Message from the Commissioner

Over the past two years, New Yorkers took extraordinary steps to overcome the challenges driven by the pandemic. One way many of us coped with these challenges was to turn to nature and outdoor recreation, including hunting and trapping.

DEC saw more people taking hunter education courses and buying sporting licenses in 2020 and 2021 than in 2019, and with the State’s adoption of a law allowing most 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow, we have more new hunters afield than we’ve seen in many years while setting new records for hunter safety.

As always, DEC wants our current and future hunters and trappers to be confident and knowledgeable to promote success and safety afield. Our 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide contains all the information you need to guide you through the upcoming seasons.

A growing segment of New Yorkers are getting involved in hunting and trapping but may not come from a family with a long tradition of engaging in these activities. DEC and many other organizations like the National Deer Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Wild Harvest Table program are helping new hunters gain the skills they need to make hunting and trapping a lifelong pursuit. We also encourage long-time hunters to help us by sharing their expertise by taking someone new afield this fall.

DEC staff dedicated to managing and protecting our wildlife resources are available to answer any questions you may have. By following our New York State regulations and hunter safety requirements, we can continue to sustainably manage our natural resources and provide quality recreational opportunities for all hunters and trappers.

Good luck and be safe this season.

Basil Seggos

Commissioner

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation