New York Hunting Law and Regulations

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 In 2022, New York State adopted requirements for the purchase and transfer of ownership of semi-automatic rifles and the purchase, possession, storage, and transport of firearms and ammunition in New York. See Questions and Answers Regarding Impacts to Hunting and Hunting-Related Activities from Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws (PDF). 

For complete reference consult the following:  
- New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)
- Volume 6 of the New York State Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)

• License Types and Fees

• Big Game Hunting Regulations
• Turkey Hunting Regulations
• Furbearer Hunting Regulations (see Furbearer definition below)
• Small Game Hunting Regulations (see Small Game definition below)
• Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird Regulations

See current hunting seasons

For information on where various legal implements may be used in the state, see Rifle, Shotgun, Crossbow and Bow Areas.

It is illegal to discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow:

• so that the load or arrow passes over any part of a public highway,
• within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow) or 150 feet (for a bow) of any school, playground, or an occupied factory or church,
• within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow) or 150 feet (for a bow) of a dwelling, farm building, or structure in occupation or use unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent.
• You may hunt waterfowl with a firearm or bow, over water, within 500 feet of a dwelling or public structure as long as neither are within 500 feet (for a firearm) or 150 feet (for a bow) in the direction you are shooting.

It is illegal to take or hunt wildlife:

• while in or on a motor vehicle (except by the holder of a Non Ambulatory Hunter Permit).
• with the aid of a vehicle's lights.
• on or from any public road or shoulder.
• with any firearm equipped with a silencer.
• with any firearm which continues to fire as long as the trigger is held back (an automatic firearm).
• with a spear or spear gun.
• with a bow equipped with any mechanical device which is attached to the bow (other than the bowstring) for drawing, holding or releasing the bowstring, except for a hunter with a disability who is in possession of a Modified Longbow Authorization (or valid Modified Archery Permit).
• with a modified crossbow except for a hunter with a disability who is in possession of a Modified Crossbow Permit.
• with an arrow with an explosive head or shaft.
• with any device designed or intended to deliver drugs to an animal.
• with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, EXCEPT the following semi-automatic firearms:
  1. firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or
  2. firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or
  3. autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than eight inches.

• with a crossbow if you are under the age of 14 years old.

Decoys are legal to use for deer hunting in NY. You should exercise caution when transporting a deer decoy to and from the locations in the field. Some hunters wrap a strip of blaze orange material around the decoy when carrying it.

Electronic calls are legal to use for deer hunting and furbearer hunting in NY. You may not use an electronic call for turkeys, ducks, or geese.

It is illegal to hunt deer or bear with the aid of any artificial light including laser sights. A small flashlight utilized to navigate to and from your hunting location is permitted as long as you are not using the light to locate or hunt any big game.

It is illegal to hunt with the aid of bait, or over any baited area when hunting big game, upland game birds, turkey or waterfowl. It is illegal to place a salt block or mineral lick on lands inhabited by deer at any time of year. It is also illegal to feed deer. Some attractants that are marketed for deer are liquids or dissolving powders which deer may not directly consume, but the attractants may entice deer to feed on the material which absorbed the attractant. These types of products would not be legal.

You may use cover scents and lures for deer hunting. However, hunters should use synthetic products, as natural deer urine products could contain CWD prions. While bear hunting, you may use up to 1.5 fluid ounces of a liquid scent/lure.

You may use lights to observe deer and bear under the following conditions:

• You are not within 500 feet of a home or farm building, unless you have permission from the owner or lessee.
• While in or on a motor vehicle and operating a light and no person has a firearm or bow unless:
  • the firearm is taken down or the bow is unstrung, or
  • the firearm is securely fastened in a case, or
  • the firearm is locked in the trunk of the vehicle, or
  • the firearm is a handgun.
• For information on hunting furbearers at night, see the Small Game and Furbearer Regulations.

You may use lights to observe deer and bear under the following conditions:

• You are not within 500 feet of a home or farm building, unless you have permission from the owner or lessee.
• While in or on a motor vehicle and operating a light and no person has a firearm or bow unless:
  • the firearm is taken down or the bow is unstrung, or
  • the firearm is securely fastened in a case, or
  • the firearm is locked in the trunk of the vehicle, or
  • the firearm is a handgun.
• For information on hunting furbearers at night, see the Small Game and Furbearer Regulations.