Recreational Sporting Season Reminders

Upcoming Seasons The reminders listed below include open and final recreational season dates occurring over the next two weeks only (December 2 through December 16). For all season dates and to view more information about hunting and fishing in New York, visit DEC's Outdoor Activities(http://www.dec.ny.gov/62.html) webpage. Saltwater Fishing(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7755.html) December 15 marks the final day for striped bass fishing in the marine and coastal district waters (waters south of the Tappan Zee Bridge).

Deer & Bear Hunting(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7857.html) (view the deer and bear season maps(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html) to identify open hunting zones) In the Northern Zone: · December 4 marks the final day for the deer and bear regular hunting season. · December 5 through December 11 marks the open season for deer muzzleloader hunting in the following Wildlife Management Units(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html) only: 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6H, 6G. In the Southern Zone: · December 11 marks the final day for regular firearm deer and bear hunting. The regular bowhunting season for Westchester County remains open through December 31. · December 12 through December 20 marks the open season for deer and bear bowhunting and muzzleloader hunting. For the deer muzzleloader season, the following Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) will not be open: 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.

Waterfowl Hunting(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28888.html) (view the following maps to identify waterfowl hunting zones (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28497.html) and Canada goose hunting areas(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28496.html) that are described below) For Canada Goose: · December 3 marks the final day for hunting in the Lake Champlain Goose Hunting Area for the 2011 season. · December 5 marks the final day for hunting in the Northeast Goose Hunting Area for the season. · December 5 to January 29 marks the open season for hunting in the Eastern Long Island Goose Hunting Area. · December 11 marks the final day of the first split season in the South Goose Hunting Area. The season will re-open on December 26. · December 12 marks the final day for hunting in the East Central Goose Hunting Area for the 2011 season. For Duck, Coot, Merganser: · December 5 marks the final day of the first split season for hunting in the Western Waterfowl Zone. The second split season will reopen on December 26. · December 5 to January 29 marks the open season in the Long Island Waterfowl Zone. · December 10 marks the final day for hunting in the Northeast Waterfowl Zone for the 2011 season. For Snow Goose: · December 10 marks the final day of the first split season for hunting in the Western Waterfowl Zone. The season will reopen on December 26. For Brant: · December 15 to January 29 marks the open season of the last split season for hunting in the Long Island Waterfowl Zone. Furbearer Trapping(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/355.html) · December 10 marks the final day for fisher and marten trapping(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30442.html) in all open areas of the state, and also marks the final day for bobcat trapping(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29045.html) in northern areas of the State. · On December 10, body-gripping traps used on land may no longer be set with lure or bait for all raccoon, fox, skunk, coyote, opossum, and weasel trapping(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30507.html) in northern areas of the State. The season remains open through February 15. · December 15 to February 25 marks the open season for mink and muskrat trapping(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30510.html) for Long Island. Small Game(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27801.html) and Furbearer(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45559.html) Hunting · December 10 marks the final day for bobcat hunting(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29475.html) in Wildlife Management Unit 6N(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9336.html#WMU6N) only. · December 12 to February 29 marks the open season for varying hare hunting(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29451.html) in southeastern areas of the state.