Bow season gets company Saturday: New York’s Northern Zone early muzzleloader deer season opens October 17 — overlapping the final week of bow season — and runs through Friday, October 23.
If you’re heading out, here’s the short version of what matters this week.
1. The dates — and how it differs from the regular (rifle/shotgun) season
October 17–23, Northern Zone, deer. Bear’s early muzzleloader window is limited to certain wildlife management units, so check yours. This is the early season — a late muzzleloader season follows December 7–13 in select Northern Zone units. Our big-game season guide covers the regular season in full.
2. You need the muzzleloading privilege
A regular hunting license alone doesn’t cover it. New York requires a muzzleloading privilege — $15 for residents, ages 12 and up — to hunt with a muzzleloader during this season. If you haven’t bought it yet, this is the week to check your license.
3. Orange or pink is the law
Anyone hunting deer with a firearm — muzzleloaders count — must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink above the waist, visible from all directions. A compliant hat or a vest does it. The same goes for anyone accompanying a firearm deer hunter.
4. Report fast — the window shrank
DEC now requires harvest reports within 48 hours for paper-tag users (down from the old seven-day window), and immediately for e-tag users through the HuntFishNY app. Take it, tag it, report it.
5. Know your WMU before you count antlerless
Antlerless opportunities during muzzleloader week depend on your wildlife management unit — and 2026 reshuffled the deck with the new Earn-a-2nd-Buck system and expanded deer management permits. Check DEC’s current WMU map and the DMP status for your unit before you assume. Our big-game guide breaks down the 2026 changes.
If you’re not hunting: the regular rifle/shotgun season follows on October 24 and the woods get busy. Hikers, dog-walkers, and trail riders — bright colors are a good idea through December.
Hunting hours run 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. DEC’s official 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Guide has the full legal text — when in doubt, the guide beats this post.