Orange County NY Shooters  A site focused on Orange County NY With Local & State Gun, Firearm and Handgun rules and New York gun laws.  How to get a handgun license and local Gun Stores, Gun Ranges, People, Clubs, Gunshows, Hunting & Shooting related events.
Orange County NY Shooters logo.
HUNTING IN ORANGE COUNTY
(This area is ALWAYS being worked on and added to.
 Please e-mail me if you want me to include something or if you find an error.)
  Over 40,000 licenses were sold in Orange County for the 1998-1999 season. DEC rules for hunting change every year.  It is impossible to keep up with them.  I will give some of the most important information.  You will have to link to the DEC web site for everything else.  Check the regulations for the time of day you can hunt,  season and daily bag limit and other regulations.
You must register annually with the Harvest Information Program before hunting some birds. Call 1-888-4 ASK HIP.
Stop poachers and polluters call 1-800-TIPP DEC.

JOIN THE NRA, CLICK HERE AND HELP SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE AND YOURSELF
      UPDATED   6/5/11

I AM UPDATING THE SITE FOR THE 2011/12 SEASON

NY State License Year October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 Sales
CLICK HERE FOR DEC WEBSITE LINK

You may purchase 2011-2012 sporting licenses and permits via DECALS at:

  • New! On-line*, (leaving DEC's site) You can now purchase your license On-Line. Their are several requirements and you will have to wait several weeks for you license to come in the mail.
  • at any license issuing outlets (most municipal clerks' offices and many sporting goods stores),
  • by phone* at 1-86-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257) or
  • by mail to: MCI, P.O. Box 36985, Phoenix AZ 85067-6985 (download a mail order application form (67 kb pdf) )

* * In order to apply for a hunting license by phone or on-line, you must have proof of hunting qualifications already in the computerized system (currently anyone who has been issued a New York State hunting license through DECALS since August of 2002.) Internet customers will need their Customer ID Number which can be found on the previous year's license. NYS residents must also have your NYS driver's license number recorded in the DECALS database in order to apply on-line.

Please allow up to three weeks for delivery when purchasing licenses or permits by phone, mail, or on-line.

GO TO THE DEC
Purchasing a Sporting License
WEB PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Changes introduced with the new DECALS License System

  •  You will report your take by phone.
  •  New computer lottery system to issue DMP tags so that winners are issued DMP tags immediately.  Follow up lotteries allow all DMP tags to be issued.
  •  You can now transfer DMP tags to others. YOU MUST WRITE THE DMP NUMBER ON YOUR LICENSE ON THE SPACE PROVIDED AND IF THEY CATCH YOU THEY WILL GIVE YOU A TICKET. YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED 2 TRANSFERED TAGS.
  •  Their have been changes to Deer Bag Limits
  •  Black Powder shooters can now use scopes in all seasons

CLICK HERE FOR THE NYSDEC
RULES AND REGULATIONS
For those of you who want to look it up
or get a ticket.

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
* 2010 - 2011 hunting licenses and tags are required when hunting prior to Oct. 1, 2011

Check with the DEC for dates for Grouse, Squirrel, Rabbit, Hare, Pheasant and Quail.

     
    FALL 09
    SPRING 10
    TURKEY
    Oct 1
    Nov 20
    		  APRIL 24-25
    MAY 1
    MAY 31
    SHOTGUN          
    YOUTH HUNT          

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON TURKEY YOUTH HUNT
(Spring 2010 Date)

    DEER
    Oct 17
    Nov 20
    Nov 21
    Dec 13
    Dec 14
    Dec 22
    ARCHERY            
    REGULAR            
    BLACK POWDER            

      BEAR
      Oct 17
      Nov 20
      Nov 21
      Dec 13
      Dec 14
      Dec 22
      ARCHERY            
      REGULAR            
      BLACK POWDER            

           A pilot program is now in place to improve the are structure of bucks in 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K WMUs located primarily in Ulster County. The new regulations REQUIRE that bucks taken in these WMUs have at least one antler with 3 points (or more) which are at least one inch long. This restriction applies to the archery, regular and muzzleloading seasons.
            Important: Hunters under 17 years of age are exempt from this restriction. A hunter under 17 may still take any buck with at least one antler that is 3 inches long or longer.

       

 

  Most of the sportsmen's clubs in the area rent land both in Orange County and other counties in the state.  Many area land owners also allow people to hunt on their lands.  It is better if you carry with you the written permission of the land owner to hunt on the land.  Many areas are posted "NO HUNTING" and you will be in trouble if you hunt posted lands.

     Mohonk Preserve in Ulster County allows some hunting for a $30 fee. It is shotgun only and during the first week and weekend of the hunting season, followed by week days only through the end of the season. No small game hunting is allowed. Rules change every year so go to their web site for current information. They have a great web site that is worth the look even if you are not going to hunt at Mohonk Preserve.

Shotgun, Pistol, Archery, and Muzzleloading ONLY - NO RIFLES
(The 2008/09 Mohonk Preserve applications were not online on 8/30/08
They will be expanding the Archery season and day and time regulation. )

http://mohonkpreserve.org/visit/hunting/

CLICK ON THE LINK TO GO TO THE
U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department for:
Sun or Moon Rise/Set Table for One Year
Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day

PUT MOUSE POINTER OVER CHART TO ADJUST FOR YOUR AREA

Daylight Savings Time in NY Card

LICENSES

    You must have a license to hunt in New York.  New York sells several types to licenses that license you for specific types of hunting or fishing or a combination of the different types.  New York state requires that all hunters take a "Hunter Education Class" and show proof that they have taken the class before they are sold a license. You can find a list of the classes at your local city or town hall.  Many stores and clubs give the class or know where a class will be held.  The classes are free and take about 10 hours or so.  They fill up quickly so make sure that you do not wait too late to try to find a class.  The local coordinator is Rich Shannon, 782-7818.  (Tell him where you got the phone number.)
    Your local city or town hall will sell you your license as will some stores.  When you get your license you will be given a booklet that list the most important DEC rules and regulations.  To continue to pay to keep the current fish and wildlife programs going, the Conservation Fund needs to generate an average of $39 million annually over the next five years.

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO DEC LINKS PAGECLICK HERE TO LINK TO DEC LINKS PAGE
 
Current and New Sporting License Fees
  (CHART TAKEN FROM DEC WEB SITE.)

NOTE: ALMOST ALL FEES HAVE CHANGED THIS YEAR!

    License Type
    NEW FEE
    OLD Fee
    New York Resident
    DMP TAG (Deer Management Permit NEW FEE)
    $10
    		  
    Senior Sportsman
    $10
    $5
    Military Disabled
    $5
    $5
    Junior Hunting8
    $5
    $5
    Junior Archery8
    $9
    $9
    Seven-day Fishing
    $15
    $12
    Fishing
    $29
    $19
    Small & Big Game
    $29
    $19
    HUNTING/ Small Game
    $26
    $16
    Trapping
    $21
    $16
    Jr. Trapping
    $6
    $6
    Sportsman
    $47
    $37
    Bowhunting
    $21
    $16
    FREE Bowhunting (Must also have valid big game license.)
    70+ Years OR 40% + Military Disabled
    $0
    $0
    Muzzleloading
    $21
    $16
    FREE Muzzleloading (Must also have valid big game license.)
    70+ Years OR 40% + Military Disabled
    $0
    $0
    Super Sportsman2
    $88
    $68
    Turkey Permit
    $10
    $5
    Conservation Legacy3
    $96
    $76
    Federal Duck Stamp
    $15
    $15
    Conservation Patron4
    $12
    $12
    Habitat & Access Stamp5
    $5
    $5
    Resident Lifetime Licenses
    Sportsman6
    		 
         child under 5 yrs old
    $380
    $300
         child 5-11 yrs old
    $535
    $420
         12-69 yrs old (change from 65 years old)
    $765
    $600
         69 yrs and older (change from 65 years old)
    $65
    $50
    Small and Big Game7
    $535
    $350
    Fishing 0-69, (change from 12-64)
    $460
    $350
    Trapping
    $395
    $300
    Bowhunting
    $235
    $180
    Muzzleloading
    $235
    $180

CLICK HERE FOR NONRESIDENT LICENSE INFORMATION

    Notes:
    2License type that allows the bearer to hunt small game and big game, bow hunt, muzzle-loader hunt, hunt turkeys and fish.
    3License type that includes a super sportsman license, habitat and access stamp and subscription to The Conservationist.
    4Purchase package that includes a subscription to the Conservationist and a habitat and access stamp.
    5A voluntary stamp. Revenue from sale of this item will go into a dedicated account within the Conservation Fund and can only be used for projects to protect and improve habitat and to provide public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. 
    6Lifetime turkey permit is included with purchase of a lifetime sportsman license.
    7Lifetime small game and lifetime big game licenses. 
    8Hunt small game species with gun or bow during appropriate seasons when accompanied* by:
    1. Ages 12-13 - Parent, legal guardian or relative over 21 with written permission from parent/guardian.
    2. Ages 14-15 - Parent, legal guardian or person over 18 with written permission from parent/guardian.
    *Accompanier must have current hunting license.
    Junior hunter does not need Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl.

SAFETY

CLICK HER TO LINK TO THE NRA GUN SAFETY PAGE     All of the normal gun safety rules apply with a few additional ones.  Make sure that your gun is sighed in and all of the screws are tight.  You are not climbing trees, fences or going over rocks or  fallen trees when you go to the target range.  State law requires that your gun be unloaded until you are ready to shoot.  A person may not transport or possess a shotgun or rifle in or on a motor vehicle unless the firearm is unloaded in both chamber and magazine.  Unload your gun when going over anything.  You know what is on the other side of the target at a range but you have no way of knowing or seeing what is over the hill or behind those bushes when you are hunting.  What goes up must come down.  Try to always be shooting down at your target.  You are not the only hunter in the wood.  Avoid doing those things that would make an inexperienced or nervous hunter think that you are a target.  Do not let another hunter fool you into thinking that they are a target.  (It is hard to explain how that guy standing in the trees taking a leak looked just like a 10 point buck.)

WOMEN AND HUNTING

  Women of all ages can hunt just as well as men.  New York State does offer a special program to teach women all of the aspects of the outdoors.  This nationwide program provides women with information, encouragement and hands-on instruction in outdoor skills, such as fishing, rifle, shotgun, archery, deer and turkey hunting, outdoor photography, basic map and compass, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fish and game cooking, survival and identifying edible wild plants and is called "Becoming an Outdoors Woman".
.  The contact info is:
 Phone:  518-485-1000
 or write:   Mary Smollin,
                 NYS Outdoors Woman
                 PO Box 12063
                 Albany, NY 12212-2063
 

 NOTE:  Don't call it "women only" because it's open to anyone age 18 or over, but so far, only women have signed up for the workshops.  You might want to note that all instructors are volunteer and there are a number of male instructors.

WHAT TYPE OF GUN CAN I USE?     Some counties are shotgun only.  Orange County is not.  Some public areas do have gun type limits.  As far as what brand, style or caliber is best, you will have to find that out for yourself.  Every one has different taste and needs and hunts different game in different areas.  Most of the hunting in Orange County is in the woods or around a field.   Long range shots that one would expect in other areas of the country are the exception in Orange County.  Head to the local stores and talk to some people and it would not hurt to read some good books.  Click here to see a list of the local stores.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE DEER AFTER.     Look on  Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's web page  to see a good explanation of what to do when you do take a deer.  (I have been told; "Do not forget to take some string to tie off the anus with!")  After you get out of the woods you will need to have it cut up and may be put on the wall.  Look on the taxidermy & butchers page to find someone who will help you.  You can also donate all or some of your venison to local Food Banks in a program called Hunters Against Hunger.

CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO
TAXIDERMISTS & BUTCHERS

HUNTING AND FISHING GUIDES AND PRESERVES IN ORANGE COUNTY
A list of taxidermists & butchers who serve Orange County

HOW MUCH DOES THAT DEER WEIGH?
Use this simple chart to estimate weights.

Chest
Girth(in)
Live
Weight
(lb)
Dressed
Weight
(lb)
Meat
Yield(lb)
Retail
Cut
Meat
Yield(lb)
Boneless
Cut
24
65
45
30
25
25
69
49
31
26
26
74
53
34
28
27
79
58
36
30
28
85
62
38
32
29
91
68
41
34
30
97
73
44
37
31
104
79
47
39
32
111
85
50
42
33
119
92
53
44
34
127
99
57
47
35
136
106
61
51
36
145
114
65
54
37
156
123
69
57
38
166
132
74
61
39
178
142
79
66
40
194
153
85
71
41
204
164
90
75
42
218
177
97
81
43
234
190
103
85
44
250
204
110
91
 

HUNTER HARASSMENT     Yes, there is a law against interfering with the lawful taking of wildlife:  It's Section 11-0110 of Environmental Conservation Law (ECL).  In summary, it prohibits threats and attempts to have - or actual physical contact (shoving, hitting, etc) licensed hunters and anglers who are hunting and fishing or camping or making preparation to legally hunt or fish.   The law also prohibits following and harassing and/or alarming hunters and anglers w/o having a legitimate purpose for doing so. The law also states that : " Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of law to the contrary, no one shall be arrested for violation of this section by  other  than  a duly designated  peace  officer  acting  pursuant to his special duties, or a police officer."  So I would guess that a citizens arrest is not allowed.

Attention HUNTERS!!!
Don't forget the Venison Donation program. You can donate deer that you do not want.
CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO DONATE IN THE YOUR AREA CODE

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE MAIN HOME PAGE

Deer taken by bow in 2004 season
Deer taken by bow in 2004 season


David Dirk's Internet suggestions.
David Dirk writes the Outdoor Column for the Times-Herald Record every Sunday.  On 12/5/99 he wrote about where to find information on the internet.  The following is a list of what he suggest as the best sites to visit and what he liked about them.
www.whitetaildeer.com Everything about Deer
http://internationalhunters.homestead.com/ Big game hunting. Elk, black bear, moose ...
www.bowsite.net deer calling
www.buckmasters.com Hunters Rights. "It's a real treasure."
www.gamecalls.net Affect of weather on hunting.  Tips, information and recipes.
www.huntingdigest.com Clay shooting. gunsmith tips, reloading, limited mobility hunting, ...


Statistics on the maximum range of ammunition provided by the California Rifle and Pistol Association.
Zone of Danger for Common Firearms
Rifles
.22 long rifle - 4,870 feet
.30-.30 Winchester - 11,600 feet
.30-.06 - 17,000 feet
Common Shotguns, 12 gauge
No. 8 shot - 720 feet
No. 4 shot - 910 feet
00 buck - 1,830 feet
slug - 2,450 feet
Pistols
.38 special - 5,000 feet
.9mm Luger - 5,700 feet
.357 magnum - 7,100 feet


LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION

New York State Hunting links and Info page
The New York hunting page is a information center for
Hunting in the state of New York
from the Catskills to the Adirondacks

Click on to link to:
THE NEW YORK STATE BIG BUCK CLUB

THE NEW YORK STATE BIG BUCK CLUB

Whitetail Deer and Bear Records of New York State


 
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