Hunting in New York: 13 Animals to Hunt in the Winter

Most hunting seasons in New York are in the fall, but outside of the deer and black bear, many of the seasons stretch into and through the winter. Of course, no matter what animal you are hunting, you have to have a permit and should pay close attention to the bag limits and special regulations, which can all be found on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website. Here is a look at the animals that are eligible for hunting in New York in the winter.

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1. Bobcats

Bobcats are a species that needs careful attention to detail on when and where the season takes place. In much of the southern part of New York, bobcat hunting is only allowed in the fall. There are also areas, including Long Island, where it is not allowed at all. However, in the eastern portion of New York, bobcat hunting season goes through the middle of February. There are no bag limits, and hunting can take place any time of the day or night, but all bobcats must be tagged and sealed when taken.

2. Coyotes

Hunting season for coyotes starts at the start of October and goes until the end of March. Much like bobcats, these can be hunted any time, day or night. These furbearers can be bought and sold with or without the pelt attached to the carcass.

3. Weasels, Opossums, Raccoons, Skunks, and Foxes

The hunting season for these species are all batched together, with the season starting at the end of October and stretching through the middle of February.

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4. Cottontail Rabbits

Cottontail rabbit season starts in late fall, and goes through March in the northern zone and February in the southern zone and Long Island. There has been a major reduction in the New England Cottontail, so hunters in New York are being asked to submit the heads of taken cottontails so the DEC can monitor the species.

5. Gray, Black, and Fox Squirrels

Squirrel hunting season stretches through the end of February. There is a daily six bag limit when squirrel hunting in New York. While most hunting is only allowed in season, the taking of red squirrels is legal at any time of the year, without limit.

6. Pheasant

In the eastern and southern portions of New York, pheasant hunting starts in October and ends in February. This includes the hunting of cocks and hens. Other areas of New York and Long Island only allow pheasant hunting through the end of the year, although the laws differ on the taking of hens.

7. Bobwhite Quail

While there is no bobwhite quail hunting allowed in the main New York area in the winter, the hunting season on Long Island stretches all the way from the first of November to the very last day of December, giving winter hunters in New York a week to take quail.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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