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DEC Announces 2026-27 Early Big Game Hunting Seasons
in September
Published: September 13, 2026
at 08:30 a.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Announces 2026-27 Early Big Game Hunting Seasons
in September
Early Antlerless Deer and Bear Seasons Approaching
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds big game
hunters that early hunting seasons for deer and bear begin in September in
New York State.
“New York State’s
early big game hunting seasons provide more opportunity for hunters to
contribute to effective management in areas of the state where additional
harvest of antlerless deer and bear are necessary to keep populations in
balance,” Director of DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife
Jacqueline Lendrum said. “Under DEC’s new big game hunting
regulations, there has never been a greater opportunity for hunters to
spend time afield in September.”
An early bear
season begins on September 12 and runs through September 27 in 11 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in the Southern
Zone (WMUs, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R, and 4W). Additionally,
an early antlerless deer season begins on September 12 and runs through
September 20 in 23 WMUs in the Southern Zone–including 10 new WMUs where
the early antlerless deer season has been expanded (1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J,
6P, 7F, 7J, 7H, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G).
Bear hunting seasons begin on September 19 and run through December 6 in
the Northern Zone.
Only antlerless
deer (those without antlers or having antlers less than three inches long)
may be harvested during the early antlerless deer season, and hunters may
only use Deer Management Permits (DMPs) or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags.
All WMUs that have an early antlerless deer season offer unlimited DMPs,
which allow hunters who report an antlerless deer harvest on a DMP to
receive a Bonus DMP for the same WMU. Hunters are encouraged to apply for
DMPs in these WMUs ahead of the early antlerless deer season. Hunters who
harvest and report an antlerless deer will also receive a second antlered
deer tag for the 2026–27 seasons through the new “Earn-a-2nd-Buck” program.
In WMUs 3M, 3P,
3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G,
hunters may use firearms, crossbows, or vertical bows during the early
antlerless deer season, but only vertical bows or crossbows can be used in
WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C. Hunters may use firearms, crossbows, or vertical
bows in all WMUs enrolled in the early bear season. The use of rifles is
prohibited in Rockland County (most of WMU 3R) during any season.
Hunters using
firearms, including muzzleloaders, during any season, must wear a solid or
patterned fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat, vest, or jacket while
hunting. Legal hunting hours for deer and bear include the full period of
ambient light from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Hunter Education
Program
To purchase a
hunting or trapping license, a hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education
certificate is required. For over 75 years, DEC’s Hunter Education Program
has taught future hunters and trappers how to be safe, responsible, and
ethical. Courses are available in-person or online. All in-person courses
are free and taught by DEC-certified instructors. Demand for in-person
courses is high in late summer and early fall, so it is important to sign
up early. For more information and to find a course near you, visit DEC’s website.
Hunters can
ensure that hunting remains a safety activity by following the cardinal
safety rules: (1) treat every firearm as if it were loaded; (2) control the
muzzle, keep it pointed in a safe direction; (3) identify your target and
what lies beyond; and (4) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to
fire.
Hunters should
refer to the 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Guide and DEC’s Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations webpages for more information about
deer and bear hunting in New York State.
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