The NYS DEC recently made a few changes to whitetail deer hunting regulations in the state to better manage deer populations. Some areas have more than enough deer, while other areas are struggling to support the herd.
The initial release of information was somewhat difficult to understand, so let me break down the new rules for you, based on Wildlife Management Unit (WMU):
WMU 6A
- Black powder hunters will not be permitted to take antlerless deer during early muzzleloader season.
- Bowhunters will continue to be permitted to take antlerless deer during both early and late bowhunting seasons.
- Black powder hunters will be permitted to take antlerless deer during late muzzleloader season.
WMUs 1C, 3M, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8N, 9A, and 9F
- Hunters are permitted to take only antlerless deer in the first 15 days of early bow season (October 1-15), and all of late bow and muzzleloader season, except where there is no late bow and muzzleloader season (WMUs 1C and 3S).
- Hunters are permitted to take antlered or antlerless deer during the rest of the early bow season and regular firearms season (with correct tags).
There are no changes to other WMUs.
Most of these new regulations affect people that hunt down near New York City, or out in Western New York. None of the WMUs noted above fall within the blue line, however, a few are in the Catskill Mountains and WMU 6A spans Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties.
2015-2016 Hunting Season dates are available here >>
Good luck out there!
