New York › Hunting seasons › Deer Management Permits by WMU, 2026
Season guide
Deer Management Permits by WMU, 2026
2026 targets and chances of selection for every WMU; statewide target 306,073.
Photo: Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0)
How New York DMPs work
Deer Management Permits (DMPs): antlerless-only tags by WMU. Apply Aug. 3-Oct. 1, 2026 for limited-DMP WMUs (instant random issuance with priority categories and preference points); any time for unlimited/bonus WMUs. Up to 4 DMPs (2 limited, 2 unlimited). Leftover DMPs first come, first served in person from ~Nov. 1 (up to 2 more). Unlimited consignment (transfer) between hunters. Landowners (50+ acres in the WMU) and disabled veterans (40%+) get their first choice. DEC set a statewide 2026 target of 306,073 DMPs. In 2026 the DMP rules changed alongside Earn-a-2nd-Buck: Bow/Muzz tags became antlerless-only, hunters may hold up to 4 DMPs, and 23 WMUs have unlimited bonus DMPs.
Selection order for limited WMUs
- Landowners (50+ acres) and disabled veterans (first choice guaranteed)
- Residents and nonresidents with 3 preference points
- Residents with 1-2 points
- Residents without points
- Nonresidents with 1-2 points
- Nonresidents without points
| Item | Opens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| DMP application, limited WMUs | Aug 3, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| DMP application, unlimited/bonus WMUs | Aug 3, 2026 | None |
| Leftover DMPs (in person) | About Nov 1, 2026 | None |
| Tompkins DMFA registration | August 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
DEC DMP page in the guide and DEC antlerless deer page, checked October 27, 2026.
DMP targets and odds for every WMU, 2026
| WMU | Zone | Availability | 2026 target | Per sq mi | Avg success | Res 1st | Res 2nd | Nonres 1st | Nonres 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Southern | none listed | |||||||
| 1C | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 11.6% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 2A | Southern | none listed | |||||||
| 3A | Southern | limited | 175 | 0.3 | LO/DV | None | None | None | |
| 3C | Southern | limited | 4,000 | 12.7 | 9.4% | High | High | High | High |
| 3F | Southern | limited | 4,400 | 13.3 | 4.7% | High | High | High | High |
| 3G | Southern | limited | 5,200 | 11.4 | 6.9% | High | High | High | High |
| 3H | Southern | limited | 4,000 | 7.2 | 19.3% | High | None | None | None |
| 3J | Southern | limited | 6,400 | 18.0 | 7.7% | High | High | High | High |
| 3K | Southern | limited | 1,400 | 3.7 | 20.4% | High | None | None | None |
| 3M | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 7.9% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 3N | Southern | limited | 3,200 | 14.4 | 4.9% | High | High | High | High |
| 3P | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 5.2% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 3R | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 7.3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 3S | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 9.5% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 4A | Southern | limited | 3,000 | 7.0 | 17.4% | High | None | None | None |
| 4B | Southern | limited | 3,300 | 20.4 | 9.7% | High | High | High | High |
| 4C | Southern | limited | 1,600 | 9.7 | 15.2% | High | None | None | None |
| 4F | Southern | limited | 10,000 | 8.6 | 16.9% | High | None | None | None |
| 4G | Southern | limited | 2,800 | 7.6 | 20.7% | Med | None | None | None |
| 4H | Southern | limited | 2,200 | 7.6 | 20.6% | High | None | None | None |
| 4J | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 7.3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 4K | Southern | limited | 3,000 | 11.7 | 14.3% | High | Med | High | None |
| 4L | Southern | limited | 400 | 1.8 | 21.4% | PP Req | None | None | None |
| 4O | Southern | limited | 2,100 | 2.8 | 25.1% | PP Req | None | None | None |
| 4P | Southern | limited | 2,000 | 5.5 | 20.4% | High | None | None | None |
| 4R | Southern | limited | 1,900 | 6.5 | 16.8% | High | None | None | None |
| 4S | Southern | limited | 1,200 | 5.5 | 15.7% | High | None | None | None |
| 4T | Southern | limited | 3,900 | 29.6 | 6.1% | High | High | High | High |
| 4U | Southern | limited | 300 | 2.4 | 18.5% | Low | None | None | None |
| 4W | Southern | limited | 2,100 | 4.7 | 17.6% | High | None | None | None |
| 4Y | Southern | limited | 2,400 | 13.6 | 8.2% | High | High | High | None |
| 4Z | Southern | limited | 2,500 | 10.0 | 12.2% | High | High | High | None |
| 5A | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5C | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5F | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5G | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5H | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5J | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 5R | Southern | limited | 9,700 | 26.0 | 7.6% | High | High | High | High |
| 5S | Southern | limited | 2,000 | 4.7 | 20.3% | Med | None | None | None |
| 5T | Southern | limited | 300 | 1.3 | 27.5% | PP Req | None | None | None |
| 6A | Northern | limited | 2,300 | 1.6 | PP Req | None | None | None | |
| 6C | Northern | limited | 3,800 | 3.9 | 17.4% | Med | None | None | None |
| 6F | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6G | Northern | limited | 21,000 | 22.5 | 12.8% | High | High | High | High |
| 6H | Northern | limited | 600 | 3.5 | 15.2% | Med | None | None | None |
| 6J | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6K | Northern | limited | 6,500 | 5.6 | 18.0% | Med | None | None | None |
| 6N | Northern | not authorized by law | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| 6P | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 7.9% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 6R | Southern | limited | 6,100 | 11.3 | 12.1% | High | Low | High | None |
| 6S | Southern | limited | 4,200 | 7.1 | 17.4% | High | None | None | None |
| 7A | Southern | limited | 6,100 | 11.2 | 17.1% | High | Low | High | None |
| 7F | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 8.2% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 7H | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 11.1% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 7J | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 9.7% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 7M | Southern | limited | 20,200 | 16.3 | 14.4% | High | Med | High | None |
| 7P | Southern | limited | 3,000 | 6.2 | 20.5% | Med | None | None | None |
| 7R | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 9.3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 7S | Southern | limited | 12,500 | 18.9 | 15.7% | High | High | High | High |
| 8A | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 16.8% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8C | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 23.1% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8F | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 14.0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8G | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 14.1% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8H | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 18.6% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8J | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 14.0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8M | Southern | limited | 9,800 | 31.9 | 17.4% | High | High | High | High |
| 8N | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 12.4% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8P | Southern | limited | 6,800 | 19.1 | 18.1% | High | High | High | High |
| 8R | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 15.8% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8S | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 19.0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 8T | Southern | limited | 7,500 | 19.5 | 23.1% | High | High | High | High |
| 8W | Southern | limited | 8,000 | 18.2 | 19.2% | High | High | High | High |
| 8X | Southern | limited | 13,600 | 34.0 | 18.2% | High | High | High | High |
| 8Y | Southern | limited | 8,700 | 24.6 | 15.0% | High | High | High | High |
| 9A | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 10.0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 9C | Southern | none listed | |||||||
| 9F | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 10.4% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 9G | Southern | unlimited/bonus | Unlimited | 9.8% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| 9H | Southern | limited | 21,800 | 22.4 | 17.3% | High | High | High | None |
| 9J | Southern | limited | 17,000 | 24.5 | 21.0% | High | High | High | Low |
| 9K | Southern | limited | 7,000 | 15.7 | 24.0% | High | Med | High | None |
| 9M | Southern | limited | 6,300 | 19.1 | 16.5% | High | Low | High | None |
| 9N | Southern | limited | 5,000 | 24.1 | 15.8% | High | Med | High | None |
| 9P | Southern | limited | 6,400 | 11.0 | 26.3% | Med | None | None | None |
| 9R | Southern | limited | 2,303 | 10.6 | 20.2% | High | None | High | None |
| 9S | Southern | limited | 1,200 | 13.1 | 18.6% | High | Low | High | None |
| 9T | Southern | limited | 2,292 | 9.2 | 22.5% | High | None | High | None |
| 9W | Southern | limited | 2,600 | 10.4 | 21.0% | Med | None | None | None |
| 9X | Southern | limited | 2,603 | 11.9 | 26.6% | High | None | Med | None |
| 9Y | Southern | limited | 5,400 | 43.3 | 15.0% | High | High | High | Med |
DEC 2026 DMP targets and chances of selection, checked October 27, 2026.
Unlimited units and units without DMPs
| Group | WMUs | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited and bonus DMPs | 23 | 1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, |
| No DMPs by law (Adirondacks) | 9 | 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6F, 6J, |
| Not in the DMP table | 3 | 1A, 2A, |
Filling and reporting a DMP in these WMUs automatically issues a bonus DMP; applications any time; preference points not used. State law does not allow DMPs in these Adirondack units; a pending bill would authorize DMPs in all of the Northern Zone (guide p. 4).
DEC antlerless deer page, checked October 27, 2026.
Earn-a-2nd-Buck, DMAP and the focus area
Other antlerless tags and programs
- Earn-a-2nd-Buck: Report an antlerless deer on any antlerless tag to receive a 2nd Antlered Deer Tag (both usable in any season except September antlerless).
- DMAP: Deer Management Assistance Program: site-specific antlerless tags issued to landowners/resource managers; DMAP on two state lands by application (Bully Hill State Forest, WMU 9P; Doodletown WMA, WMU 4Z). DMAP tags valid in the September antlerless season and youth hunt.
- Tompkins DMFA: Free DMFA permit and tags; 2 antlerless/day; January season second Saturday in Jan.-Jan. 31; activity log. Central Tompkins County around Ithaca (towns of Lansing, Dryden, Caroline, Danby, Newfield, Enfield, Ulysses in part); no state forests/WMAs inside.
- Antlered Deer Tag: Antlered deer in any season with privileges, except the September antlerless season; either sex in 3S, 1C, 4J, 8C, late seasons, youth hunt, non-ambulatory permit.
- 2nd Antlered Deer Tag: Earned by reporting an antlerless harvest (Earn-a-2nd-Buck).
- Bow/Muzz Antlerless Deer Tag: Antlerless only in bow/muzzleloader seasons (incl. 3S/1C regular and 1C January); not in Northern Zone antlered-only muzzleloader WMU 6N; junior bowhunters may use in regular season.
- DMP Antlerless Deer Tag: Any open season, only in the WMU printed; transferable.
- Bonus Youth Deer Tags: Opposite type after a youth-hunt deer on the Antlered Deer Tag (if no DMP held).
- DMP application fee: $10 (free for ages 12-15)
DEC big game rules, DEC focus area page and the license fee table, checked October 27, 2026.
DMP questions for New York hunters
How many DMPs can one hunter hold in 2026?
Up to 4 applications: 2 for limited WMUs and 2 for unlimited and bonus WMUs, plus up to 2 leftover DMPs from about Nov. 1.
When was the 2026 DMP deadline for limited units?
Oct. 1, 2026; the window opened Aug. 3. Unlimited and bonus units accept applications at any time.
Which WMUs have unlimited DMPs?
1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F and 9G.
Why are there no DMPs in the central Adirondacks?
State law does not allow them in 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6F, 6J and 6N; a pending bill would authorize DMPs across the Northern Zone.
Can a DMP be given to another hunter?
Yes. DMPs are the transferable tag, and consignment between hunters is unlimited in 2026.
What does LO/DV mean in the odds table?
Only landowners with 50 or more acres in the WMU and disabled veterans can expect a permit there.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); tuchodi (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).