Small game hunting and furbearer trapping seasons for the 2025–26 license year are now open or will soon begin across New York State, according to an announcement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The opening dates vary by species and zone, with most seasons starting between September 1 and November 1. Details about season dates, bag limits, and regulations are available in the 2025–26 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide.
“Fall is when many new hunters go afield for the first time, and when experienced hunters rediscover New York’s outdoors,” said Jacqueline Lendrum, Director of DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. “These seasons support long-standing conservation programs, which sustain abundant upland game, waterfowl, and furbearer populations, and provide safe, accessible ways to introduce the next generation to hunting. Before heading afield, please review the annual regulations on DEC’s website as there are several exciting and important changes this coming hunting season.”
New York offers waterfowl hunting opportunities across five zones and nine Canada goose subzones. Special Youth Waterfowl Days for junior hunters ages 12–15 are scheduled for September 27–28 in most upstate zones and November 8–9 on Long Island. Active military personnel and veterans have designated days that generally align with youth days in several zones. Hunters should consult the official guide or visit DEC’s migratory game bird seasons page for specific opening dates.
Ruffed grouse season runs from September 20 to February 28 in the Northern Zone and October 1 to February 28 in the Southern Zone north of New York City/Long Island. Hunters in certain northern Wildlife Management Units need to avoid harvesting spruce grouse due to its endangered status in Adirondack lowland conifer forests.
The DEC encourages participation in monitoring programs such as the Grouse Hunting Log and submission of feathers from harvested birds to assist biologists with population tracking efforts. Survey results can be viewed on the Ruffed Grouse Dashboard.
More than 50,000 adult pheasants will be released through DEC’s propagation program this year to supplement upland game bird hunting statewide. Regular pheasant season begins October 1 in Eastern New York. Youth-only pheasant hunt weekends are set for September 27–28 (Northern/Eastern NY), October 11–12 (Western NY), and October 25–26 (Long Island). All release sites provided by DEC are open to public hunting; maps and a full list can be found on DEC’s website.
The HuntFishNY Event page connects prospective hunters with mentored hunts, target shoots, seminars, and other hands-on events designed for all ability levels across New York State.
Squirrel hunting is available statewide from September 1 through February 28 (with later start dates on Long Island/New York City). Cottontail rabbit season starts October 1 upstate and November 1 downstate. Snowshoe hare may be hunted from October 1 through March 15 in the Northern Zone.
Fall turkey hunting has improved this year due to better productivity over recent summers. The fall bag limit is one bird of either sex per hunter statewide; hours run sunrise to sunset with varying season dates by region: Northern Zone (October 1–14), Southern Zone (October 18–31), Long Island (November 15–28).
Director Lendrum emphasized safety: “We want every hunter to return home safely,” she said. “Please follow the basics: treat every firearm as if it’s loaded, be sure of your target and what lies beyond it, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and wear blaze orange or blaze pink when appropriate. These simple precautions save lives.”
Hunting remains one of New York’s safest outdoor activities but following basic firearm safety rules is essential:
– Point your gun in a safe direction.
– Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
– Be sure of your target and beyond.
– Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Blaze orange is required for deer or bear firearm hunts; small game hunters are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or pink as well.
For further information about regulations or maps related to this year’s seasons visit DEC’s website or review their guide.
The department also promotes citizen science initiatives such as Snapshot NY—a trail camera-based wildlife monitoring project developed with Cornell University—which aims at improving wildlife management practices throughout New York State by engaging volunteers who deploy cameras on private or public land after registering online via Snapshot NY’s site.
