New York Deer & Turkey Season Dates

2026-2027 deer and turkey season dates for New York.

Looking for harvest numbers? New York deer harvest by county.

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Whitetail Deer

Northern Zone

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Early BowhuntingSep 27, 2026 – Oct 23, 2026archery
Youth FirearmsOct 10, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026firearm
Early MuzzleloaderOct 17, 2026 – Oct 23, 2026muzzleloader
Regular FirearmsOct 24, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026firearm
Late BowhuntingDec 7, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026archery
Late MuzzleloaderDec 7, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026muzzleloader

Early Bowhunting: either sex

Youth Firearms: Youth ages 12-15

Late Bowhunting: Select WMUs only: 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H

Late Muzzleloader: Select WMUs only: 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H

Southern Zone

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Early AntlerlessSep 12, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026firearm/bow
Early BowhuntingOct 1, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026archery
Youth FirearmsOct 10, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026firearm
Regular FirearmsNov 21, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026firearm
Late MuzzleloaderDec 14, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026muzzleloader
Late BowhuntingDec 14, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026archery
Holiday Deer Season (Muzzleloader)Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027muzzleloader
Holiday Deer Season (Bowhunting)Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027archery

Early Antlerless: Firearms and bows in WMUs 3M,3P,3R,6P,7F,7H,7J,7R,8A,8F,8G,8H,8J,8N,8R,8S,9A,9F,9G; bow-only in WMUs 1C,3S,4J,8C antlerless only

Early Bowhunting: either sex

Youth Firearms: Youth ages 12-15; not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, 8C

Late Muzzleloader: Not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, 8C

Holiday Deer Season (Muzzleloader): Holiday Deer Season (Dec 26 - Jan 1); not in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, 8C

Holiday Deer Season (Bowhunting): Holiday Deer Season (Dec 26 - Jan 1)

Suffolk County (WMU 1C)

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Early Antlerless (bow-only)Sep 12, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026archery
Regular (bow-only)Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027archery
Special Permit FirearmsJan 3, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027firearm

Early Antlerless (bow-only): antlerless only bow-only

Regular (bow-only): bow-only

Special Permit Firearms: special permit required

Westchester County (WMU 3S)

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Early Antlerless (bow-only)Sep 12, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026archery
Regular (bow-only)Oct 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026archery

Early Antlerless (bow-only): antlerless only bow-only

Regular (bow-only): bow-only

Whitetail Deer source: dec.ny.gov

Turkey

Northern Zone (open WMUs)

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Fall Turkey SeasonOct 1, 2026 – Oct 14, 2026any

Fall Turkey Season: 1 bird of either sex statewide for the fall season. Sunrise to sunset. Some WMUs are closed; see the DEC fall turkey map. Either sex

Southern Zone (open WMUs)

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Fall Turkey SeasonOct 17, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026any

Fall Turkey Season: 1 bird of either sex statewide for the fall season. Sunrise to sunset. Some WMUs are closed; see the DEC fall turkey map. Either sex

Statewide (open areas)

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Spring Youth Turkey HuntApr 24, 2027 – Apr 25, 2027any
Spring Turkey SeasonMay 1, 2027 – May 31, 2027any

Spring Youth Turkey Hunt: 1 bearded bird; counts toward the two-bird spring limit. 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Open upstate (north of the Bronx-Westchester boundary) and Suffolk County. Bearded birds only; ages 12-15

Spring Turkey Season: 2 bearded birds, no more than 1 per day; no more than 1 in WMU 1C. 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Bearded birds only

Suffolk County (WMU 1C)

SeasonDatesWeaponBag limit
Fall Turkey SeasonNov 21, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026any

Fall Turkey Season: 1 bird of either sex statewide for the fall season. Sunrise to sunset. Either sex; no crossbows in Suffolk County

Turkey source: dec.ny.gov

Season dates and regulations can change. Always verify current dates with the New York state wildlife agency before you hunt.

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