§ 11-0907. Deer and bear; open hunting seasons; bag limits.

1. a. Wild deer without antlers or having antlers measuring less than
three inches in length shall not be taken unless it is taken (1) by long
bow in a special long bow season established in subdivision 3 of this
section, or (2) by muzzle-loading firearm or crossbow in a special
muzzle-loading firearm season established in subdivision 8 of this
section, or (3) by long bow in Westchester and Suffolk Counties in a
year in which a regular season for deer of either sex is established for
such counties, or (4) in a special open season for deer of either sex
fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision 5 or 7 of section 11-0903 of
this title, or (5) pursuant to a special antlerless deer license in a
special open season for antlerless deer in a tract within a Wilderness
Hunting Area fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision 6 of section
11-0903 of this title, or (6) pursuant to a deer management permit by a
person eligible to take such deer pursuant thereto as provided in
section 11-0913 of this title, or (7) pursuant to a permit issued to an
eligible non-ambulatory person, pursuant to subdivision 2 of section
11-0931 of this title, while in possession of a valid license issued by
the department which authorizes the holder to hunt big game. Nothing in
this subparagraph shall be construed to limit the power of the
department to designate by regulation an area or areas of the state
consisting of a county or part of a county where such season shall apply
and whether the number of such special permits shall be limited.

b. Except in the Northern Zone as defined in subdivision 15 of section
11-0103, bear which the taker knows or should know to be less than one
year old shall not be taken.

* c. The limit for wild deer is one deer per person in a license year
except that (1) a person entitled to exercise the privileges of a
special antlerless deer license may take an antlerless deer while
hunting pursuant to such license in addition to the limit of one deer in
a license year otherwise applicable, (2) a person who is a member of a
hunting group holding a deer management permit or permits issued
pursuant to section 11-0913 of this article may take additional deer
while hunting in accordance with the conditions of the permit or
permits, (3) the holder of a bowhunting privilege or a muzzle-loading
privilege may take up to two additional deer, pursuant to regulations
promulgated by the department, and (4) an eligible non-ambulatory
person, pursuant to subdivision 2 of section 11-0931 of this article may
take a deer of either sex in any wildlife management unit area where
deer management permits have been issued by the department, while in
possession of a valid hunting license. Nothing contained in this section
shall be construed to limit the power of the department to designate by
regulation an area or areas of the state consisting of a county or part
of a county where such season shall apply and whether the number of such
special permits shall be limited.

* NB Effective until December 31, 2027

* c. The limit for wild deer and bear is one deer and one bear per
person in a license year except that (1) a person entitled to exercise
the privileges of a special antlerless deer license may take an
antlerless deer while hunting pursuant to such license in addition to
the limit of one deer in a license year otherwise applicable, (2) a
person who is a member of a hunting group holding a deer management
permit or permits issued pursuant to section 11-0913 of this article may
take additional deer while hunting in accordance with the conditions of
the permit or permits, (3) the holder of a bowhunting privilege or a
muzzle-loading privilege may take up to two additional deer, pursuant to
regulations promulgated by the department, and (4) an eligible
non-ambulatory person, pursuant to subdivision 2 of section 11-0931 of
this article may take a deer of either sex in any wildlife management
unit area where deer management permits have been issued by the
department, while in possession of a valid hunting license. Nothing
contained in this section shall be construed to limit the power of the
department to designate by regulation an area or areas of the state
consisting of a county or part of a county where such season shall apply
and whether the number of such special permits shall be limited.

* NB Effective December 31, 2027

d. (1) A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing the
holder to hunt deer during a special archery season and the regular open
season and who has taken a deer by longbow in a special archery season
and who has not taken a deer in a regular open season may, in addition
to the limit of one deer in a license year otherwise applicable, take
during the same license year additional deer as specified by department
regulation in a special archery season following the close of the
regular open deer season.

(2) A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing the holder
to hunt deer during a special archery season and the regular open season
and who has taken a deer by longbow in the regular open season for deer
in Westchester or Suffolk counties may, in addition to the limit of one
deer in a license year otherwise applicable, take during the same
license year additional deer as specified by department regulation
during such Westchester or Suffolk county regular open deer season.

e. A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing the holder
to hunt deer during a special muzzle-loading season and the regular open
season and who has taken a deer by muzzle-loading firearm in a
muzzle-loading season and who has not taken a deer in a regular open
season may, in addition to the limit of one deer in a license year
otherwise applicable, take during the same year additional deer as
specified by department regulation in a special muzzle-loading season
following the close of the regular deer season.

2. Regular seasons. * a. Regular open hunting seasons for deer are
established separately for the named regions or parts of regions, or
named counties listed in column one of the table set forth in this
subdivision, and are specified as seasons for taking by pistol, rifle,
shotgun or long bow, or for taking by shotgun, crossbow or long bow
only, or for taking by long bow only, as indicated in column three
entitled "Manner of Taking". Where taking of big game by shotgun is
permitted by this chapter such shotgun may contain rifling in all or a
portion of the barrel, provided, however, if the barrel or a portion
thereof does contain rifling only shells having non-metallic cases,
except for the base, may be used. In the areas identified in column one
except in the "closed areas" specified in subdivision five of this
section the game specified in column two may be taken in the open season
stated in column two immediately following the specification of the
game, in the manner specified in column three.

TABLE

Column One Column Two Column Three

Area Game and Open Season Manner of Taking
(a) Northern Zone Deer, next to last Pistol, rifle,

Saturday in October shotgun, crossbow

through first Sunday or long bow

in December
(b) Catskill region Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,

except Delaware, after November 15 shotgun, crossbow

Greene, Sullivan, through first Tuesday or long bow

Ulster counties after December 7

and those counties

or portions thereof

listed in item (i)

of this paragraph
(c) Counties of Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,

Delaware, Greene, after November 15 shotgun, crossbow

Sullivan and Ulster through first Tuesday or long bow

after December 7
** (d) Eastern region, Deer, first Monday Pistol, shotgun,

except Albany, after November 15 crossbow,

Columbia, Fulton, through first Tuesday muzzle loading

Orange, Rensselaer, after December 7 firearm or

Saratoga, Schenectady, long bow only

Washington Counties

and those counties

or portions thereof

listed in item (i)

of this paragraph
** NB Effective until October 1, 2026
** (d) Eastern region, Deer, first Monday Pistol, shotgun,

except Columbia, after November 15 crossbow,

Fulton, Orange, through first Tuesday muzzle loading

Rensselaer, Saratoga, after December 7 firearm or

Schenectady, long bow only

Washington Counties

and those counties

or portions thereof

listed in item (i)

of this paragraph
** NB Effective October 1, 2026
(e) Fulton, Saratoga, Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,

Schenectady, after November 15 shotgun, crossbow

Washington (parts through first Tuesday or long bow

in the Southern after December 7

zone), Columbia,

Orange, and

Rensselaer

counties
** (f) Southern tier, Deer, first Pistol, shotgun,

central and Western Monday after November crossbow,

region, except those 15 through first muzzle loading

counties or portions Tuesday after firearm or

thereof listed in December 7 long bow only

item (i), (j), (k),

(l), (m), (n), (o),

(p) or (q) of this

paragraph
** NB Effective until October 1, 2026
** (f) Southern tier, Deer, first Pistol, shotgun,

central and Western Monday after November crossbow,

region, except those 15 through first muzzle loading

counties or portions Tuesday after firearm or

thereof listed in December 7 long bow only

item (i), (j), (k),

(l), (m) or (n),

or (p) of this

paragraph
** NB Effective October 1, 2026 until October 1, 2025
** (f) Southern tier, Deer, first Pistol, shotgun,

central and Western Monday after November crossbow,

region, except those 15 through first muzzle loading

counties or portions Tuesday after firearm or

thereof listed in December 7 long bow only

item (i), (j), (k)

or (l), or (n) of

this paragraph
** NB Effective October 1, 2025
(g) Westchester Deer of either sex, long bow only

County November 1 through

December 31
(h) Suffolk County Deer of either sex long bow only

Second Monday in

November through

March thirty-first
(i) The counties of Deer, the first Monday Pistol, shotgun,

Allegany, Cattaraugus, after November 15 crossbow,

Cayuga, Chautauqua through first Tuesday muzzle loading

except that portion after December 7 firearm, rifle or

of the county north long bow only

of route 20, Chemung,

Chenango, Herkimer,

Madison,

Montgomery, Oneida,

Oswego, Otsego,

Schoharie, Schuyler,

Steuben, Tioga,

Wyoming, Seneca

and Yates

and that portion of

the county of

Broome east of the

Susquehanna river
(j) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,

Genesee after November 15 crossbow, muzzle

through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow
(k) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Ontario Saturday after November crossbow,

15 through first Sunday muzzle loading

after December 7 firearm, rifle or

long bow only
(l) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Wayne Saturday after November crossbow,

15 through first Sunday muzzle loading

after December 7 firearm, rifle

or long bow only
** (m) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Albany Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle

15 through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow

only
** NB There are 2 item (m)'s
** NB Repealed October 1, 2026
** (m) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,

Livingston after November 15 crossbow, muzzle

through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow
** NB There are 2 item (m)'s
** (n) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Broome west of the Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle
Susquehanna river 15 through first Sunday loading firearm,
except within the after December 7 rifle or long bow
city of Binghamton
** NB There are 2 item (n)'s
** (n) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,
Orleans after November 15 crossbow, muzzle

through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow
** NB There are 2 item (n)'s
** (o) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Tompkins Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle

15 through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow
** Repealed October 1, 2026
** (p) The county of Deer, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Onondaga Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle

15 through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow
** Repealed October 1, 2025
** (q) The county of Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,
Niagara except after November 15 crossbow, muzzle
within the city of through first Sunday loading firearm,
Niagara Falls, the after December 7 rifle or long bow
city of Lockport
and the city of
North Tonawanda

** NB Repealed October 1, 2026

* NB Effective until December 31, 2027

* a. Regular open hunting seasons for big game are established
separately for the named regions or parts of regions, or named counties
listed in column one of the table set forth in this subdivision, and are
specified as seasons for taking by pistol, rifle, shotgun or long bow,
or for taking by shotgun or long bow only, or for taking by long bow
only, as indicated in column three entitled "Manner of Taking". Where
taking of big game by shotgun is permitted by this chapter such shotgun
may contain rifling in all or a portion of the barrel, provided,
however, if the barrel or a portion thereof does contain rifling only
shells having non-metallic cases, except for the base, may be used. In
the areas identified in column one except in the "closed areas"
specified in subdivision 5 the game specified in column two may be taken
in the open season stated in column two immediately following the
specification of the game, in the manner specified in column three.

TABLE

Column One Column Two Column Three

Area Game and Open Season Manner of Taking
(a) Northern Zone Deer and bear, next Pistol, rifle,

to last Saturday in shotgun,

October through first crossbow

Sunday in December or long bow
(b) Catskill region Deer and bear, first Pistol, rifle,

except Delaware, Monday after shotgun,

Greene, Sullivan, November 15 through crossbow

Ulster counties first Tuesday after or long bow

and those counties December 7

or portions thereof

listed in item (i)

of this paragraph
(c) Counties of Deer, first Monday Pistol, rifle,

Delaware, Greene, after November 15 shotgun,

Sullivan and Ulster through first Tuesday crossbow

after December 7; or long bow

Bear, first Monday

after November 15

through second

Tuesday after

December 7
(d) Eastern region, Deer and bear, Pistol, shotgun,

except Columbia, first Monday after crossbow, muzzle

Fulton, Orange, November 15 through loading firearm

Rensselaer, Saratoga, first Tuesday after or long bow only

Schenectady, December 7

Washington Counties

and those counties

or portions thereof

listed in item (i)

of this paragraph
(e) Fulton, Saratoga, Deer and bear, first Pistol, rifle,

Schenectady, Monday after November shotgun,

Washington (parts 15 through first crossbow

in the Southern Tuesday after or long bow

zone), Columbia, December 7

Orange, and

Rensselaer

counties
(f) Southern tier, Deer and bear, first Pistol, shotgun,

central and Western Monday after November crossbow, muzzle

region, except those 15 through first loading firearm

counties or portions Tuesday after or long bow only

thereof listed in December 7

item (i), (j), (j),

(k), (l) **, (m),**

**(n)** or (o) of this

paragraph
** NB "(m)" expires October 1, 2026
** NB "(n)" expires October 1, 2025
** NB "(o)" expires October 1, 2026
(g) Westchester Deer of either sex, Long bow only

County November 1 through

December 31
(h) Suffolk County Deer of either sex long bow only

Second Monday in

November through

March thirty-first
(i) The counties of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,

Allegany, Cattaraugus, first Monday after crossbow,

Chautauqua except November 15 through muzzle loading

that portion of the first Tuesday after firearm, rifle or

county north of route December 7 long bow only

20, Chenango,

Herkimer, Montgomery,

Oneida, Oswego,

Otsego, Schoharie,

Tioga and Wyoming

and that portion

of the county

of Broome east of the

Susquehanna river
** (j) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,

Ontario first Saturday after crossbow,

November 15 through muzzle loading

first Sunday after firearm, rifle or

December 7 long bow only
** NB There are 2 item (j)'s
** (j) The county of Deer and bear, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Wayne Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle

15 through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow

only
** NB There are 2 item (j)'s
(k) The county of Deer and bear, the first Pistol, shotgun,
Livingston Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle

15 through first Sunday loading firearm,

after December 7 rifle or long bow
** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Broome west of the first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle
Susquehanna river November 15 through loading firearm,
except within the first Sunday after rifle or long
city of Binghamton December 7 bow only
** NB There are 4 item (l)'s
** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
Genesee first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle

November 15 through loading firearm,

first Sunday after rifle or long

December 7 bow only
** NB There are 4 item (l)'s
** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the first Pistol, shotgun,

Seneca Saturday after November crossbow, muzzle

15 through first loading firearm,

Sunday after rifle or long

December 7 bow only
** NB There are 4 item (l)'s
** (l) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,

Orleans first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle

November 15 through loading firearm,

first Sunday after rifle or long

December 7 bow only
** NB There are 4 item (l)'s
** (m) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,

Tompkins first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle

November 15 through loading firearm,

first Sunday after rifle or long

December 7 bow only
** NB Repealed October 1, 2026
** (n) The county of Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,

Onondaga first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle

November 15 through loading firearm,

first Sunday after rifle or long

December 7 bow only
** Repealed October 1, 2025
** (o) The county Deer and bear, the Pistol, shotgun,
of Niagara first Saturday after crossbow, muzzle
except the city November 15 through loading firearm,
of Niagara Falls, first Sunday after rifle or long
the city of Lockport December 7 bow only
and the city of North
Tonawanda
** NB Repealed October 1, 2026
* NB Effective December 31, 2027

* b. Regular open hunting seasons for bear are fixed by regulation
pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903. The implements allowed for
bear hunting will be the same as those allowed for deer hunting as
listed in column three of the table set forth in paragraph a of this
subdivision.

* NB Expires December 31, 2027

3. Special archery seasons.

* a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth in
subdivision 2 of this section, except Westchester and Suffolk Counties
in which a regular open season for taking deer by firearms is
established and effective, a special open season is established for
taking deer of either sex, by the use of a long bow only by holders of a
hunting license with a valid bowhunting privilege.

* NB Effective until December 31, 2027

* a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth in
subdivision 2 of this section, except Westchester and Suffolk Counties
in which a regular open season for taking deer by firearms is
established and effective, a special open season is established for
taking deer of either sex, and bear, by the use of a long bow only by
holders of a hunting license with a valid bowhunting privilege.

* NB Effective December 31, 2027

* b. Such special open deer hunting season for each area shall be from
October 15 through the day immediately preceding the regular open season
for deer stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision 2,
except that in the Northern Zone each special season shall be from
September 27 through the Friday immediately preceding the next to last
Saturday in October, and in the Southern Zone such special season shall
also include the five days following the closing of the regular open
season.

* NB Effective until December 31, 2027

* b. Such special open season for each area shall be from October 15
through the day immediately preceding the regular open season for deer
stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision 2, except
that in the Northern Zone each special season shall be from September 27
through the Friday immediately preceding the next to last Saturday in
October, and in the Southern Zone such special season shall also include
the five days following the closing of the regular open season.

* NB Effective December 31, 2027

* c. A similar special open bear hunting season may be fixed by
regulation pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903.

* NB Expires December 31, 2027

4. a. "Northern Zone" and "Southern Zone" are defined in section
11-0103.

b. "Catskill region" means that part of the Southern Zone consisting
of the counties of Greene, Sullivan, Ulster; those parts of Broome and
Chenango counties easterly of the Susquehanna River from its junction
with the Unadilla River at the Chenango-Otsego County boundary line to a
point where it intersects the New York-Pennsylvania line; that part of
Otsego County south of the main line tracks of the Delaware and Hudson
Railroad Company; and those parts of Delaware and Schoharie counties
lying south and west of a line beginning at the intersection of the main
line tracks of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company with the
Otsego-Schoharie County line to the village of Richmondville, thence
south on Route 10 to its intersection with Route 23 in the village of
Stamford, thence easterly along Route 23 to its intersection with
Schoharie County Route 342 thence easterly along Schoharie County Route
342 to its intersection with Schoharie County Route 3; thence easterly
along Schoharie County Route 3 to the Albany-Schoharie County line.

c. "Eastern region" means that part of the Southern Zone easterly of a
continuous line formed by the Susquehanna river commencing at its
intersection with the New York-Pennsylvania boundary in the town of
Windsor in Broome county to its confluence with the Unadilla river, by
the Unadilla river from its confluence with the Susquehanna river to its
intersection with the Herkimer-Otsego county boundary, by the
Otsego-Herkimer county boundary and by the Oneida-Herkimer county
boundary to the Northern Zone, except (1) the "Catskill region" defined
in paragraph b and (2) Westchester county.

d. "Southern tier, central and western region" means that part of the
Southern Zone lying westerly of the continuous line described in
paragraph c.

5. Closed areas. The following areas are closed to the taking of deer
and bear:

a. In Monroe County, the area bounded and described as follows: On the
west by Route 261 (Manitou Road) beginning at Manitou Beach on Lake
Ontario in the town of Greece and continuing southerly along such road
to its intersection with the Barge Canal, thence easterly along such
canal to East Avenue in the village of Pittsford, thence northeasterly
along East Avenue to Allen Creek in the town of Brighton, thence
northerly along Allen Creek to Irondequoit Creek, thence northerly along
Irondequoit Creek to Irondequoit Bay, thence northerly along the
easterly shore of Irondequoit Bay to Lake Ontario; except that deer of
either sex may be taken during the regular and special deer hunting
seasons provided for in this title by the use of a longbow by holders of
licenses which authorize the holder to hunt deer during a special
archery season and provided further that this exception permitting the
taking of deer by a longbow shall not apply within an area in the town
of Greece bounded and described as follows: On the west by Long Pond
Road beginning at Latta Road and continuing southerly along such road to
its intersection with Maiden Lane, thence easterly along Maiden Lane to
its intersection with Mt. Read Blvd., thence northerly along Mt. Read
Blvd. to its intersection with Latta Road, thence westerly along Latta
Road to its intersection with Long Pond Road at the point of beginning.

b. In Erie County, the area bounded by a continuous line beginning at
the point of confluence of the east branch of the Niagara River and the
Tonawanda Creek, and from said point of beginning easterly along the
south bank of Tonawanda Creek to its intersection with highway 78,
thence southerly along highway 78 to its intersection with Greiner Road,
thence easterly along Greiner Road to its junction with highway 268,
thence southerly along highway 268 to its intersection with highway 5,
thence westerly along highway 5 to its junction with Ransom Road, thence
southerly along Ransom Road to its intersection with highway 33, thence
westerly along highway 33 to its intersection with highway 78, thence
southerly along highway 78 to its intersection with highway 20, thence
southwesterly along highway 20 to its intersection with highway 20-a,
thence westerly along the extension of highway 20-a to Lake Erie, thence
northerly along the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River to the
place of beginning.

c. Nassau County.

d. In Herkimer county, town of Webb, the area bounded by a continuous
line beginning at the intersection of the Judson Road and the
Herkimer-Hamilton county boundary line, thence westerly to the Higby
road, continuing southwesterly to its intersection with the Big Moose
road (Herkimer county highway 1), thence north and westerly along the
Big Moose road to its intersection with the Martin road and easterly
along the Martin road to its end, thence back to the lake shore and back
along and around the shore of Big Moose lake (starting westerly) to the
Herkimer-Hamilton county boundary on the shore and then south along the
boundary line ending at the Judson road, the point of beginning.

e. In Herkimer and Hamilton counties, the area bounded by a continuous
line beginning at the junction of the South Shore Road and Route 28 in
the village of Old Forge and extending northeasterly along Route 28 to
the hamlet of Inlet and thence southwesterly along the South Shore Road
to the point of beginning.

7. Areas restricted to long bow only.

a. The area described in this subdivision is closed to the taking of
deer and bear by firearms, but shall be open for taking deer by the use
of a longbow only by holders of licenses which authorize the holders to
hunt deer during a special archery season as follows: during the special
deer season stated in subdivision 3 of this section and during the
regular season stated in subdivision 2 of this section, deer of either
sex may be taken.

b. This subdivision applies to that area in Albany county east of the
Penn Central West Shore railroad starting at the Schenectady county line
in the town of Guilderland and continuing to its confluence with the
Penn Central Hudson River connecting railroad, thence along such Penn
Central Hudson River connecting railroad until it meets Route 32 in
Feura Bush and northeast on Route 32 to its juncture with Feura Bush
road, then east along Feura Bush road to its juncture with Route 144 in
Glenmont, then south along Route 144 to the Vlaman Kill, then east along
the Vlaman Kill to the Hudson river.

8. Muzzle-loading firearm big game season.

a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth in
subdivision two of this section, except those areas restricted to
special seasons for taking deer by longbow only, special open seasons
may be established by regulation for taking deer and/or bear, by the use
of muzzle-loading firearms, of not less than .44 caliber shooting a
single projectile, or by the use of a crossbow, by the holders of a
hunting license with a valid muzzle-loading privilege.

b. Such special open season for the Southern Zone shall be for the
seven day period immediately preceding the regular open season for deer
stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision two of this
section, except that the department may, by regulation, fix such open
season in the Southern Zone or any portion thereof to be either the
seven days immediately preceding or immediately following the regular
open season for deer, provided, however, that any taking of deer or bear
by the use of a crossbow in a season or special season in which the
muzzle loader is the only firearm permitted shall succeed the regular
open hunting season for deer established pursuant to subdivision two of
of this section.

c. Until December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-seven, such
special season for the Northern Zone or any portion thereof may by
regulation be for up to a fourteen-day period preceding the regular open
season for deer stated in column two of the table set forth in
subdivision 2 of this section or may be for up to a fourteen-day period
following such open season or any combination thereof, provided that a
maximum of sixteen days is not exceeded for any open area. Regulations
establishing such Northern Zone muzzle-loading firearm big game season
may specify the taking of deer of either sex, antlerless deer only,
legal bucks only, or any combination thereof, and may require that
persons participating in the Northern Zone muzzle-loading firearm big
game season obtain a special permit from the department. When
establishing these regulations, the department must consider the
condition of the herd and communities', property owners', hunters' and
other relevant interests.

9. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, big
game may be taken on any day of the week during open season or a special
season in those parts of New York state east of a line starting at the
juncture of the shore of Lake Ontario and West Bay road; then southerly
along West Bay road to Route 104A; then easterly along Route 104A to
Route 38; then southerly along Route 38 to the New York State Thruway
Interstate 90 at Port Byron; then southwesterly along Interstate 90 to
Route 90 near Montezuma; then southerly along Route 90 to Route 20; then
westerly along Route 20 to the east bank of Seneca River; then southerly
along the east bank of Seneca River to the east shore of Cayuga Lake;
then southerly along the east shore of Cayuga Lake to Cayuga Creek; then
southerly along the east bank of Cayuga Creek to Route 96 in Ithaca;
then southerly along Route 96 to Sabin Road in Spencer; then southerly
and westerly along Sabin Road to Dean Creek Road; then southwesterly
along Dean Creek Road to Route 34; then southerly along Route 34 to the
Pennsylvania boundary.

10. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, or any prior
notwithstanding language in this article, the department may, by
regulation, authorize the taking of big game by the use of a crossbow by
any licensed person in any big game season in any area designated in
items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (k) and (l) of paragraph a of
subdivision two of this section in which a shotgun or muzzle loader is
permitted provided however, that any crossbow use during an archery-only
season shall only take place during the last fourteen consecutive days
of such archery-only season in the southern zone provided that such
archery-only season shall consist of not less than forty-five days and
only during the last ten consecutive days of any archery-only season in
the northern zone provided that such archery-only season shall consist
of no less than twenty-three days. Any muzzle loading season which
occurs at the same time as a special archery season may only occur
during times when crossbows are authorized to be used.