Hunting Seasons 2014

NEW YORK

Note: NY now has an early bear season and permits use of Crossbow, including during the new early bear and certain deer seasons. Find DEC crossbow rules by clicking here.

Bear Season (Southern Zone)

Early: Sept 6- 21

Regular: Nov. 15- Dec. 7

Bow Hunting: Oct. 1- Nov. 14; Dec. 8 - Dec. 16

Deer Season Southern Zone (includes Hudson Valley and Catskills)

Regular (Gun): Nov. 15 - Dec. 7
Bow: Oct. 1 - Nov. 14; Dec. 8 - Dec. 16

Westchester Co.
Bow only: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31

Suffolk Co.
Bow only: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31

Special Firearms Season (special permit, weekdays): Jan. 5 – Jan. 30

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 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

Schunemunk Mountain State Park: Hunting is allowed at the park.

Other State Parks: Hunting is allowed in parts or all of some other state parks. Call parks for details. Find contact info by using our parks database. 

Black Rock Forest (845-534-4517) This private forest closes to all hikers during regular gun season, from Nov. 15 through Dec. 7.

For info about all hunting seasons and regulations in New York, visit the DEC website.

NEW JERSEY

Regulations in NJ are quite complicated and info about the where and when that hunting is permitted can be hard to find. However, the following seasons are generally in effect.

Bear Season: Dec. 8-13. For additional info, check http://www.eregulations.com/newjersey
/hunting/bear-hunting/

Deer Season

Early Bow: Opens Sept.  13 in zones 2, 5, 6-9, 13 and 36 which include such popular hiking areas as Waywayanda SP, Jenny Jump SF, Swartswood SP, Allamuchy Mt. SP, some county parks and numerous Wildlife Management Areas. Statewide, the season is Oct. 4-31

Winter Bow: Jan. 1-31

6 Day Firearm: Dec. 8-13

There are additional permit deer seasons. Look for them at http://www.eregulations.com/newjersey/hunting/

The safest course in the fall in New Jersey is to hike only on Sundays, when hunting with firearms is generally prohibited throughout the state. (Seasonal bow-hunting is permitted in Wildlife Management Areas on Sundays.) 

Click here to find more information about hunting
in NewJersey.

Morris County Parks will be open for limited deer hunting again this season. The purpose is to manage the size of the deer herd to protect woodland ecology. A list of the locations and timetable of hunts is posted at morrisparks.net/deer/whitetail-schedule.asp