New York and New Jersey Hunting Seasons 2019-20

October 01, 2019
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New York and New Jersey Hunting Seasons 2019-20
Deer. Photo by James Hammond.

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Outdoor recreationists should be aware of hunting season schedules and areas where hunting is permitted when choosing where to explore in the greater New York metropolitan region.

Find details on the 2019-20 hunting seasons in New York and New Jersey below.

We've also compiled a list of our top 10 no-hunting hike areas in New York and New Jersey. 

Remember: It's always a good idea to wear bright colors when in the woods during hunting season, no matter where you go. 

2019-20 Hunting Season Schedules 

NEW YORK

Bear Season

Southern Zone (includes Hudson Valley and Catskills)
Early: Sept. 7-22
Early Bowhunting: Oct. 1-Nov. 15
Crossbow: Nov. 2-15
Regular (gun): Nov. 16-Dec. 8
Late Bowhunting: Dec. 9-17
Late Muzzleloading: Dec. 8-17
 
Westchester County
Regular-Bowhunting Only: Oct. 1-Dec. 31

Deer Season 

Southern Zone (includes Hudson Valley and Catskills)
Early Bowhunting: Oct. 1-Nov. 15
Crossbow: Nov. 2-15
Regular (gun): Nov. 16-Dec. 8
Late Bowhunting: Dec. 9-17
Muzzleloading: Dec. 9-17

Westchester County 
Regular-Bowhunting Only: Oct. 1-Dec. 31

Suffolk County 
Regular-Bowhunting Only: Oct. 1,2019-Jan. 31, 2020
Special Firearms (permit required): Jan. 5–Jan. 31, 2020
 
Read the NYS DEC's full summary of regulations regarding the 2019-20 big game, turkey, and furbearer seasons.

Popular Parks

Bear Mountain-Harriman and Sterling Forest State Parks
Hikers should be aware that hunting is allowed with a park permit in the area of Harriman west of Route I-87 and into Sterling Forest State Park. Other areas of Harriman-Bear Mountain are not open to hunting. For complete details, call the park at 845-351-5907 or view the Sterling Forest State Park Hunting Guide, which includes a map.
 
Schunemunk Mountain State Park
Hunting is allowed at the park.
 
Black Rock Forest
This private forest closes to all hikers during regular gun season, from Nov. 18 through Dec. 10.
 
Other State Parks
Hunting is allowed in parts or in all of some other state parks. Call parks for details. Find contact info by using our parks database. 
 
For more info on deer and black bear seasons and regulations in New York, visit the DEC website.
 

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey public lands open to hunting are administered by various entities including federal, state, county, and municipal governments. The Division of Fish & Wildlife has compiled a broad overview on public hunting land in New Jersey, including links to find regulations in specific parks. The following seasons are generally in effect but dates vary by region; check specific parks for exact dates.

Bear Season

Following Governor Phil Murphy's Executive Order No. 34 (pdf), DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe has issued Administrative Order No. 2018-24 closing all DEP owned, managed or otherwise controlled lands to bear hunting during the October and December 2018 season segments. The closure includes, but is not limited to, the following: state forests, parks, recreation areas and natural areas; and wildlife management areas. Click here for more information.

See the Division of Fish & Wildlife's page on New Jersey's black bear hunting season for more info.

Deer Season

The exact dates within the windows below will vary based on local management zone. Get full details on deer hunting in New Jersey.

Fall Bow: Sept. 14-Oct. 25
Youth Day Bow: Sept. 21
Youth Day Firearm: Nov. 23
Permit Bow: Oct. 26-Dec. 31, 2020
Permit Muzzleloader: Dec. 2, 3, 21-24, 26-31, 2019
Six-day Firearm: Dec. 9-14
Permit Shotgun: Dec. 18-20, 2019
Winter Bow: Jan. 1-31, 2020
 
Good to know: Hunting with firearms is generally prohibited throughout the state on Sundays. (Seasonal bowhunting is permitted on state wildlife management areas and private property on Sundays.) 
 
 
Contact Division of Fish & Wildlife at [email protected] with any questions.