New York

Centerfire rifles of .22 caliber (5.56mm) or larger firing expanding bullets are legal in upstate New York rifle counties (Adirondacks, Catskills, Western NY). Holding capacity must not exceed 5 rounds in magazine and chamber combined for semiautomatics. Semiautomatic rifles require a New York State Semiautomatic Rifle License. Suppressors prohibited.

10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing single slugs or sabots are legal for deer in designated shotgun-only counties (such as Long Island, Westchester, and suburban Hudson Valley). Buckshot is prohibited for deer hunting statewide. Non-toxic shot required for all waterfowl on Lake Champlain and Finger Lakes.

Minimum .44 caliber single-barrel muzzleloaders firing a single projectile. Modern in-line muzzleloaders with 209 ignitions and magnifying scopes are fully legal during the early Northern Zone muzzleloader and late Southern Zone muzzleloader seasons. Black powder or commercial synthetic powders only.

Compound, recurve, and longbows with minimum 35 lb draw weight. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Fixed and mechanical broadheads legal. The Southern Zone archery season runs from October 1 through mid-November, plus a late December bow/muzzleloader portion.

Permitted during the regular firearms season, muzzleloader season, and the final 14 days of the Southern Zone archery season (plus final 10 days of Northern Zone archery). Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 100 lbs, minimum overall length of 24 inches, a working safety, and shoot bolts with legal hunting broadheads.

Centerfire handguns .24 caliber or larger firing expanding bullets with minimum barrel length of 4 inches are legal for deer. A valid New York State Pistol License is legally mandatory for handguns. .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum popular in Adirondack and Catskill big woods.