New York opens Southern Zone early bowhunting season

The Southern Zone early bowhunting season for deer and black bear has opened in New York. The season runs from October 1 through November 20, 2026, preceding the regular firearms season that begins on November 21.

A notable regulatory update allows hunters to use crossbows during these seasons, provided they meet state licensing and education requirements. This change, which took effect in 2025, has seen significant adoption; of the deer harvested during the 2025 bow season, approximately 55% were taken using crossbows.

In 2025, the DEC estimated a statewide harvest of 227,032 deer, with 49,160 occurring during the bow season. In Chautauqua County specifically, an estimated 10,120 deer were harvested last year.