St. Lawrence County deer hunters heading into the woods this fall have a new incentive to harvest an antlerless deer: They can earn a second tag for an antlered deer.

The Department of Environmental Conservation adopted the new rules for the 2026 hunting seasons as part of an effort to increase the harvest of does and help control deer populations.

Under the new system, hunters receive one Antlered Deer Tag when they purchase their hunting license. A hunter who harvests and reports an antlerless deer using a valid antlerless deer tag can then receive a second Antlered Deer Tag.

The second tag can be used during the same seasons as the original tag, provided the hunter has the appropriate privileges.

DEC officials say increasing the harvest of antlerless deer is important because does are the primary driver of deer population growth.

“There are several changes to deer hunting regulations in place for the 2026 hunting seasons and I encourage all hunters to review the new regulations before heading safely afield this fall,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said.

For hunters in St. Lawrence County, the Northern Zone early bowhunting season opened Sept. 27 and runs through Oct. 23.

The early muzzleloading season begins Oct. 17, followed by the regular firearms season, which opens Oct. 24 and runs through Dec. 6.

The changes go beyond the second-buck system. DEC also expanded the number of Wildlife Management Units where hunters can obtain unlimited or bonus Deer Management Permits.

Hunters in the designated units can apply for unlimited DMPs throughout the hunting season, and all who apply will receive them. After an antlerless deer is harvested and reported, the permit is immediately replaced with a bonus DMP.

DMPs can also be transferred between hunters, although transfers must be made using paper tags. A hunter who uses a transferred DMP to take an antlerless deer can qualify for the additional permits and second Antlered Deer Tag under the new system.

The changes come as DEC says deer numbers have grown in many parts of New York to levels that can affect wildlife habitat, 

Young hunters will have an early opportunity to take to the woods during New York's Youth Firearms Big Game Hunt, scheduled for Oct. 10-12.

The hunt is open to licensed hunters ages 12 through 15, with special rules applying to 12- and 13-year-old hunters. Those hunters may participate only in counties that have adopted a local law allowing them to hunt.

All youth hunters must be accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult.

DEC is also reminding hunters that harvested deer can be donated to people in need. The agency works with participating deer processors, the state Department of Health and Feeding New York State to cover processing costs for donated deer and venison.the hunting experience and the public.

Youth firearms hunt 

New York's 2026 Youth Firearms Big Game Hunt (Youth Hunt) occurs October 10–12 for youth hunters aged 12–15. The Youth Hunt takes place throughout the State, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. Licensed 12- to 13-year-old hunters may only participate in counties that passed a local law allowing such participation. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. A map of county participation for 12- and 13-year-olds and additional rules for the Youth Hunt can be found on DEC’s Youth Big Game Hunting webpage.