

4A 

4J 4L 

4K 

4G 4H 4B 

4T 4U 

4R 

4S 

4Y 

3A 4Z 

3C 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6K 

7M 

6P 

7P 

4O 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

4H 

3C 

5J 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

5S 

4C 

4L 

3H 

3J 3F 3G 

3H 

3J 

3F 3G 

Season Dates 2011/2012 

Nov. 1–Apr. 7 There are no bag limits. 

Nov. 25–Mar. 15 

Nov. 10–Apr. 7 

3K 

3M 3N 

3R 3S 

3P 

2A 

1A 

1C 


Oct. 25–Dec. 10 

Oct. 25–Feb. 15 

Closed 

There are no bag limits. 

3K 

3M 

3P 

2A 

3R 

3N 

3S 

1A 

1C 

Nov. 25–Feb. 15 

Closed 

MINK & MUSKRAT 

TRAPPING 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 

8N 

8P 

8T 

Season Dates 2011/2012 

Oct. 25–Apr. 15 

Nov. 25–Feb. 15 

Nov. 10–Apr. 7 

Dec. 15–Feb. 25 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6S 

4W 

There are no bag limits 

for these species. 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5S 

4C 

5T 

4L 

1C 

RIVER OTTER 

TRAPPING 

Otter pelts must be sealed. 

See page 52 for details. 

9J 

9A 

9G 

9K 

9R 

Closed 

9A 

9C 

9S 

9M 

9F 

9T 

9H 

9N 

9W 

9X 

8A 

8G 

9P 

8M 

9Y 

8H 

8X 

8C 


Nov. 1–Apr. 7 There are no bag limits. 

Nov. 10–Feb. 28 

8N 

8P 

8T 

8F 

8J 

8R 

8W 

8S 

8Y 

7H 

7A 

7R 

7F 

7J 

7S 

6G 

6K 

7M 

6H 

6N 

6P 

7P 

6A 

6C 

4O 

6J 

6S 

4W 

6R 

4F 

4P 

3H 

3K 

6F 

5H 

4G 

4A 

4R 

3A 

3M 

3P 

4H 

3C 

3J 

2A 

5C 

5F 

5J 

3R 

5R 

4J 

4B 

4S 

5A 

4K 

4T 4U 

4Y 4Z 

3F 3G 

3N 

3S 

5G 

1A 

5T 

5S 

4C 

4L 

1C 


Furbe a rer TraPPING 

Trigger Regulation For Beaver Trappers 

This regulation applies if you: 

•• 

Trap in a WMU in the Southern Zone during a closed otter season 

•• 

Use a body-gripping trap larger than nine inches (these are “330” size traps) 

How to measure a body-gripping trap: 

Measure the inside distance between the outer 

frames of the trap. The addition of one or 

more bars to the inside of the frame does not 

change the way these traps are measured. The 

measurement is still the MAXIMUM distance 

as shown in this picture. 

greater 

than 9" 

Specific requirements of the regulation are 

shown here in the diagrams below. 

1. Body-gripping trap with off-set parallel trigger: 

6½" or less 

8" 

or more 

2. example of non-legal vs. legal trigger brackets: 

Non-legal: V-notch, four-way trigger 

Legal: square-notch, two-way trigger 

Two-way 

tension 

adjustable 

(legal) 

Not tension 

adjustable 

(legal) 

Four-way 

trigger 

(not legal) 

3. Examples of acceptable parallel triggers: 

The trigger must 

be 6½" or less. 

Recommended 

tension: 8 to 12 oz. 

Trigger wires must 

be joined together. 

4. Tension adjustable triggers and 

trigger stops are no longer required. 

NOTE: 

1. You can bait these traps in any 

manner. However, the trap must 

have all of the features noted above. 

2. There is no exception for traps 

set under ice: traps set under ice, 

whether baited or not, must have all 

of the design features noted above. 

3. There is no tension requirement. 

However, DEC research showed that 

8 to 12 oz. of tension works best for 

protecting otter and catching beaver. 


He a der 

Furbe a rer TraPPING 

Regulations For Body-Grip Traps Set On Land. 

Body-gripping traps set on land shall not be within 100 feet of a public trail except on 

Wildlife Management Areas. 

A body-gripping trap measuring less than 

5½ inches may be set in any manner with 

or without the use of bait. Body-gripping 

traps measuring 5½ inches to 6 inches, set 

without the use of bait, must be set so that 

no part of the trap is 8 inches or more above 

the ground. 

NOTE: After Dec. 10 in the 

Northern Zone body-gripping 

traps set on land may 

not be set with 

bait or lure. 

Body-gripping traps 5½ inches to 7½ inches 

set with the use of bait, lure, or other 

attractants may only be used as follows: 

*Four or more feet off the ground 

*In a container of the following design: 

ͪͪtrap recessed minimum of 18 inches 

ͪͪopening height and width 10 inches or less 


ͪͪopening height 6 inches or less 

ͪͪ8 inch minimum spring notches 


You may also build an enclosure of 

natural materials (e.g., logs or rocks). 

ͪͪopening height 6 inches or less 

ͪ ͪ trap recessed minimum of 8 inches 


ͪͪonly one entrance, facing the ground 

ͪͪcontainer set so entrance is no more 

than 6 inches from ground 



It’s Your Nature 

Celebrating 75 years of success— 

a partnership for America’s fish and wildlife 

If you’ve ever purchased firearms and ammunition, archery bows and arrows, fishing lures, rods and reels, 

hunting or fishing licenses or fueled up your boat… you’ve contributed to the most successful effort to 

conserve fish and wildlife in America—the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs (WSFR). 

Through WSFR excise taxes associated with these items are redistributed to the states to fund important 

fish and wildlife initiatives. Since 1937, more than $12 billion dollars have been entrusted to 

state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries and wildlife restoration and management; hunter, angler 

and boater access; as well as for hunter and boater safety education. In 2011, New York received just 

over 11.2 million dollars through WSFR for wildlife management 

projects. These funds were used to help fund 

important programs such as wildlife monitoring and 

research, Sportsmen Education Programs, WMA 

maintenance and habitat management, and fish 

and wildlife health initiatives. 

Join us in celebrating 75 years of better hunting, 

trapping, fishing, boating and wildlife-related 

recreation through WSFR. It really is Your Nature! 


Access To HuntING A re as 

For information, go to www.dec.ny.gov/ 

outdoor/7844.html. 

Private Lands 

Always ASK landowner permission to hunt on 

private land. If it were your land, how would 

you want a visitor to act? 

• Be courteous—ASK permission well in 

advance. 

• ASK what is permitted. What species can be 

hunted? Are tree stands allowed? 

• ASK if friends can join you. 

• Exercise safety—always! 

• Thank the landowner. 

Many landowners use ASK permission 

stickers on their signs which show the 

landowners’ willingness to allow access 

to their lands. They are available for free 

from your local regional wildlife office (see 

page 8) or from DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany 

NY 12233-4754. For more information on 

hunting on private lands, visit our website: 

www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7844.html. 

Remember: Damaging bark or cutting trees, 

branches or plants is illegal without permission 

of the landowner. 

Rights of way, such as for power lines and 

railroads, that cross private property are NOT 

public land. Trespassing on these areas without 

permission from the landowner is illegal. 

FWMA Cooperative Areas 

Through cooperative agreements under New 

York’s Fish and Wildlife Management Act 

(FWMA), Cooperative Hunting Areas provide 

access and management services to privatelyowned 

lands in order to increase public hunting 

opportunities. When using these areas, remember 

that you are a guest on private property. 

Littering and other abuses will only result in 

closure of many excellent hunting areas. 

A Word aBOut Liability 

Whether or not the land is posted, New York 

State General Obligations Law protects land- 

owners from liability for non-paying recreationists 

engaged in hunting, trapping and fishing 

on their property. Because of this protection, 

recreational liability lawsuits against rural 

landowners are uncommon. This protection 

does not apply in cases of willful or malicious 

failure to guard or warn against dangers. 

State Lands 

For information on hunting and trapping 

opportunities and rules governing the use of 

state land, contact the regional office for the 

county where you would like to hunt or trap 

(see page 8). Wildlife staff can provide information 

on wildlife management areas (WMAs) 

and Cooperative Hunting Areas. Forestry staff 

and NYS Forest Rangers can provide details 

on state forest lands and the forest preserve. In 

some instances, written permission or permits 

are required to use state areas. These are available 

from DEC regional offices during normal 

business hours. 

Motorized aCCess tO State Lands 

DEC has designated roads and trails on state 

forests and wildlife management areas and on 

roads in the forest preserve for motor vehicle 

use by authorized people with disabilities who 

have a mobility impairment. The list of these 

opportunities, along with information on how 

to obtain a statewide permit for this purpose, 

is available by writing to the Regional Land 

Manager at DEC regional offices (see page 8). 

Wildlife Management Areas 

The Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine 

Resources manages about 187,000 acres of 

wildlife management areas. These areas are 

located throughout the state and contain a 

variety of different types of habitat and wildlife. 

They are managed primarily for wildlife and 

wildlife-related public use. 

WMAs have specific use regulations in 

addition to the general use regulations for 

state land. Hunting, trapping, and fishing are 

permitted, except as specifically restricted by 

posted notice. 

On wildlife management areas, it is unlawful 

to: 

• Camp without written permission 

• Travel off-road by use of motorcycles, motor 

scooters, mopeds, trail bikes, snowmobiles or 

any other motorized vehicle, except as specifically 

allowed by a permit or posted notice 

• Remove, cut or willfully damage or destroy 

living vegetation of any kind 

• Construct or place a permanent structure, 

blind, stand or platform (includes placement 

of nails or other hardware into trees) 

• Leave any personal property at the time of 

leaving the area 

• Enter upon property posted with No Trespassing 

signs, except with written permission 

from DEC 

mountains to the rolling hills of the western 

parts of the state and the forested areas on Long 

Island, a wide range of hunting and trapping 

opportunities await the outdoor recreationist. 

Forest Preserve 

Hunting and trapping are permitted in the 

Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves. 

State-owned lands located within these 

preserves are designated “Forever Wild.” All 

state land rules and camping requirements 

apply to the preserves, as well as additional rules 

specific to certain areas. Contact the regional 

DEC office or nearest NYS Forest Ranger for 

further information. 

State Parks 

Many state parks offer waterfowl, small 

game and big game hunting. For more 

information, contact the appropriate DEC 

regional office or visit the state parks website 

(http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/). Call each 

state park to find out specific hunting and 

access regulations. For a listing of state parks 

that allow deer hunting, visit the DEC website: 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7844.html 

State Forest 

(Reforestation Land) 

Outside the Adirondacks and Catskills, reforestation 

areas are the most common type of 

state lands. Many recreational activities can 

be pursued on reforestation areas, including 

hunting and trapping. Reforestation areas are 

marked with signs saying “State Forest.” 

In some instances, permits are required to 

camp overnight on undeveloped state forest 

lands. Unless specifically prohibited, groups of 

less than 10 people may camp on state forest 

lands (other than developed campgrounds and 

wildlife management areas) for three nights 

without a permit. To camp for four nights or 

more, a permit must be obtained. Groups of 

10 or more people need a permit to camp on 

such lands for one night. Further information 

may be obtained from DEC regional offices for 

the county you want to camp in or from local 

NYS Forest Rangers. 

Remember, it is unlawful to: 

• Cut or injure trees (including construction 

of permanent tree stands, construction of 

natural blinds, clearing of shooting lanes 

around portable stands, placement of nails or 

other hardware into trees, or use of live trees 

as targets while sighting-in firearms). 

• Erect, use or maintain a building or 

structure. 

• Store personal property. 

• Deposit or leave any litter or rubbish. 

• Operate a motor vehicle, including an allterrain 

vehicle, off maintained roads except 

where specifically allowed. 

• Camp without a permit when a permit is 

required. 

Lands and fOrests 

The Division of Lands and Forests manages 

nearly 4,000,000 acres of land, located in 

almost every county of the state. From the 

remote locations of the Adirondack and Catskill 

Use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) 

and off road vehicles (ORVs) is 

restricted on most state land. 


Access to HUNTING a re as 

Other Areas To Hunt 

• Whitney Point Reservoir Recreation Area 

(federal): Located on State Route 26 several 

miles north of the Village of Whitney Point 

in Broome and Cortland counties. Offers big 

and small game hunting opportunities. No 

special hunting permits are needed. 

• Moose River Recreation Area (state): 

Located in Hamilton County. Hunting and 

trapping opportunities in a 50,000 acre 

wilderness setting. Register at the gate. 140 

primitive camping sites. Extensive seasonal 

road network. 

• Finger Lakes National Forest (federal): 

Located east of Seneca Lake in Schuyler 

and Seneca Counties. Small and big game 

hunting opportunities. No special hunting 

permits are needed. 

• Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge 

(federal): Located at the north end of 

Cayuga Lake in Seneca County. Offers big 

game and waterfowl hunting opportunities. 

This area is also open for deer hunting on a 

controlled basis during both the bowhunting 

and regular seasons. Permits are required. 

When deer management permit use is 

allowed, WMU 8J permits are valid. For 

current information on seasons, permits, 

maps and regulations, write: 

ͪͪ 

REFUGE MANAGER 

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge 

3395 Route 5/20 East 

Seneca Falls, NY 13148 

Telephone (315) 568-5987 

• Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (federal): 

Located east of Lockport in Genesee and 

Orleans counties. Offers small game and 

waterfowl hunting opportunities. This area 

is also open for deer hunting during both the 

bowhunting and regular seasons. Detailed 

information available from: 

ͪͪ 

REFUGE MANAGER 

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge 

1101 Casey Road 

Basom, NY14013 

Telephone (585) 948-5445 

• Long Island: For a brochure on areas to hunt 

and for access permits, write to 

ͪͪ 

Hunting Opportunities, NYS DEC 

SUNY Stony Brook 

50 Circle Rd. 

Stony Brook, NY 11790-3404 

• West Point Military Reservation (federal): 

Located in Orange County. Open for deer 

hunting during the late and regular seasons 

only. Deer management permit required. 

Contact USMA Wildlife Biologist at 

(845)-938-3857. 

• Fort Drum Military Installation (federal): 

Wildlife Management Unit 6H, located in 

Jefferson and Lewis counties. Over half of 

the 107,000 acre installation is open to the 

public for hunting and trapping. See the 

Fort Drum Fish and Wildlife Management 

Program web site for more information: 

www.FortDrum.iSportsman.net (search for 

"wildlife) or call (315) 772-9636. 

• New York City Watershed Lands: The 

New York City Department of Environmental 

Protection (DEP) allows deer, bear, 

turkey, and small 

game hunting on 

specially designed 

City Water Supply 

lands. Hunters must 

possess the appropriate, 

valid New York State hunting license and a 

valid Access Permit to hunt on designated 

hunting areas on City Water Supply lands. 

For more information, including maps, go 

to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ 

watershed_protection/hunting.shtml. 

Public Campgrounds 

Camping is sometimes available during 

the big game season. Reservations for DEC 

campgrounds can be made by calling 1-800- 

456-CAMP or online at reserveamerica.com. 

Licensed Guides 

For information on licensed professional guides 

in New York, contact NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, 

NY 12233-2560 or phone (518) 402-8838. 

Remember: It is a crime to possess a rifle, 

shotgun or firearm in or upon buildings or 

grounds used for educational purposes (see 

Penal Law Section 265.01-3). 

New York Indian 

Reservations 

Some tribal governments have made 

provisions for limited public hunting, 

trapping, fishing and snagging 

access, while others do not permit 

non-Indians to hunt, trap, fish or 

snag on their land. Check with the 

governing tribal office to determine 

the requirements for hunting, 

trapping, fishing and snagging within 

the reservation boundaries. A special 

permit is required. 

ASK Permission 

ASK Permission stickers, 

a brochure explaining 

the program, Landowner 

Permission forms, and 

information about fish 

and wildlife conservation are available 

free from DEC regional wildlife 

offices or by writing: 

NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, 

NY 12233-4754 

OR ONLINE at www.dec.ny.gov/ 


SG_2.25x4.75.indd 1 

Did you know? 

...In 2010, DEC Forest 

Rangers put out more than 

150 fires affecting almost 1,500 

acres. Rangers trained 1,471 

community firefighters in 

wildfire control techniques. 

...DEC Forest Rangers are 

experts on all aspects of the 

state land they patrol. Ask a 

Ranger where to hunt, fish, 

hike, camp or see wildlife! 

...DEC Forest Rangers issue 

permits for camping on state 

lands and administer the 

licensed guide program. 


518-408-5850 

3/21/11 12:03 PM 


New York State Environmental Conservation Police 

Question: Is it legal to feed 

black bears at any time? 

Answer: No. New regulations prohibit 

the feeding of black bears at any time. 

Question: What is the definition 

of an “unloaded crossbow” for 

transportation or possession 

in a motor vehicle? 

Answer: A crossbow is considered to be 

unloaded once the bolt is removed, regardless 

if the crossbow remains cocked 

or uncocked. 

Question: I recently purchased 

a large caliber air rifle, may 

I use it to hunt big game. 

Answer: No. Only certain small game 

species may be taken with an air rifle 

including squirrels, rabbits, hare, ruffed 

grouse, furbearers that may be hunted 

(e.g., raccoons and coyotes), and unprotected 

wildlife (e.g., porcupine, red 

squirrel, woodchuck). To use an air 

rifle to hunt small game it must propel 

a single projectile that is .17 caliber or 

larger and produce a muzzle velocity of 

at least 600 feet per second. 

Question: May I continue to track a 

wounded deer after legal sunset? 

Answer: Hunters may attempt to recover 

wounded big game after legal sunset. 

However they may not discharge a 

firearm or longbow at a big game animal 

other than during legal hunting hours. 

Question: I understand that 

crossbows are now legal to use for 

hunting. What species of wildlife 

may I harvest with a crossbow? 

Answer: Only deer and bear may be 

taken by crossbow during the regular 

season and any muzzleloading season 

that follows the regular season. For 

more information on hunting with a 

crossbow, see page 12 or go to http://www. 

dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html. 

Question: What type of license 

do I need to hunt deer and 

bear with a crossbow? 

Answer: When pursuing deer and 

bear during the regular season only a 

big game hunting license is required. 

If hunting deer and bear with a crossbow 

during the muzzleloading season 

that follows the regular season, a 

Toll-Free 24 Hour 

muzzleloading privilege must also be 

purchased. For more information on 

hunting with a crossbow, see page 12 

or visit the link listed in the question 

above. 

Question: Can I use a rangefinder 

mounted on my bow to assist 

in hunting big game? 

Answer: Yes, as long as it does not project 

a visible beam of light. 

Question: At my local sporting 

goods store I see a variety of 

commercial deer foods for 

sale. Are they legal to sell? 

Answer: Although feeding wild deer 

is illegal at any time, commercial deer 

feed can be used for domestic animals. 

Therefore, it is still legal for sale. 

Questions: I’ve heard that there 

was a change in the timeframe 

for reporting my game harvest of 

deer, bear, and turkeys. What is 

the current timeframe required for 

the reporting of these species? 

Answer: The time frame for reporting 

your harvest of deer, bear, and turkeys 

was changed from 48 hours to 7 days. 

Question: Is it legal to “bone out” 

the meat from my deer or bear 

in the woods and pack it out. 

Answer: Yes, you may pack out just the 

meat provided you retain your completed 

carcass tag. If you are packing out a 

portion of the meat, you must leave the 

original tag with the carcass and fill out 

an additional tag for the cut portions 

containing the taker's name, address, 

license number and the date the portions 

were cut. 


Eco Dispatch Center: 1-877-457-5680 

Operation “Dark Night” 

In the fall of 2010, Operation “Dark Night” was conducted to combat 

poaching at night in 57 of 62 counties throughout the state. Deer Jacking, 

the shooting of deer at night while “freezing” them by shining bright 

lights in their eyes, is recognized as a particularly heinous poaching 

offense. Operation “Dark Night” is the statewide expansion of 2009’s 

pilot deer jacking initiative, 

“Operation Jack Hammer” which 

was implemented in roughly half 

of the counties in the state. 

Operations “Dark Night” and 

“Jack Hammer” resulted in 

a total of 244 defendants 

charged with 519 offenses of 

the Environmental Conservation 

Law; the largest deer jacking 

initiative in the state’s history. 

NYS Environmental Conservation Officers (ECO) Anthony Glorioso, 

(right) and ECOs Sean Dewey and Mike Arp (not shown) support youth 

hunting. The ECOs in conjunction with the NY Conservation Officers 

association, assisted Walt Bennett of the Greene County Sportsmans 

Federation and Doug Little of the National Wild Turkey Federation, with 

the highly successful 5th Annual Youth Pheasant Hunt held in Greene 

County. 

Poachers are stealing your 

fish & wildlife resources! 

ECO Mike Phelps 

Report Game Law Violators by calling DEC's 

24-Hour Dispatch Center at 1-877-457-5680. 

Six illegal deer with T/Sgt. Keith Isles, K9 Shamey (left) and 

ECO Vern Bauer (right) in Delaware County. 

ECO Josh Crain with a youth hunter. 

GALLERY 


En v iroNMenta l Conservation oFFICers 

Wildlife Compact 

Effective March 1, 2006, New York State joined 

the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact 

(IWVC). The IWVC is a compact under 

which member states reciprocate regarding 

the suspension or revocation of licenses and 

permits resulting from violations concerning 

the pursuit, possession or taking of mammals, 

birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, 

shellfish and crustaceans. If a person’s license or 

permit privileges which come under the scope 

of the IWVC are suspended or revoked in one 

member state, they are subject to suspension 

or revocation in all member states. In addition 

to license and permit suspensions and 

revocations which result from a conviction 

for the illegal pursuit, possession or taking 

of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, 

mollusks, shellfish and crustaceans, failing 

to appear in court or to otherwise answer a 

ticket or summons issued for such violations 

will also result in license or permit suspension. 

IWVC member states also agree to recognize 

convictions for violations within the scope of 

the IWVC which occur in all other member 

states and to apply them toward license and 

permit suspension and revocations in the state 

in which the person resides. 

There are now 36 member states. Other 

states and Canadian provinces are expected 

to join the IWVC in the near future. For a 

complete list of IWVC member states, please 

call DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement at 

518-402-8814. 

Albany 

ECO L. Billotto (518) 505-4029 

ECO K. Bush (518) 813-6805 

ECO K. Swan (518) 869-5237 

SECO T. Caifa (518) 357-2047 

Allegany 

ECO K. Basile (585) 403-2447 

ECO R. Calanni (585) 403-2437 

ECO M. Wojtkowiak (607) 339-3591 

SECO D. Pleakis (716) 851-7050 

Bronx 

ECO M. Clemens (718) 829-2827 

ECO E. Dowling (845) 623-3767 

ECO N. Favreau (646) 294-7170 

ECO J. Woodin (646) 542-4299 

SECO J. Verhague (718) 482-4885 

BrOOme 

ECO J. Blincoe (607) 621-8537 

ECO A. Mccormick (607) 621-3464 

ECO E. Templeton (607) 621-3255 

SECO T. Lutz (315) 426-7431 

Cattaraugus 

ECO T. Hansen (716) 997-9795 

ECO R. Nosal (716) 532-0461 

ECO N. Verhague (716) 771-8266 

SECO D. Pleakis (716) 851-7050 

Cayuga 

ECO M. Colesante (315) 567-1835 

ECO C. Nielsen (315) 253-7689 

ECO S. Sincebaugh (315) 253-8534 

SECO D. Mcshane (315) 426-7431 

Chautauqua 

ECO K. Budniewski (716) 401-1163 

ECO C. Freeman (716) 490-3947 

ECO D. Gowan (716) 965-2779 

Law Enforcement Toll Free 24-Hour 

ECO Dispatch 1-877-457-5680 

ECO J. Kinney (716) 401-1187 

SECO F. Lauricella (716) 851-7050 

Chemung 

ECO T. Dragotta (607) 331-7458 

ECO S. Farrand (607) 331-7549 

SECO P. Barton (585) 226-6866 

Chenango 

ECO B. Armstrong (607) 895-6515 

SECO K. Warner (315) 426-7431 

Clinton 

ECO D. Malone (518) 643-8172 

ECO L. Taylor (518) 643-0475 

SECO D. Darrah (518) 897-1326 

Columbia 

ECO P. Brinkerhoff (518) 505-4157 

ECO J. Cox (518) 794-8935 

SECO J. Hays (518) 357-2047 

Cortland 

ECO T. Fernandes (607) 836-6595 

SECO K. Warner (315) 426-7431 

Delaware 

ECO V. Bauer (845) 586-3079 

ECO N. Doig (607) 267-5452 

ECO G. Wilber Iii (607) 267-5479 

SECO K. Beiter (518) 357-2047 

DutCHess 

ECO R. Hodor Jr. (845) 483-9672 

ECO D. Read Iii (845) 240-6758 

ECO B. Whalen (914) 589-5759 

SECO D. Clayton (845) 256-3013 

Erie 

ECO D. Dougherty (716) 316-5607 

ECO C. Gill (716) 908-5051 

ECO C. Lohr (716) 549-0542 

ECO S. Marshall (716) 537-2464 

ECO M. Mazurkiewicz (716) 537-2533 

ECO R. Peinkofer (716) 704-0887 

ECO M. S. Phelps (716) 250-8213 

ECO A. C. Wilson (716) 675-1095 

SECO F. Lauricella (716) 851-7050 

Essex 

ECO J. Blades (518) 335-5201 

ECO J. Cole (518) 335-5801 

ECO M. Lacroix (518) 335-5422 

ECO M. C. Phelps (518) 418-9946 

SECO D. Darrah (518) 897-1326 

Franklin 

ECO J. Cranker (518) 708-1220 

ECO J. Hovey (518) 637-5694 

ECO K. Riggs (518) 335-3558 

ECO J. Sibbert (518) 497-0900 

SECO D. Darrah (518) 897-1326 

Fulton 

ECO S. Manns (518) 708-1168 

ECO N. Mead (518) 844-7210 

SECO H. Barber (518) 897-1326 

Genesee 

ECO R. Rauscher (585) 300-7715 

SECO J. Schultz (585) 226-6866 

Greene 

ECO M. Arp (518) 966-5357 

ECO S. Dewey (518) 653-3077 

ECO A. Glorioso (518) 755-9242 

SECO K. Beiter (518) 357-2047 

Hamilton 

ECO P. Buswell (518) 548-4137 

ECO K. Kelly (315) 804-9435 

ECO S. Pierce (518) 866-4723 

SECO H. Barber (518) 897-1326 

Herkimer 

ECO J. Kerns (315) 489-3346 

ECO D. Lucas (315) 823-4071 

ECO R. Ritzel (315) 489-3907 

ECO C. Schoonover (315) 269-6646 

SECO M. Jacoby (315) 785-2231 

SECO T. Richards (315) 785-2231 

Jefferson 

ECO S. Bartoszewski (315) 489-6984 

ECO M. Garrigan (315) 493-7329 

ECO M. Malone (315) 583-3568 

ECO J. Murphy (315) 542-4293 

ECO T. Wensley (315) 654-3597 

SECO C. Handley (315) 785-2231 

Kings 

ECO M. Baker (718) 987-5094 

ECO G. Maneeley (718) 668-0276 

ECO M. Nichols (646) 542-4313 

ECO J. Okonuk (914) 375-0748 

ECO N. Stevens (646) 542-4312 

SECO M. Lochner (718) 482-4885 

Lewis 

ECO F. Fuerch (315) 542-4290 

ECO S. Hutton (315) 767-5232 

ECO J. Murphy (315) 542-4293 

ECO E. Roderick (315) 489-3269 

SECO C. Handley (315) 785-2231 


Livingston 

ECO B. Wade (585) 303-0065 

ECO C. Ward (585) 303-0098 

SECO J. Schultz (585) 226-6866 

Madison 

ECO H. Chase (315) 662-3412 

ECO C. Childs (315) 254-0657 

SECO K. Warner (315) 426-7431 

mOnroe 

ECO E. Haag (585) 414-0611 

ECO B. Hummel (585) 200-2868 

ECO J. Lutz (585) 303-1506 

ECO B. Shea (585) 576-5678 

ECO E. Snowdon (585) 683-6758 

SECO J. Schultz (585) 226-6866 

mOntgomery 

ECO J. Deangelis (518) 346-4580 

ECO C. Valenty (518) 505-4104 

SECO T. Caifa (518) 357-2047 

Nassau 

ECO E. Dalecki (516) 204-6312 

ECO D. Ferraro (516) 826-0832 

ECO M. Unger (516) 328-0579 

New yOrk 

ECO D. Dainack (718) 979-0696 

ECO T. Machnica (845) 429-5141 

ECO B. Wilson (646) 542-4297 

SECO B. Rivers (718) 482-4885 

Niagara 

ECO J. Powers (716) 433-1432 

ECO J. Rogers (716) 773-0984 

ECO R. Thompson (716) 433-3369 

SECO D. Pleakis (716) 851-7050 


En v ironmenta l Conservation oFFICers 

Wildlife Violators are Stealing From You! 

Call 1-800-TIPP-DEC or an officer listed below to report poaching, 

trespassing, baiting or other wildlife violations. 

d 

Oneida 

ECO V. Fonda (315) 489-4224 

ECO R. Grisolini (315) 240-6966 

ECO J. Kerns (315) 489-3346 

ECO S. Lakeman (315) 734-0648 

ECO R. Ritzel (315) 489-3907 

SECO M. Jacoby (315) 785-2231 


Onondaga 

ECO R. Head (315) 673-3067 

ECO P. Sherman (315) 484-9678 

ECO C. Starczek (315) 445-2061 

ECO S. Yacavone (315) 487-4401 

SECO D. Mcshane (315) 426-7431 

Ontario 

ECO J. Dobies (585) 905-7669 

ECO D. Malloy (585) 905-7404 

ECO J. Stansfield (315) 986-9438 

SECO T. Stoner (585) 226-6866 

Orange 

ECO M. Buckley (845) 236-7684 

ECO J. Conway (845) 699-9813 

ECO N. Desotelle (845) 662-5756 

ECO D. Galvin (845) 638-0979 

ECO A. Gordon (845) 662-5787 

ECO K. Shephard (845) 784-6045 

SECO M. Townley (845) 256-3013 

Orleans 

ECO P. Kroth (585) 682-7791 

ECO G Wilson (585) 683-0773 

SECO J. Schultz (585) 226-6866 

Oswego 

ECO W. Burnell (315) 676-5387 

ECO M. Dorrett (315) 625-4129 

ECO S. Dussault (315) 963-1008 

ECO M. Harger (315) 383-1766 

ECO A. Panipinto (315) 623-7657 

SECO J. Reitmeier (315) 426-7431 

Otsego 

ECO T. Card (607) 267-9547 

ECO M. Vencak (607) 397-1823 

ECO K. Zurmuhlen (607) 267-5444 

SECO T. Harrington (518) 357-2047 

Putnam 

ECO J. Curinga (845) 612-6099 

ECO J. Davey (845) 787-7025 

ECO K. Manners (845) 265-2165 

ECO A. Markey (845) 424-3281 

ECO B. Toth (845) 424-3073 

SECO M. Filmer (845) 256-3013 

Queens 

ECO C. Lattimer (718) 424-3628 

ECO D. Lum (718) 956-6460 

ECO M. Mat (516) 536-2352 

ECO S. Mathis (646) 542-4305 

SECO J. Verhague (718) 482-4885 

Rensselaer 

ECO B. Canzeri (518) 270-5035 

ECO R. Fetterman (518) 925-5549 

SECO J. Hays (518) 357-2047 

Richmond 

ECO A. Brassard (718) 979-0610 

ECO D. Thomas (646) 542-4316 

SECO B. Rivers (718) 482-4885 

rOCkland 

ECO N. Desotelle (845) 662-5756 

ECO D. Galvin (845) 638-0979 

ECO K. Shephard (845) 784-6045 

SECO M. Townley (845) 256-3013 

Saratoga 

ECO R. Higgins (518) 860-8677 

ECO M. Klein (518) 892-9402 

ECO J. Service (518) 583-2790 

ECO S. Shaw (518) 860-8675 

SECO C. Ruckert (518) 897-1326 

sCHenectady 

ECO J. Deangelis (518) 346-4580 

ECO C. Valenty (518) 505-4104 

SECO T. Caifa (518) 357-2047 

sCHOHarie 

ECO K. Isles (518) 295-7949 

ECO M. Terrell (518) 827-7754 

SECO T. Harrington (518) 357-2047 

sCHuyler 

ECO J. Lifrieri (607) 644-3815 

SECO P. Barton (585) 226-6866 

Seneca 

ECO S. Angotti (315) 568-5370 

ECO K. Levanway (607) 339-6796 

SECO T. Stoner (585) 226-6866 

St. Lawrence 

ECO S. Atwood (315) 262-2304 

ECO T. Basford (315) 265-2757 

ECO B. Canary (315) 489-3180 

ECO J. Munn (315) 842-2854 

ECO J. Ryan (315) 322-5106 

ECO J. Schneller (315) 566-9258 

ECO M. Sherry (315) 375-6684 

SECO M. Revenaugh (315) 785-2231 

Steuben 

ECO D. Hulett (607) 331-7111 

ECO E. Stull (607) 331-6468 

SECO P. Barton (585) 226-6866 

Suffolk 

ECO L. Bobseine (631) 905-4235 

ECO D. Damrath (516) 204-6623 

ECO J. Eastwood (631) 874-3132 

ECO T. Fay (631) 447-0959 

ECO T. Gadomski (631) 477-3779 

ECO K. Grady (631) 744-2507 

ECO M. Krug (631) 813-0846 

ECO C. Lagree (631) 205-0470 

ECO A. Lawston (631) 325-8569 

ECO D. Oliver (631) 205-0649 

ECO M. Simmons (631) 874-2591 

ECO J. Sulkey (516) 881-6548 

ECO M. Unger (516) 328-0579 

ECO J. Wolgast (631) 820-1521 

SECO D. Bengel (631) 444-0250 

SECO M. Blaising (631) 444-0250 

SECO F. Carbone (631) 444-0250 

Sullivan 

ECO M. Bello (845) 665-5489 

ECO S. Steingart (845) 439-8043 

ECO R. Wood (845) 665-5637 

SECO D. Lindsley (845) 256-3013 

Tioga 

ECO S. Winnick Iii (607) 245-9751 

SECO T. Lutz (315) 426-7431 

Tompkins 

ECO O. Eisenberg (607) 564-9458 

ECO J. Milewski Jr (607) 283-1494 

SECO T. Lutz (315) 426-7431 

Ulster 

ECO L. Bello (845) 566-5056 

ECO B. Gillis (845) 687-9350 

ECO C. Stephens Jr (845) 430-8541 

ECO M. Schillinger (845) 246-8002 

SECO D. Clayton (845) 256-3013 

SECO D. Lindsley (845) 256-3013 

Warren 

ECO S. Delarosa (518) 527-1101 

ECO L. Gerrain (518) 925-5560 

ECO G. Lapoint (518) 793-3767 

SECO H. Barber (518) 897-1326 

Washington 

ECO T. Chase (518) 708-1217 

ECO J. Dempster (518) 692-9973 

ECO S. Gonyeau (518) 567-2104 

SECO C. Ruckert (518) 897-1326 

Wayne 

ECO J. Crain (315) 489-3422 

ECO W. Powell Iii (315) 986-3598 

ECO T. Smith (315) 745-9371 

SECO T. Stoner (585) 226-6866 

Westchester 

ECO J. Curinga (845) 612-6099 

ECO J. Davey (845) 787-7025 

ECO K. Manners (845) 265-2165 

ECO A. Markey (845) 424-3281 

ECO B. Toth (845) 424-3073 

SECO M. Filmer (845) 256-3013 

Wyoming 

ECO J. Hunt (716) 628-3488 

ECO R. Ward Jr (585) 919-4465 

SECO D. Pleakis (716) 851-7050 

Yates 

ECO P. Blanton (585) 694-4077 

SECO T. Stoner (585) 226-6866 


3A 

3A 

ULSTER 

ReGIon a l M a p s 

ULSTER 

3C 

3C 

3J 

3J 

DUTCHESS 

3F 

3F 

DUTCHESS 

3G 

3G 

Connecticut 

ORANGE 

ORANGE 

3M 

3M 

3P 

3P 

3N 

3N 

PUTNAM 

PUTNAM 

ROCKLAND 

New Jersey 

ROCKLAND 

New Jersey 

RICHMOND 

NEW YORK 

BRONX 

2A 

2A 

NEW YORK 

3R 3S 

3R 3S 

BRONX 

KINGS 

RICHMOND 

QUEENS 

KINGSQUEENS 

WESTCHESTER 

WESTCHESTER 

1A 

1A 

NASSAU 

NASSAU 

1C 

1C 

SUF 

SUF 

Atlantic O 

Atlantic O 

Map produced by NYSDEC HIU, 5/19/09. 

64 2011–12 HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE 

Map produced by NYSDEC HIU, 5/19/09.

Region a l M a p s 

Public Lands & Management Areas 



Federal Recreational Land 

State Park 

Wildlife Management Units 

DEC Lands 


Wildlife Management Area 


Multiple Use Area 




0 2.5 5 10 15 20 25 

Miles 

FOLK 

cean 










Border Patrol 

To report suspicious activity along the U.S./Canada 

Border, Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake 

Ontario, call the United States Border Patrol: 

•• 

1-800-331-0353 or 

•• 

e-mail SafeBorders@dhs.gov 

Report smuggling or illegal crossings. 

Canada 

0 4.5 9 18 27 36 45 


Miles 

JEFFERSON 

6H 

6G 

Lake Ontario 

6N 

OSWEGO 

MONROE 

7A 

6K 

ONEIDA 

LIVING- 

STON 

8H 

8C 

ONTARIO 

WAYNE 

8F 

8J 

SENECA 

CAYUGA 

66 2011–12 HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE 

7F 

7J 

MADISON 

6P


5A 

6A 

FRANKLIN 

5C 

6C 

ST.LAWRENCE 

6F 

CLINTON 

5F 

6J 

ESSEX 

Vermont 

LEWIS 

5G 

HERKIMER 

HAMILTON 

5H 

WARREN 

5T 

WASHINGTON 

6R 

FULTON 

5J 

SARATOGA 

5S 

6S 

5R 

MONTGOMERY 

4C 



MONROE 

8C 

ONTARIO 

WAYNE 

8F 

7F 

6P 

LIVING- 

STON 

8H 

8J 

SENECA 

CAYUGA 

7J 

MADISON 

ONONDAGA 

8M 

8N 

8P 

YATES 

8R 

7H 

8S 

CORTLAND 

7M 

8X 

STEUBEN 

8T 

SCHUYLER 

8W 

CHEMUNG 

8Y 

7R 

TIOGA 

TOMPKINS 

7S 

BROOME 

CHENANGO 

7P 

Pennsylvania 








0 5 10 20 30 40 


Miles 

2011/12 Habitat & aCCess Stamp 

You don’t need 

to be a hunter or 

angler to help the 

fish and wildlife of 

New York. 

All New Yorkers 

can help create 

or improve fish 

and wildlife 

habitat or improve access to those resources for recreation 

or educational activities. You can do this by purchasing a 

$5 2011/12 NYS Habitat & Access Stamp. The Habitat 

& Access Stamp is available at sporting license outlets 

throughout New York State or by calling 1-866-933-2257. 



6R 

FULTON 

5J 

SARATOGA 

5S 

4O 

OTSEGO 

4W 

6S 

DELAWARE 

3K 

4F 

4P 

3H 

SULLIVAN 

4A 

4G 4H 

4R 

3A 

MONTGOMERY 

SCHOHARIE 

ULSTER 

SCHENECTADY 

ALBANY 

GREENE 

3C 

3J 

5R 

4C 

4J 

4B 

4S 

4L 

4K 

4U 

4T 

4Y 

4Z 

DUTCHESS 

3F 

3G 

RENSSELAER 

COLUMBIA 

Connecticut 

Massachusetts 

ORANGE 

3M 

3P 

3N 

PUTNAM 

New 

Jersey 

2011–12 HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE WESTCHESTER 

69 

ROCKLAND 

3R 

3S










Region a l M a p s 


Conservation Fund A dv isory Board 

License Dollars at Work 

Your license dollars are spent on an array of programs that foster and promote the conservation 

and management of fish and wildlife in New York. On average, NY sells approximately 1.9 million 

hunting, trapping and fishing licenses each year, the proceeds of which are deposited into the 

state's Conservation Fund. The sale of sporting licenses is also critical in the state's ability 

to receive its share of Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Funds. The graphic 

below represents the use of funds from the traditional account of the Conservation Fund and 

Federal Aid dollars in support of some of the agency's fish and wildlife management efforts. 

The number of sporting licenses sold is based on sales in 2009. Allocations are based on projected spending for 

state fiscal year 2010. 

NYS Conservation Fund 

Advisory Board 

The NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board 

(CFAB) was established by law to make recommendations 

to state agencies on state government 

plans, policies, and programs affecting 

fish and wildlife. 

CFAB consults with and advises DEC 

about expenditure of Conservation Fund 

monies and ways to increase revenue to 

this fund. For more information, visit: 

www.dec.ny.gov/about/566.html 

Conservation Fund 

(Traditional Account) 

$33.7 million (M) 

These are state funds that come from sporting license sales and permit fees 

administered by the DEC. 

$2.9 M $0.5 M $25.8 M $3.5 M 

$1.0 M 

Law 

Enforcement 

$2.9 M 

Public 

Affairs & 

Education 

$0.5 M 

Fish, Wildlife 

& Marine 

Resources 

(includes 

DECALS) 

$40.7 M 

Support 

Services 

(Management 

and Budget, 

Information 

Services, 

Regional 

Affairs, 

indirect costs) 

$5.8 M 

Operation 

Services 

$2.9 M 

$14.9 M $2.3 M $1.9 M 

Sport Fish & 

Wildlife Restoration Fund 

$19.1 million (M) 

Wildlife Restoration Fund ($11.2 M) from excise tax on firearms, ammunition and 

archery equipment. 

Sport Fish Restoration Fund ($7.9 M) from excise tax on fishing and boating equipment. 


S u n r i s e & S u n s e t 

When Hunting fOr 

Wildlife, All sHOOting 

Hours Are Sunrise tO 

Sunset, Except: 

Unprotected wildlife—any hour 

Furbearers, i.e. coyote, raccoon, fox, 

bobcat—any hour 

Ducks, Geese, Snipe, Rails—½ hour 

before sunrise to sunset 

Spring Turkey—½ hour before 

sunrise to noon 

SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR may 

Day Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set 

AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM 

1 6:20 7:30 6:52 6:37 7:29 5:48 7:05 4:23 7:25 4:32 7:10 5:08 6:30 5:45 6:37 7:22 5:49 7:56 

2 6:21 7:28 6:53 6:35 7:30 5:47 7:06 4:22 7:25 4:33 7:09 5:09 6:28 5:47 6:35 7:23 5:48 7:57 

3 6:22 7:27 6:54 6:33 7:31 5:46 7:07 4:22 7:25 4:34 7:08 5:10 6:27 5:48 6:33 7:24 5:46 7:58 

4 6:23 7:25 6:55 6:32 7:32 5:44 7:08 4:22 7:25 4:35 7:07 5:12 6:25 5:49 6:31 7:25 5:45 7:59 

5 6:24 7:23 6:56 6:30 7:34 5:43 7:09 4:22 7:25 4:36 7:06 5:13 6:23 5:50 6:30 7:26 5:44 8:00 

6 6:25 7:21 6:58 6:28 6:35 4:42 7:10 4:22 7:25 4:36 7:04 5:14 6:22 5:51 6:28 7:27 5:43 8:02 

7 6:26 7:20 6:59 6:27 6:36 4:41 7:11 4:21 7:25 4:37 7:03 5:16 6:20 5:53 6:26 7:29 5:41 8:03 

8 6:27 7:18 7:00 6:25 6:38 4:40 7:12 4:21 7:25 4:39 7:02 5:17 6:18 5:54 6:25 7:30 5:40 8:04 

9 6:28 7:16 7:01 6:23 6:39 4:39 7:13 4:21 7:25 4:40 7:01 5:18 6:17 5:55 6:23 7:31 5:39 8:05 

10 6:29 7:14 7:02 6:22 6:40 4:38 7:14 4:21 7:25 4:41 6:59 5:20 6:15 5:56 6:21 7:32 5:38 8:06 

11 6:30 7:13 7:03 6:20 6:41 4:36 7:15 4:21 7:24 4:42 6:58 5:21 7:13 6:57 6:20 7:33 5:37 8:07 

12 6:31 7:11 7:04 6:18 6:43 4:35 7:16 4:22 7:24 4:43 6:57 5:22 7:12 6:59 6:18 7:34 5:36 8:08 

13 6:32 7:09 7:06 6:17 6:44 4:34 7:17 4:22 7:24 4:44 6:56 5:24 7:10 7:00 6:16 7:35 5:34 8:09 

14 6:34 7:07 7:07 6:15 6:45 4:34 7:17 4:22 7:23 4:45 6:54 5:25 7:08 7:01 6:15 7:37 5:33 8:10 

15 6:35 7:05 7:08 6:13 6:46 4:33 7:18 4:22 7:23 4:46 6:53 5:26 7:06 7:02 6:13 7:38 5:32 8:11 

16 6:36 7:04 7:09 6:12 6:48 4:32 7:19 4:22 7:22 4:47 6:51 5:28 7:05 7:03 6:11 7:39 5:31 8:12 

17 6:37 7:02 7:10 6:10 6:49 4:31 7:20 4:23 7:22 4:49 6:50 5:29 7:03 7:04 6:10 7:40 5:30 8:13 

18 6:38 7:00 7:12 6:08 6:50 4:30 7:20 4:23 7:21 4:50 6:49 5:30 7:01 7:06 6:08 7:41 5:29 8:14 

19 6:39 6:58 7:13 6:07 6:51 4:29 7:21 4:23 7:21 4:51 6:47 5:31 6:59 7:07 6:07 7:42 5:29 8:15 

20 6:40 6:56 7:14 6:05 6:53 4:28 7:21 4:24 7:20 4:52 6:46 5:33 6:58 7:08 6:05 7:43 5:28 8:16 

21 6:41 6:55 7:15 6:04 6:54 4:28 7:22 4:24 7:19 4:54 6:44 5:34 6:56 7:09 6:04 7:45 5:27 8:17 

22 6:42 6:53 7:16 6:02 6:55 4:27 7:22 4:25 7:19 4:55 6:43 5:35 6:54 7:10 6:02 7:46 5:26 8:18 

23 6:43 6:51 7:18 6:01 6:56 4:26 7:23 4:25 7:18 4:56 6:41 5:37 6:52 7:11 6:01 7:47 5:25 8:19 

24 6:44 6:49 7:19 5:59 6:57 4:26 7:23 4:26 7:17 4:57 6:40 5:38 6:51 7:13 5:59 7:48 5:24 8:20 

25 6:45 6:48 7:20 5:58 6:59 4:25 7:24 4:27 7:16 4:59 6:38 5:39 6:49 7:14 5:58 7:49 5:24 8:21 

26 6:46 6:46 7:21 5:56 7:00 4:25 7:24 4:27 7:16 5:00 6:36 5:40 6:47 7:15 5:56 7:50 5:23 8:22 

27 6:48 6:44 7:22 5:55 7:01 4:24 7:24 4:28 7:15 5:01 6:35 5:42 6:45 7:16 5:55 7:51 5:22 8:23 

28 6:49 6:42 7:24 5:54 7:02 4:24 7:25 4:29 7:14 5:03 6:33 5:43 6:44 7:17 5:53 7:53 5:22 8:24 

29 6:50 6:40 7:25 5:52 7:03 4:23 7:25 4:29 7:13 5:04 6:32 5:44 6:42 7:18 5:52 7:54 5:21 8:24 

30 6:51 6:39 7:26 5:51 7:04 4:23 7:25 4:30 7:12 5:05 6:40 7:19 5:50 7:55 5:21 8:25 

31 7:27 5:50 7:25 4:31 7:11 5:07 6:38 7:21 5:20 8:26

2011-2012 Hunting and Trapping Guide - New York State Envirothon

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