2011 HUNTING SEASON, DATES, YOUTH BOW, CROSSBOW

TENTATIVE 2011 – 2012 NY BIG GAME SEASON DATES
Note: These dates are tentative. Final dates will be published in the 2011-2012 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide

Southern Zone
Deer
Bowhunting Season: Oct. 15 – Nov. 18, Dec. 12 – Dec. 20
Regular Season: Nov. 19 – Dec. 11
Muzzleloading Season: Dec. 12 – Dec. 20

Bear (see season maps for Bear Hunting Area boundaries)
Southeastern Bear Hunting Area
Bowhunting Season: Oct. 15 – Nov. 18, Dec. 12 – Dec. 20
Regular Season: Nov. 19 – Dec. 11
Muzzleloading Season: Dec. 12 – Dec. 20

Laws & Rule-making Law Offers Big Game Hunting Opportunity for Younger Bowhunters.

A recently amended law lowered the minimum age for youth hunters to purchase a Junior Bow hunting License from 14 to 12 years of age. Now, 12-13 year old Junior Bow hunters can hunt deer and bear, if they meet the following requirements:
o Have completed both hunter and bow hunter safety education courses.
o Have obtained a junior bow hunting license
o Are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a “youth mentor” who is 21 years or older and designated in writing by their parent or legal guardian (please use the permission form – PDF, 24 kb). The adult mentor must have at least three years’ experience in hunting deer or bear by longbow AND have a current valid license to hunt big game.

Proposed Changes on Using Crossbows For Big Game Hunting.

DEC has proposed a rule-making change to allow the taking of big game (deer and bear) by the use of crossbow during any regular or special late big game season with required crossbow safety education training. Additionally, the proposed changes will allow physically impaired citizens to take big game or small game without obtaining a “modified archer permit” when using specially equipped longbows that help in the drawing, holding and releasing of a bowstring. Further details on this proposed change can be found in the DEC Press Release. To review the proposed rule-making changes, the regulatory impact statement, and to provide comments, visit the Proposed Regulations webpage. Public comments will be accepted through July 5, 2011.