What hunting season is it in USA?

21 July 14:09

James Brown

Plan your 2025–26 NY hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow at sunrise for a trophy buck in the Adirondacks, slipping through cattail marshes for early teal, or trailing coyote year‑round on private land, New York’s forests, wetlands, and fields support premier big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in New York? New York’s varied landscapes sustain: Big Game: Whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, elk (limited zones), moose (northern draw) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock, bobwhite quail, pheasant Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, wood duck), Canada geese, coots, rails, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, raccoon, beaver, otter From Long Island’s shrublands to the Tug Hill Plateau’s spruces, New York hunters pursue abundant state animals year‑round. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in New York? On private lands with landowner permission—and the proper license—you may harvest unprotected or nuisance species such as coyote, opossum, and groundhog, which carry no closed season and no bag limits, aiding predator control. Public‑land Wildlife Management Units enforce posted season and weapon restrictions. New York Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Sept 26 – Nov 21, 2025 Early Muzzleloader: Nov 22 – Nov 28, 2025 Firearms: Dec 6 – Dec 14, 2025 (B-zone); Dec 13 – Dec 21, 2025 (C,D); Nov 29 – Dec 7, 2025 (A) Late Muzzleloader: Jan 3 – Jan 11, 2026 (select zones) Youth Deer Hunt: Oct 11 – 12, 2025 Bag limit: one antlered buck per season; antlerless tags by permit. Deer seasons vary by Zone A–F—always check your county. Black Bear Archery & Bait: Apr 26 – June 20, 2025 Fall (hounds & bait): Sept 1 – Oct 10, 2025 (draw only) Bear tags allocate via lottery; harvest reporting and tooth submission required for population monitoring. Wild Turkey (Spring) Spring Youth Hunt: Apr 12–18, 2026 Spring General: Apr 19 – May 31, 2026 Fall Archery: Oct 1 – Oct 15, 2025 (select WMUs) Turkey licenses include shotgun and bow options. Youth hunts promote safe, mentored experiences. Elk & Moose Elk (Zone 5): Sept 15 – Sept 30, 2025 (draw only) Moose (Zone 10 draw): Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 Elk and moose hunts are limited‑entry; one animal per successful applicant’s lifetime. New York Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Game & Small Mammals Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026 Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Pheasant & Quail: Oct 17 – Jan 31, 2026 (WMUs only) Shotguns with non‑toxic shot required; upland bird hunters use dogs and strategic calling. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Early Teal: Sept 6 – Sept 27, 2025 Duck & Goose: Nov 15 – Jan 31, 2026 (zones split) Youth Waterfowl Days: Oct 17–18, 2025 Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025 Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 20, 2025 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp, HIP, and state waterfowl stamp required New York’s marsh impoundments and lakes host peak duck migrations—plan for daily limits of 6 ducks with species sub‑limits. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 buck; antlerless by permit Black Bear: 1 per draw tag Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall archery Ducks: 6/day; sub‑limits (2 hen mallards, etc.) Geese: 5/day Rails & Coots: 15 & 25/day Rabbit & Squirrel: 8/day each Coyote & Furbearers: No limit on private lands Bag limits ensure sustainable big game and small game harvests. License & Tags Information for New York Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid NYDEC license and required tags: Resident Hunting License: $22; Nonresident: $115 Deer Tags: $28 each; antlerless $8 Turkey Permit: $10; youth free by application Waterfowl Stamp: $10; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required Bear/Moose/Elk Permits: $11–$210; draw applications required Furbearer License: $15 (includes raccoon, opossum) Licenses fund habitat conservation, wildlife research, and enforcement; apply for draws in spring. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader New York authorizes: Archery: Compound, recurve bows, crossbows (archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) during firearms seasons Muzzleloaders: Permitted during early and late windows Dogs & Bait: Allowed for waterfowl retrievers; bait and dogs for bear in select WMUs Ensure compliance with weapon and caliber requirements for each season. Regulations & Resources NYDEC regulations cover: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (special dawn/dusk for turkey) Zone Maps & Boundaries: WMU and county boundaries online Harvest Reporting: Mandatory for deer, bear, turkey within 48 hrs Special Areas: Wildlife management areas, wildlife refuges, and CWD zones Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/seasons With structured seasons, clear bag limits, and accessible license systems, New York delivers exceptional hunting for whitetail deer, turkey, ducks, and more. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper tags, and experience the Empire State’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.