New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton recently announced several changes to deer hunting regulations to increase harvest of antlerless (primarily female) deer and improve DEC’s ability to manage abundant deer populations.
“Deer populations are growing across much of New York and, in many areas, are increasing to levels that are detrimental to deer, their habitat, and the public,” Commissioner Lefton said. “These regulatory changes are a result of robust public engagement and reflect DEC’s continued commitment to conservation.”
DEC is adopting several changes to increase opportunity for hunters to access and utilize Deer Management Permits (DMPs, antlerless deer tags) where most needed, including:
- Adding 10 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs; 3P, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8H, 8R, 8S, and 9G) to the nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September.
- Designating 23 WMUs as having no DMP quota. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a DMP in a WMU with no DMP quota would be eligible to have the DMP automatically replaced. For 2026, WMUs 1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G will have no DMP quota.
- Modifying the DMP application process by allowing hunters to apply for up to 4 DMPs: 2 in WMUs with a quota and 2 DMPs in WMUs with no quota.
- Allowing unlimited transfer of DMPs between hunters.
DEC is creating an incentive for hunters to harvest antlerless deer by establishing a statewide Earn-a-2nd-Buck System. Under the new system, all hunters will receive a first Antlered Deer Tag which can be used during any season (with appropriate privileges) except the September antlerless season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a DMP, Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag, or Deer Management Assistance Program Tag will be eligible to receive a second Antlered Deer Tag, which can also be used during those same seasons…