New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the start of early hunting seasons for deer and bear in certain regions of New York State.

An early bear season begins Sept. 7, and runs through Sept. 22 in 11 of New York State’s Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). In addition, an early antlerless deer season begins Sept. 14 and runs through Sept. 22 in 13 WMUs across the state.

“DEC’s early big game seasons are designed to manage deer and bear populations at levels that are in balance with available habitat and in alignment with hunter and New Yorkers’ recreational preferences,” said Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “By participating in these early big game seasons, hunters not only help manage wildlife populations, they also get an early start on filling their freezers with sustainably sourced meat while enjoying additional time outdoors with family and friends.”

WMUs for the early bear season include 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R, and 4W. WMUs for the early antlerless deer season include 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F.

In WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, hunters may use firearms, crossbows, or vertical bows during the early antlerless deer season; only vertical bows 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.

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 valid Deer Management Permits (DMPs) or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags. The application deadline for DMPs is Oct. 1, 2024. Bonus DMPs, which allow hunters who fill a DMP to apply for and receive a replacement DMP, are available in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.

Hunters using firearms 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. Hunters should also remember that a recent law change removed the requirement for hunters to wear a backtag while hunting anywhere in New York State.

DEC always encourages hunters to use common sense firearms safety during hunting seasons and to remember lessons learned in the DEC Hunter Education Course:

Point your gun in a safe direction.

Treat every gun as if it were loaded.

Be sure of your target and beyond.

Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.