Go vertical, go safe: New York’s archery season is here
There is something special about the first morning of deer season. The alarm goes off long before daylight. Coffee tastes a little better. The woods are dark and quiet, and for a few minutes you can hear every footstep, every branch snapping and every distant owl as you make your way to your favorite hunting spot. For thousands of New York hunters, Thursday, Oct. 1, marks the opening of the Southern Zone early bowhunting season for deer and black bear. The 2026 early bow season runs through Friday, Nov. 20, ending with the regular Southern Zone firearms season beginning Saturday, ...