March 18, 2026
By Rich Davenport
On March 18, 2026, NYSDEC announced several proposed changes to NYS Big Game Hunting regulations, wit an eye on strengthening antlerless deer management, in response to the ever-growing population of whitetail deer across NYS.
“Deer populations are growing throughout much of New York State,” DEC Commissioner Lefton said. “Increased harvest of antlerless deer by hunters is necessary to keep deer populations healthy, in balance with available habitat, and at levels that are acceptable to all members of the public,” according to the DEC announcement.
Based on recent analysis of the DMP program harvest data and preliminary 2025 season harvest estimates, less than 15% of licensed hunters in NYS harvested one antlerless deer, with less than 3% of hunters filling two antlerless tags. Despite the very liberal harvest rules for antlerless deer, higher DMP issuance, and the ability to consign DMP from one hunter to another, hunters remain reluctant to help address this challenge in reducing the breeding potential across the landscape.
Several years ago, as part of the 10-year deer management plan, DEC implemented an early antlerless only season in mid-September in specific WMUs showing chronic overpopulation problems. Success of this management season in limited WMUs remains to be seen, as factors such as warm temperatures and the lack of commercial deer processors willing to start offering processing services during the peak butchering of other livestock, may be in big part to blame for the hunters’ lukewarm embrace of this opportunity. Hunters must use a DMP to legally harvest and possess antlerless deer during this season, with many hunters now conditioned to wait later before purchasing a hunting license and applying for DMP. Application deadline for DMP is October 1.
In response, DEC has evaluated regulatory and non-regulatory actions to strengthen and improve this important part of deer management, in consultation with other wildlife biologists in neighboring states, results of focus group efforts and statewide surveys of deer hunters. From these efforts, the following proposals have been put forth:
Modifying the DMP Process to increase permit availability. Some WMUs have no DMP quota, resulting in unlimited tags available. To address this, DEC is proposing to allow hunters to apply for two DMP in unlimited WMUs, and two DMP in WMUs with quotas. This increases the application to potentially four DMP a hunter can apply for. All hunters applying for DMP in no quota areas would receive both permits. Additionally hunters reporting a successful harvest on DMP in the no quota areas would automatically receive addition DMPs to continue to help management efforts in these problem areas, a reward for showing the willingness to help better manage the herd.
This proposal would also expand the no quota WMUs, which currently applies to four (4) WMUs across the state, to add 19 WMUs to this list, as management needs have changed. The new “no quota” WMUs would be 3M, 3P, 3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G, in addition to the existing no quota WMUs of 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.
Allow unlimited transfer of DMP between hunters. Under current rules, a hunter may receive only two DMPs from other hunters. This proposed change would allow hunters to receive unlimited consignment of DMP from other hunters.
Expand the 9-day September antlerless only firearms season into more WMUs. Currently, WMUs 1C, 3S, 3M, 3R, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F have a nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September. The proposed regulations would add 10 WMUs (3P, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8H, 8R, 8S, and 9G) to the list of those enrolled in this September season.
Establish an “Earn a 2nd-Buck” System. Under current tag issuance structure, hunters receive one antlered deer tag valid statewide, unless the also secure an archery or muzzleloader license, in which case the hunter also receives a deer of either sex tag, valid during early archery and extended seasons. Hunters who secure both the archery and muzzleloader licenses receive an additional antlerless only tag valid during early archery and extended seasons. The proposed regulation change would require a hunter to successfully harvest and report an antlerless deer before receiving a 2nd antlered deer tag. To facilitate this, the Regular Season antlered deer tag would be converted to simply an Antlered Deer tag, valid throughout all seasons, with proper additional privileges. This would be issued to all hunters purchasing a hunting license.
In addition, the DEC would reclassify the deer of either sex tag that accompanies an archery or muzzleloader license to Bow/ML antlerless deer tag. Those who secure both additional licenses will receive another Bow/ML antlerless only tag.
Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer on any eligible antlerless deer tag (i.e., Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag, DMP, or Deer Management Assistance Program Tag) receive a second Antlered Deer Tag which could be used during all deer seasons with appropriate license privileges.
One additional proposal in this package would be to clarify mechanical broadheads that appear to be “barbed” when deployed, and therefore illegal to use in NYS, to consider the blades that freely swing to a non-barbed position upon withdrawal of the arrow. These would be considered non-barbed, despite their appearance, and would clarify that “freely swings” infers no external force beyond gravity. The goal is to implement these changes starting with the upcoming 2026 deer seasons. Comment period is now open, and will conclude on May 17, 2026. Comments can be to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov (subject: “Antlerless Deer Hunting”) or to: NYSDEC, Attn: Jeremy Hurst, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
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