Hunting News

A new Holiday Deer Hunt that extends late bow and muzzleloader hunting seasons for deer will be available Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, 2022 in New York's Southern Zone.

The new season provides an additional seven days of late season hunting with bows and muzzleloaders.

Hunters must purchase a bowhunting or muzzleloading privilege to participate in the late bow or muzzleloader seasons and may use all deer carcass tags valid during those seasons.

The expanded hunting season only applies to New York's Southern Zone. In the Northern Zone, deer may already be moving to wintering areas by late December. Hunting seasons that occur when deer are migrating or are already concentrated in wintering areas could result in localized overharvest.

In addition, DEC will adaptively manage the new program and assess any potential impacts to other outdoor recreational activities or localized deer herds.

In September 2020, DEC requested public comment on the proposal to hold a holiday hunt more than 3,000 comments were received.

Biologists anticipate many families may take advantage of this new opportunity. Given the requirement for use of primitive weapons, biologists do not anticipate a significant effect on deer harvest or local deer populations.

The new regulations were posted Feb. 17 in the New York State Register and became effective on publication.

The season does not begin until Dec. 26, 2021.