Early bowhunting deer season opens this weekend in St. Lawrence County, part of a series of early deer and bear seasons that began Sept. 12 with dates and rules varying by Wildlife Management Unit.

Bowhunting deer season in St. Lawrence County began Sept. 27. The Northern Zone bear season, which began Sept. 19, runs through Dec. 6. 

If you need assistance locating game, trackers and their dogs can help you locate the animal. See story here.

Only antlerless deer, those without antlers or with antlers less than 3 inches long, may be taken during the early antlerless season. Hunters must use Deer Management Permits or Deer Management Assistance Program tags.

Unlimited Deer Management Permits are available in all units with an early antlerless season. Hunters who report an antlerless deer taken with a permit can receive a bonus permit for the same unit.

Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer will also receive a second antlered deer tag for the 2026-27 season through the state's Earn-a-2nd-Buck program.

The early bear season runs Sept. 12-27 in 11 Southern Zone Wildlife Management Units: 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R and 4W.

The early antlerless deer season ran Sept. 12-20 in 23 Southern Zone units: 1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7J, 7H, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F and 9G.

Firearms, crossbows and vertical bows were allowed during the early antlerless season in units 3M, 3P, 3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F and 9G. Only crossbows and vertical bows were allowed in units 1C, 3S, 4J and 8C.

Firearms, crossbows and vertical bows may be used during the early bear season in participating units. Rifles are prohibited in Rockland County, which includes most of WMU 3R, during all hunting seasons.

Hunters using firearms, including muzzleloaders, must wear a solid or patterned fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat, vest or jacket.

Legal hunting hours for deer and bear run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.