New York hunters prepare for expanded crossbow hunting season

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Soon, all hunters across the state will be able to hunt deer and bears.

New York bowhunters can begin hunting deer in the Northern Zone on Saturday, while the Southern Zone bowhunting seasons for deer and bear start Wednesday, the Department of Environmental Conservation announced Friday.

The bear bowhunting season began Sept. 13 in the Northern Zone, which generally encompasses the Adirondacks. The rest of the state is considered the Southern Zone.

“Bowhunters enjoy tremendous opportunities here in New York, and those opportunities are even better now that crossbows can be used during the entire bow season and in bowhunting-only areas,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said Friday in a statement.

“Late summer weather, fall foliage, and plentiful big game populations combine to create outstanding conditions. It’s an exciting time of year.”

This fall marks a major change for New York hunters: crossbows may now be used in the same seasons, places, and manner as vertical bows for deer and bear hunting. Previously, state law limited where, when, and how crossbows could be used, even though they have been legal in most of the state for more than a decade.

The changes — signed into law this year by Gov. Kathy Hochul — remove most of the previous barriers.

Hunters in urban and suburban areas previously restricted to vertical bows are now allowed to hunt deer and bear with crossbows, expanding access for hunters of diverse backgrounds. In addition, the law removes minimum width and maximum draw weight requirements, allowing New York hunters to use most crossbows on the market.

To hunt deer and bear with a crossbow during the bowhunting seasons, hunters must hold a valid hunting license and bowhunting privilege. More information about crossbow hunting in New York is available on the DEC website.