Everything you need to know about the upcoming NYS gun season for deer

ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) – As the fall season approaches its closing weeks, hunters across the state are preparing to welcome this year’s gun season for whitetail deer.

New York State’s most popular big game hunting season begins November 16 and ends December 8 in most parts of the state. The DEC said an estimated 470,000 licensed hunters will participate in this year’s season, accounting for about 60% of the state’s deer harvest.

You can check this map to find out when gun and muzzleloading season starts and ends in your area. provided by DEC.

Upcoming CWD concerns

with Latest discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease found in New YorkDEC is responding at a captive deer facility in southern Herkimer County. While DEC says there is currently no evidence that CWD is present in wild deer, it is increasing surveillance in the area and asking hunters in the area to submit deer heads to DEC for CWD testing.

When CWD spreads rapidly and is nearly impossible to eradicate and can threaten future deer hunting opportunities. Although it is impossible to eradicate, hunters can help prevent the emergence of CWD by implementing precautions.

Precautions to know when hunting outside of New York:

• If you are harvesting any type of deer, elk, elk or caribou, remove the bones from the venison before bringing it back to New York. DEC will seize and destroy illegally imported deer carcasses and parts.

• If you harvest an out-of-state deer known to have CWD, submit samples to the state’s Department of Natural Resources for DWD testing before consuming the venison. If venison tests positive, contact DEC for proper disposal.

Precautions you need to know when hunting in New York:

• Avoid using deer urine-based baits or attractive scents as they may contain CWD. DEC wants you to use synthetic products instead.

• Dispose of deer carcass waste in an off-road landfill.

• Hunt only wild deer and support the principles of fair game hunting.

DEC is asking hunters in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren or Winfield in Herkimer County and the town of Richfield in Otsego County to submit deer heads for testing at one of seven drop-off points.

When releasing the head of a deer:

• Cut off the deer’s head, leaving part of its neck

• Keep the head cold or frozen until delivery in December

• Remove skull and antlers before handing over

• Place the head in a plastic garbage bag

• Label the bad with your name, address and phone number and complete the DEC label at the drop-off location

• Drop the bagged head into the white metal container at one of the drop points below

Below are seven drop locations:

Warren Township

• 131 Hyde-Bell Lane, Jordanville NY 13361 (highway department)

Columbia Township

• 936 Jordanville Road, Ilion NY 13367 (sand building)

• 147 County Route 259, Ilion NY 13357 (city hall)

Town of Litchfield

• 804 Cedarville Road, Ilion NY 13357 (highway department)

Winfield Town

• 306 Stone Road, West Winfield NY 13491 (highway department)

Herkimer Town

• 225 North Main Street, Herkimer NY 13350 (Herkimer NYSDEC Office)

Richfield Township

• Boss Ranch, 1545 County Route 25, Richfield Springs 13439

DEC did not pay attention to instructions regarding head dropping when considering taxidermy or ‘mounting’ options for deer.

Safety precautions: Fasten Your Seatbelts Before Going Up

DEC also encourages hunters to continue taking the necessary steps to stay safe while hunting. Most hunting-related injuries are caused by hunters getting in and out of a tree stand.

Daily hunting hours for elk include the entire daylight period starting 30 minutes before sunrise and continuing 30 minutes after sunset. These clocks ensure there is enough light for hunters to identify their target and what lies beyond.

all hunters necessary Wearing fluorescent orange or pink clothing over a hat, vest, or jacket that is visible from all directions.

Release the young bucks and watch them grow

DEC also encourages hunters Release the young bucks and watch them grow.

While New York continues to document a steady increase in the percentage of yearling deer (1.5 years old) in the deer harvest, the percentage of older deer (at least 2.5 years old) in the harvest also continues to increase.

This education campaign encourages hunters to voluntarily take opportunities on young bucks to ensure more bucks reach older age classes while preserving hunters’ freedom to harvest any buck they desire.

By harvesting bucks to replace young bucks, hunters help keep buck populations in balance with available habitat that allows bucks to meet nutritional requirements for body and antler growth and fawn production. Hunters can help manage New York’s elk herd by continuing to release young bucks and harvesting at least one doe this hunting season.

Youth hunting opportunities

This year, hunters ages 12 and 13 can hunt with a firearm during the regular season accompanied by a licensed, experienced adult guide.

The program was established in 2021 and has been extended through 2025 for upstate counties that choose to participate. program not valid Suffolk and Westchester Counties and Erie and Rockland Counties do not participate in the program.

New label printing regulations

As of August 1, DEC switched materials for hunting and trap tags and fishing licenses from synthetic paper to plain paper. This gives NYS hunters and trappers the ability to print hunting tags from the comfort of their home.

The change was made in an effort to reduce the state’s carbon footprint and costs. New article means hunters in New York State You don’t need to install the back sticker anymore while hunting.

All labels ordered online will be printed and delivered to you via email at the end of your transaction and are also available under ‘Active Licenses, Permissions and Privileges’ in your online DECALS account. Labels ordered online no will now be sent by mail to your home.

Licenses ordered by phone will also be delivered via email. You can request your licenses and tags to be mailed when ordering by phone, but you will have to wait up to 14 business days to receive them.

As of November 13, DEC announced the printing fee that will be associated with printing and mailing licenses. The fee, starting at $1, covers printing costs and materials from Licensing Agents. DEC notes that some sellers may charge up to $2 for this fee.

This is the result of a regulation that allows Licensing Agents to recover costs associated with printing and mailing paper sports licenses and other items sold through DEC’s Automated Licensing System.

To avoid the fee, hunters and trappers can purchase licenses online, by phone or through DEC’s HuntFishNY mobile app, or by opting in to receive tags via email for free printing at home.

Children 15 and under must have a legal parent or guardian assist them in purchasing labels or licenses.

Despite the recent changes, people can purchase licenses and tags in person or by phone at select local stores or a local Municipal Clerk’s Office. You can use the HuntFishNY app for license proof.

You are required by law to report your harvest within seven days and critical data To inform DEC’s management of deer, bear and turkey populations.

For more information about changes to purchasing decals or how to create a DECALS online account, visit: December website.

If you still want to purchase your annual or lifetime hunting or fishing license and need more information about license requirements, rules, regulations and prices, visit this website.

Hunters can do it too donate venison helping those less fortunate while contributing to deer management, and for the first time this season, big game hunters will be able to use rifles in Niagara County!

For specific clarifications regarding regulations and open hunting areas, hunters can 2024-2025 Hunting and Trapping Regulation Guide. Hunters are encouraged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide before heading out into the field.

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