New York deer season 2026: the opener and free maps
When the firearm season opens
Southern Zone regular season: Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, December 13, 2026
Westchester (WMU 3S) and Suffolk (WMU 1C) are bowhunting only in the regular season.
Source: New York State DEC
Northern Zone regular season: Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, December 6, 2026
Source: New York State DEC
Checked on the agency's site November 6, 2026. Archery, muzzleloader, youth and antlerless seasons, bag limits and unit rules differ: the regulations are what count, so read them before you go.
Legal shooting hours for big game in New York, generally: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Some public lands and opening days differ.
Opening morning you'll likely be walking in before light and may have no signal. Download the maps for your spot ahead of time and Cartahaven shows your GPS position on them offline, so you can find your stand and the property line in the dark.
Free public land maps in New York
Before you go
Cartahaven is not affiliated with or endorsed by New York State DEC. Season dates come from the agency's page linked above.