Get Ready For Small Game Hunting In New York This Fall

The season is here for New York State small game hunters. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced on September 24th (2025) that small game hunting and furbearer trapping seasons for the 2025 - 2026 license year are either open or will open soon.

Depending on the species and zone, most small game and furbearer seasons open between September 1st and November 1st. The NYS DEC has complete information in their 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. 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. - Jacqueline Lendrum, NYTS DEC Director of Fish and Wildlife

 

Hunting Seasons in New York State

Ruffed Grouse Hunting

Ruffed grouse season began on September 20th and ends on February 28, 2026, in New York State's Northern Zone and on October 1st through February 28th, 2026, in the Southern Zone north of New York City/Long Island.

Pheasant Hunting

The regular pheasant season will kick off on October 1st in Eastern New York. Youth-only pheasant hunt weekends will occur in the following weekends - September 27th and 28th in Northern and Eastern New York State, October 11th and 12th in Western New York, and October 25th and 26th on Long Island.

Squirrel, Rabbit, and Hare

• Gray, black, and fox squirrel season for areas in New York State outside of New York City and Long Island began on September 1st, ending on February 28, 2026.
• Cottontail rabbit season will kick off on October 1st in all areas of Upstate New York.
• Snowshoe hare season will also begin on October 1st, through March 15, 2026, in the Northern Zone.

Wild Turkey

The bag limit is one bird of either sex, and hunting hours are sunrise to sunset. Fall 2025 season dates for the Northern Zone are October 1st through the 14th, and October 18th through the 31st for the Southern Zone of New York State.

For bag limits, hunting hours, and maps of New York State zones, visit the  Small Game Season website. The NYS DEC encourages hunter safety. Visit their website for a safe hunting season.

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