Hunting
Hunting is among the most popular forms of wildlife recreation in New York State. Nearly 700,000 New Yorkers and over 50,000 nonresidents hunt in the Empire State.
New York offers many exciting opportunities to hunt a large variety of wildlife, including big game, small game, game birds and furbearers.
About 85 percent of New York State is private property and that is where most hunting occurs. Most private property is posted against trespass, but many landowners will allow access if people ask permission. Hunters should ask permission on private lands whether or not it is posted. There are also abundant state lands, such as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and some parks, on which to hunt.
Hunting supports wildlife conservation programs, through license fees and taxes on firearms and ammunition, including the successful Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program. It also provides substantial economic benefit to New York retailers and the tourism industry. Regulated hunting helps manage some wildlife populations to prevent crop and environmental damage.
Hunting is closely regulated by the Department of Environmental Conservation. The populations of wildlife hunted in New York are secure.
Hunters must complete a mandatory hunter education course to obtain a hunting license. Hunters following safety rules taught in those courses have made hunting one of the safest types of recreation.
The 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping Guide is available for download as a complete document and is also available in a series of smaller PDF documents covering specific areas of interest.
More about Hunting:
- New York Hunting and Trapping Guide - New York State Hunting & Trapping Guide.
- General Hunting Regulations and Frequently Asked Questions - Regulations applying to all hunting in New York State; regulations for specific game species are found under Small Game, Furbearers, Big Game, Migratory Game Bird and Trapping
- Game Harvest Reporting - If you take a deer, bear, coyote or turkey, you are required by law to report your take via the DECALS system.
- Deer and Bear Hunting - Links to information about hunting for deer and bear in New York State
- Turkey Hunting - Turkey hunting opportunities, safety, and regulations
- Small Game Hunting - A synopsis of New York State regulations for hunting small game and furbearers
- Furbearer Hunting - General information for hunting furbearers including red and gray fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, skunk, mink, weasel, and opossum.
- Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds - A summary of State and Federal rules that apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory waterfowl
- Hunting on Long Island - Long Island Hunting Opportunities.
- NYS Sportsman Education Program - All first-time hunters, bowhunters and trappers must pass one or more courses before they can get a license in New York State. The courses are free of charge. Trained instructors certified by the Department of Environmental Conservation teach safe and responsible outdoors practices and the important role of hunters in conservation.
- Places to Hunt in New York - Places to Hunt
