New York hunting and fishing laws

All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must pass one or more courses before they can purchase a license. New York has no apprentice license.

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Junior hunters ages 12 and 13 need a mentor 21 or older, with three years of experience for deer and bear implements; ages 14 and 15 need a mentor 18 or older with one year of experience. First-time hunters aged 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 18 years or older with at least one year of experience with the same implement. The mentor must maintain physical control over the junior hunter at all times.

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The minimum hunting age is 12, as a junior hunter aged 12 to 15 with a qualifying mentor. A crossbow may not be used by anyone under the age of 14, except as allowed in counties that have opted into the pilot program for 12- and 13-year-olds. Junior hunters aged 12 and 13 may not hunt bear with a firearm, and may hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow only in counties that have passed a local law authorizing it.

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Applies to: Big game

Hunters and their companions hunting deer or bear with a firearm must wear a minimum total of 250 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink material worn above the waist and visible from all directions, or patterned material at least 50 percent fluorescent orange or pink, or a hat or cap with at least 50 percent fluorescent orange or pink exterior. Blaze pink is allowed.

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Applies to: Big game

Anyone hunting deer or bear with a firearm, and anyone accompanying them, must wear at least 250 square inches of solid or patterned (at least 50%) fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, visible from all directions, or a hat at least 50% solid fluorescent orange or pink. The rule covers firearm hunting, so bowhunters are not required to wear it.

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Sunday hunting is allowed in all areas of New York State. There is no historic ban.

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Applies to: Big game

Deer and bear may be hunted from 1/2-hour before sunrise to 1/2-hour after sunset.

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Applies to: Big game

Intentional feeding or baiting of deer or bear is prohibited at all times of year, including mineral blocks and powders. It is illegal to place a salt block or mineral lick on lands inhabited by deer. It is illegal to hunt with the aid of bait, or over any baited area when hunting big game. Agricultural plantings and wildlife food plots are exempt.

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Applies to: Big game

It is illegal to hunt deer or bear with the aid of any artificial light including laser sights. Spotlighting for observation is permitted under conditions, for example not within 500 feet of homes.

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Applies to: Furbearers

Furbearers may be hunted at night; coyote can be hunted day or night in season. Spotlights, night vision, and thermal and laser devices are permitted for furbearer hunting and may be attached to the firearm. Local laws may prohibit discharging firearms at night.

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Applies to: Big game

Fill in and sign a paper carcass tag immediately and attach it on arrival at camp, home, or vehicle; with an e-tag, answer the report questions in the HuntFishNY app right away. Report the harvest within 48 hours online, by phone, or in the app. If the head is removed for transport, evidence of sex must stay intact.

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DEC says always ask permission to hunt on private land, whether or not it is posted. Land is legally posted with signs at least 11 by 11 inches placed no more than 660 feet apart along the boundary, and entering posted land against the signs is prohibited (ECL 11-2111, 11-2113). New York sporting licenses do not extend to Indigenous Nations lands.

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