UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the opening of the regular firearms season for deer and bear hunting on Saturday, Nov. 15, continuing through Dec. 7.
DEC is urging hunters in southern Herkimer County and northern Otsego County to test deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease in deer.
The department continues to monitor the area after an isolated CWD detection in a captive deer facility in October 2024.
Click on the linked stories below for more about CWD.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public help in monitoring Chronic Wasting Disease during this year’s hunting season.
A case of Chronic Wasting Disease was discovered at a farm on Hayner Road in the Town of Columbia.
The New York State Agriculture and Markets, along with the Department of Environmental Conservation, is actively addressing a case of chronic wasting disease at a farm on Hayner Road in the Town of Columbia.
“DEC is also requesting that successful deer hunters in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, or Winfield in Herkimer County, and the town of Richfield in Otsego County submit the deer’s head for CWD testing at one of eight drop-off locations,” according to the State organization.
DEC also reminds hunters to prioritize safety, especially when using tree stands, and to wear fluorescent clothing.
Hunters should follow firearm safety rules and report their harvests.
“All New York hunters who take a deer, bear, or turkey are required to report their harvest. New for 2025, paper tag users must now report within 48 hours of the harvest, reduced from the previous 7-day reporting window. Electronic tag users will fulfill their harvest reporting as part of the E-tagging process that is required immediately upon harvest,” NYSDEC reminds.
A new law has been enacted to update New York’s hunting regulations, permitting hunters to carry their licenses, tags and privileges in a secure electronic format.
The DEC encourages hunters to donate venison to help those in need, partnering with Feeding New York State to facilitate donations.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is urging hunters to prioritize safety and share the woods respectfully this hunting season.
Click here for more about the hunting seasons in New York State.