The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has adopted new hunting regulations aimed at increasing the harvest of antlerless deer as wildlife officials seek to slow population growth in many parts of the state.
The changes, announced by DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, include a new statewide “Earn-a-2nd-Buck” program that allows hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer to qualify for a second antlered deer tag during the same season.
The regulations also expand the September antlerless season to 10 additional Wildlife Management Units, eliminate Deer Management Permit quotas in 23 units, allow hunters to apply for up to four antlerless permits depending on the management unit, and permit unlimited transfers of Deer Management Permits between hunters.
DEC officials said the changes are intended to increase the harvest of female deer, which play the largest role in population growth. In many regions, deer populations have reached levels that damage forests, agricultural lands and habitat, while increasing the risk of vehicle collisions.
The regulations follow public outreach that included hunter surveys, focus groups and more than 1,000 public comments. While many respondents supported increasing antlerless harvests, others expressed concern about the potential for overharvest. DEC said it will closely monitor harvest data and require hunters participating in the Earn-a-2nd-Buck program to verify antlerless harvests if requested.
The new regulations take effect with the 2026 hunting season. They are separate from pending legislation that would authorize DEC to issue Deer Management Permits in Northern Zone Wildlife Management Units, where no permits will be issued this year.
