It is illegal to hunt big game using:
• A fully automatic firearm
• A firearm or bow aided by any artificial light or a laser that projects a beam toward the target
• Any firearm equipped with a silencer
• An autoloading firearm with a capacity of more than 6 shells (one which requires that the trigger be pulled separately for each shot), except an autoloading pistol with a barrel length of less than 8”
• A firearm using rimfire ammunition
• A shotgun of less than 20 gauge or any shotgun loaded with shells other than those carrying a single projectile
• A bow with a draw weight less than 35 pounds or a crossbow with a draw weight less than 100 pounds
• Dogs
• Aircraft of any kind
• Bait or salt licks
• An air gun or air bow
• Traps or snares
• Arrowheads less than 7/8” at the widest point or with less than 2 sharp cutting edges
• Arrows with barbed broadheads (see picture). A barbed broadhead is one in which the angle formed between the trailing or rear edge of any blade and the shaft is less than 90 degrees. A notch at the base of the blade extending no more than 2 millimeters from the shaft is not considered a barb. Broadheads with mechanical blades are legal if the blades freely swing into a non-barbed position without external force beyond gravity upon withdrawal of the arrow.
• Big game hunters are permitted to carry a .22 caliber rim-fire handgun during the regular deer season or early and regular bear seasons, if they possess a NYS pistol permit. The .22 caliber rim-fire handgun cannot be used as a primary or secondary weapon to take deer or bear. It is illegal to possess a firearm of any kind when bowhunting or when accompanying a person bowhunting during bowhunting seasons.
• It is illegal to harvest deer or bear while the animal is in water.
• It is illegal to sell deer or bear meat. Other than meat, the parts from legally taken and reported deer and bear may be sold only if tagged prior to sale. The tag must be provided by the hunter or the buyer and include the hunter’s license number, date of birth, signature, printed name and the town and county of kill.
• Bear gallbladders and bile cannot be possessed or sold unless the original copy of the bear carcass tag is attached. Taxidermists must also keep records of all bear gallbladders and bile received or sold.
• A legally antlered deer must have at least one antler that is at least three inches in length measured from the base of the burr to the tip of the antler. Special regulations apply in Wildlife Management Units that have mandatory Antler Point Restrictions.
• In the Southern Zone, you may not shoot a cub or a bear that should be known to be a cub, shoot any bear from a group of bears, or shoot or take a bear from its den.
• Resident and nonresident hunters may take one bear by gun or bow each license year. The number of deer a hunter may take depends upon the licenses and privileges purchased. If a licensed hunter has the proper tags, they are permitted to shoot more than one deer in a day.
See Crossbow Hunting for additional information about hunting with a crossbow.
