New York hunting seasons

The New York season calendar in brief

This license year starts September 1, 2026 and ends August 31, 2027. Canada goose, snipe, rail, gallinule, crow and squirrel seasons open on September 1, the Southern Zone September antlerless deer season and the early bear firearms season follow on September 12, and the Adirondack bear season opens September 19. Northern Zone bowhunters start September 27 and Southern Zone archers October 1; the regular deer seasons open October 24 in the Northern Zone and November 21 in the Southern Zone. Fall turkey, pheasant, grouse and furbearer seasons fill October, the Southern Zone late bow and muzzleloader seasons end January 1, and spring turkey closes the year, May 1-31, 2027. Deer, bear, turkey, small game and furbearer dates are set by Wildlife Management Unit; ducks, brant and snow geese by five waterfowl zones; Canada geese by nine goose hunting areas. Rows without dates are unprotected species open all year and the species with no season.

Next openers on the New York calendar

DEC seasons summary and the 2026-27 guide, checked October 27, 2026.

New York turtles and frogs rows, 2026-27

2 dated or closed rows in the turtles and frogs group.

DEC guide and guide PDF maps, checked October 27, 2026.

Questions about the New York calendar