The latest from ADKHunter…

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Cold Shot: Below average temperatures are headed for Northern New York in the week ahead, which should jell nicely with the whitetail rut. In the past week, since Halloween, reports of scrape activity have been on the rise, along with some rubs too. Bucks are on the move and now is a time to consider the doe groups in your hunting areas because the boys will be paying more and more attention to the girls. High winds and some heavier rains have brought down the leaves, but there’s still plenty of underbrush in the foothills. The rain has also brought some much-needed water and brooks that were once dry are now flowing, which could change deer movements from what they were during the drought. With the cold weather, the Northern and Western Adirondacks are likely in for some snow (lucky them) this weekend, which they also got a small dose last weekend. Make the most of it now, if you can, this time of year only comes once. 

-Dan’l  

PS: Kudos to all the hunters who were inspected by DEC in Hamilton County, Oct. 19. Here’s DEC’s report:

Vehicle and Hunting Compliance Checks – Hamilton County
On Oct. 19, ECOs stationed at a check point in Hamilton County checked more than 100 vehicles, including hunters. Officers found no hunting violations, firearms that were safe and unloaded during their inspections, and legally tagged deer. These routine checks help to ensure that all hunters are adhering to New York’s hunting regulations. DEC thanks the public for their assistance during these inspections and acknowledges the successful compliance of hunters throughout the day. -NYSDEC

Last summer, Dan  was a t guest on the Adirondack Hunt Podcast, presented by Big Woods Bucks. Give it a listen/view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81pFkXTrMHk 

Send photos to: buck@adkhunter.com (please include name, hometown, size of deer and county of kill). 

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DEC’s Adirondack Backcountry Reports

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If you notice any damage or hazardous areas not listed below, please report to info.r5@dec.ny.gov.

Nov. 6

  • No new updates this week.

Oct. 30

High Peaks

  • Boreas Ponds Tract: The Boreas Pond CP-3 Route is back open.

Northern

  • Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: The road to Saint Germain Pond, at Lake Clear, will be closed for maintenance work from November 5th to November 7th.

Southwestern

  • Independence River Wild Forest:
    • All DEC docks in the Independence River Wild Forest have been removed for the season.
    • Water has been turned off for the season at the Otter Creek Horse Trails Assembly Area.

Oct. 22

If you notice any damage or hazardous areas not listed below, please report to info.r5@dec.ny.gov.

  • No new updates this week.

Oct. 16

East Central

Hoffman Notch Wilderness:

  • The intersection of the Notch Trail and Big Pond Trail has been relocated approximately 300 feet south on the Notch Trail.
  • The North Branch of Trout Brook on Big Pond Trail does not have a bridge. Please make plans to cross the stream at low and normal water levels via rock hopping and shallow fording.
  • The Jones Hill Trail is marked and open. Please check the DECinfo Locator page for up-to-date maps reflecting this addition.

Southwestern

Independence River Wild Forest:

  • Water will be turned off at the Otter Creek Horse Trails the week of October 14th.
  • Stillwater Mountain Trail is closed through December 20th (subject to terms of the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement).

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E-Tags now a reality, youth hunters to get bonus tag

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the adoption of several changes to streamline use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new deer hunting opportunities. Hunters can now use DEC’s online app for their licenses and tags as an alternative to paper license and tag options. Youth hunters will also have increased opportunities to earn a new season tag. 

Updated Reporting Tag Options 
Hunters can choose to use a paper license and tags or the HuntFishNY mobile app as electronic proof of licensure and possession of tags for deer, bear, or turkey. Users of electronic tags (e-tags) will be able to immediately report their harvest with the mobile app whether they have cell service or not. Users also won’t need to attach a physical tag to their harvested deer, bear, or turkey while they remain in possession of the carcass, including in their vehicle and at their home.  

If e-tag users leave the carcass somewhere other than their home or vehicle, such as at a taxidermist or processor, they would need to affix a tag of their making to the carcass that includes the hunter’s name, identification number, and reporting confirmation number. 

Hunters will still have the option to use paper licenses and tags for deer, bear, and turkey, but to encourage prompt reporting and facilitate greater law enforcement oversight, hunters using paper tags are now required to report their harvest within 48 hours rather than seven days. 

New Opportunity for Youth Hunters 
DEC also created a new opportunity for youth hunters. DEC will issue a bonus regular season tag to youth hunters (ages 12-15) who successfully take and report a deer taken during a Youth Big Game Hunt weekend with their regular season tag and who do not possess a Deer Management Permit (DMP) for the regular firearms season. The bonus regular season tag will be valid for a deer of the sex opposite from what was harvested during the youth hunt (e.g., harvest of an antlered deer during the Youth Deer Hunt would yield an antlerless-only bonus tag for the regular season). DEC will mail this tag to the eligible hunters. 

Deer Management Assistance Program Enhancements  
DEC also enhanced the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) by extending the permit renewal cycle from three years to five years and rescinding the limit on number of DMAP tags that may be used per hunter. DEC will still determine the number of tags available with each DMAP permit based on property size and management need, but hunters will no longer be limited by the number of DMAP tags they can fill on that property. These changes increase flexibility for landowners, improving their ability to use DMAP to meet land management objectives.  

The full text of the adopted regulations and a summary of the public comment DEC received on the proposals are available on DEC’s website. 

Also new for fall 2025, hunters in New York State may use a crossbow in the same seasons, places, and manner as a vertical bow for hunting deer and bear. More information on expanded use of crossbows for hunting is available on DEC’s website. 

Visit DEC’s website to learn more about hunting licenses, seasons, and regulations and to sign up for DEC’s Hunting and Trapping newsletter.

Read even more about the changes in NY Outdoor News

 

Salmon River – Lower Fly Fishing Section Closed

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To address the impacts of unusually low water levels along the Salmon River the lower fly fishing section will remain closed at least through October 31. Water releases from the Salmon River Reservoir are also being adjusted ahead of the annual salmon run in hopes that sufficient numbers of salmon reach the hatchery for egg collection in order to sustain DEC’s stocking program.

 This is the perfect time for anglers to check out other Great Lakes tributaries that also offer incredible fishing opportunities.

An alternate location includes the Upper Fly Area located above the hatchery grounds on Route 22. Other locations can be found on DEC’s Find Places to Go webpage. 

Fishing the Salmon River
Pacific Salmon Fishing in Lake Ontario Tributaries

Hunting Seasons Now Open Across New York

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DEC announces the start of small game hunting and furbearer trapping seasons for the 2025–26 license year. Most seasons open between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, with full details available in the 2025–26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.

Black bear season began in the Adirondack region on Sept. 13. 

Special Youth and Military Waterfowl Days
Youth hunts are scheduled for Sept. 27–28 (Upstate) and Nov. 8–9 (Long Island). Veterans and active military days generally align with youth dates. Check zone-specific dates on the DEC website.

Upland Game Highlights

  • Ruffed Grouse: Opens Sept. 20 (Northern Zone) and Oct. 1 (Southern Zone)
  • Pheasant: Youth hunts begin Sept. 27; regular season starts Oct. 1 (Eastern NY), Oct 18 (Western NY), and Nov. 1 (Long Island and NYC)
  • Squirrel: Seasons begin Sept. 1 (upstate) and Nov. 1 (Downstate)
  • Cottontail Rabbit: Seasons begin Oct. 1 (upstate) and Nov. 1 (Downstate)
  • Hare: Seasons begin Oct. 1 (Northeast), Dec. 8 (Southeast), and Jan. 1 (Southwest)
  • Fall Turkey: Opens Oct. 1 (Northern Zone), Oct. 18 (Southern Zone), and Nov. 15 (Suffolk County)

Get Involved: Snapshot NY

Help DEC monitor wildlife by deploying trail cameras through Snapshot NY. Learn more and sign up on the Snapshot NY website.

Hunt Safe

Wear blaze orange or pink, follow firearm safety rules, and always be sure of your target.

Explore season dates, maps, and regulations at DEC’s Hunting and Trapping pages.