Bear hunting seasons begin on Sept. 19 and run through December 6 in the Northern Zone. The rifle season is only in Adirondack WMUs, while bowhunting is allowed in the rest of the Northern Zone. 

Bear Cooperators
Each hunting season, DEC works with successful bear hunters, cooperating taxidermists, and meat processors to collect age, sex, and weight information from harvested black bears. Recording this information over time allows DEC to more accurately monitor the size and health of New York State’s bear population, which helps inform future bear management decisions. To determine a bear’s age, DEC examines growth patterns in the root of an extracted premolar tooth.

Successful hunters who report their bear harvest and submit a premolar tooth from their bear will receive a commemorative patch and the age information from their bear. Hunters may also work with cooperating taxidermists and meat processors who will remove and submit the premolar teeth on their behalf. Please note that bear jaws and skulls submitted in lieu of a premolar tooth will not be analyzed for an age estimate.

Southern Zone Bear
An early bear season began on September 12 and runs through September 27 in 11 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in the Southern Zone (WMUs, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R, and 4W). Additionally, an early antlerless deer season begins on September 12 and runs through September 20 in 23 WMUs in the Southern Zone–including 10 new WMUs where the early antlerless deer season has been expanded (1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7J, 7H, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G).

Early NY deer Seasons
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding big game hunters that early hunting seasons for deer and bear begin in September in New York State. An early bear season began on September 12th and runs through September 27th in eleven Wildlife Management Units in the Southern Zone (WMUs, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R & 4W). Additionally, an early antlerless deer season begins on September 12th and runs through September 20th in 23 WMUs in the Southern Zone – including 10 new WMUs where the early antlerless deer season has been expanded (1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7J, 7H, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F & 9G). Bear hunting seasons begin on September 19th and run through December 6th in the Northern Zone.  

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 Deer Management Permits (DMPs) or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags. All WMUs that have an early antlerless deer season offer unlimited DMPs, which allow hunters who report an antlerless deer harvest on a DMP to receive a Bonus DMP for the same WMU. Hunters are encouraged to apply for DMPs in these WMUs ahead of the early antlerless deer season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer will also receive a second antlered deer tag for the 2026-27 seasons through DEC’s new “Earn-a-2nd-Buck” program.  

In WMUs 3M, 3P, 3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G, hunters may use firearms, crossbows, or vertical bows during the early antlerless deer season, but only vertical bows or crossbows 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.  

Hunters using firearms, including muzzleloaders, 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 refer to the 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Guide and DEC’s Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations webpages for more information about deer and bear hunting in NY. 

Habitat Stamp
Consider purchasing a $5.00 Habitat/Access Stamp to help conserve and improve fish and wildlife habitat. The 2026-27 Habitat & Access Stamp features a dragonfly—an eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) to be exact! The Habitat & Access Stamp was created in 2002 by Legislation. All funds from the purchase of Habitat & Access Stamps are directly deposited into the DEC Habitat and Access Account (HCAA). It is used for ongoing and upcoming projects aimed towards conserving habitat and increasing fish and wildlife recreational access. A donation of $5 is all that is required to help invest in the future of New York’s outdoor recreational opportunities!