Special Big Game Hunting Opportunity for Youth Aged 12 to 15
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar reminded youth hunters and their adult mentors that a special youth firearms big game hunt will occur Oct. 12 – 14. Both resident and non-resident youth hunters aged 12 to 15 may participate. However, hunters aged 12 to 13 may only participate in counties that have passed a local law allowing 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with a firearm. Refer to this map of participating counties. The youth firearms big game hunt occurs in all other areas of New York, except in Wildlife Management Units where only bowhunting is allowed (WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C) or where big game hunting is prohibited (WMUs 1A, 2A, and 9C).
“The Youth Big Game Hunt provides an opportunity for youth hunters to become familiar with big game hunting under the supervision of a knowledgeable and experienced adult mentor,” said Interim Commissioner Mahar. “By participating in this special hunt, youth hunters are able to experience all of the benefits of big game hunting, which in turn can spark a lifelong passion for hunting and conservation, helping to grow the next generation of environmental stewards."
To participate, youth hunters must complete a course in hunter education and purchase a New York State hunting license. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an adult mentor who is 21 years old or older. The supervising adult mentor must have at least three years of experience hunting big game with a firearm, a New York State hunting license, and be able to maintain physical control over the youth hunter at all times while hunting. A Mentored Youth Hunter Permission Form needs to be completed and carried in the field whenever a youth hunter is mentored by an adult hunter who is not their parent.
Youth hunters and adult mentors must wear fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink visible from all directions and, in accordance with State law, remain at ground level while hunting big game with a firearm. Treestands or elevated blinds may not be used.
During the youth firearms big game hunt, youth hunters may harvest one deer and one bear if the youth hunter is 14 or 15 years old, or one deer if the youth hunter is 12 or 13 years old. For deer, a Deer Management Permit (antlerless deer only), Deer Management Assistance Program tag (antlerless deer only), or regular season deer tag can be used. During the youth firearms big game hunt, youth hunters may use the regular season tag for a deer of either sex. Additionally, in WMUs with mandatory antler-point restrictions, youth hunters are exempt from the restrictions.
Hunting is safe and it’s getting safer thanks to the efforts of DEC’s Hunter Education program, volunteer instructors, and the vigilance of hunters. The last few years have been the safest on record with 2021 and 2022 having the fewest number of hunting-related shooting incidents, and 2019 and 2023 tying for second.
Successful hunters are reminded they must report their harvest and can do so online, via the free HuntFishNY mobile app, or by calling 1-866-426-3778. Additional information about hunting seasons and regulations can be found in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.
The Youth Big Game Hunt continues to be safe because young hunters recall, and their mentors reinforce, what they learned in DEC’s Hunter Education Course:
(1) Point your gun in a safe direction;
(2) Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
(3) Be sure of your target and beyond; and
(4) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
The Youth Big Game Hunt is another great way for New Yorkers to “Get Offline, Get Outside,” an initiative launched by Governor Kathy Hochul this summer to promote physical and mental health by encouraging kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and the outdoors. DEC encourages New Yorkers to share their photos and stories with us. Visit DEC’s hunting and trapping photo gallery webpage to learn how.
