Among the 600,000 licensed hunters in New York State, some will be stepping into the woods for the first time, while others will be continuing a long-cherished tradition. It’s a day to reconnect with nature, family, and friends, united in the pursuit of white-tailed deer and the elusive black bear.

Across Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, hunters will take to the forests, fields, and hills that make this part of Western New York such a cherished hunting destination. From private hunting camps, rustic and not-so-rustic cabins where lifelong friends gather each fall, to the extensive state forest lands open to public hunting, big game harvest opportunities abound. Big-bodied deer are common here, and local hunters often share stories of trophy bucks and full freezers by season’s end. The regular firearms season for the Southern Tier will end on Sunday, December 7. Each hunting day begins 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset.

One thing for every hunter to keep in mind is staying safe in the woods. Safety is the foundation of every successful hunt. During travel and at camp, treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. When hunting, be sure of your target and what’s beyond it. Never take a shot unless you’re certain it’s safe and legal. Wear a blaze orange or pink exterior vest, jacket, or hat. It’s not just smart; in New York, it’s required (250 square inches above the waist) for hunting during the firearm season. Communicate with your hunting party. Know each other’s locations and always have a plan for check-ins. Carry essentials. A map, compass or GPS, flashlight, first aid kit, knife, and a fully charged phone can make all the difference.

The thrill of the hunt culminates in that first shot — and what comes after. For new hunters, the most exhilarating moment often comes right before the shot. Staying calm and ensuring a clean, ethical harvest is key. Once your deer (or bear) is down, field-dress it promptly to cool the meat, this prevents spoilage. Check in with your hunting buddies for help, but every hunter should carry a sharp knife to start the field-dressing process by removing the entrails and allowing the body cavity to cool.

Deer visibility for hunters to see deer with snow on the ground for opening day in Western New York will yield higher hunter harvest. The season opens on Saturday and runs to December 7. Photo by Forrest Fisher

All big game harvests must be physically tagged (the old-fashioned way) or reported electronically to DEC immediately, as the new law requires. Whether you use old-fashioned paper tags in a plastic bag or new invisible e-tags, all harvests must be reported within 48 hours of downing the game – that’s a new requirement for 2025-26. Call them in (1-866-GAME-RPT) and write down the harvest confirmation number, or download and use the NYSDEC HuntFishNY mobile app to do this most easily (visit https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/huntfishny-mobile-app). If this new law scares you a bit, just reread the rules and get it done; it’s not difficult. In short, the new law says, if you e-tag the harvest, you do not need to attach anything to the carcass while it is in your possession, including in your vehicle on the way home.

But, if the carcass is not in your possession, for example, dropped off to a deer processor, you must attach a paper tag to the carcass with your name, hunter identification number (your license number), and the reported harvest confirmation number. For the many who never reported their harvest over the decades of their hunting history, this new law requiring your harvest report number may mean a ticket in the mail if you drop off your deer at a processor without first reporting the harvest. A word to the wise. Following the rules is tough for some. Hunters new to field dressing the carcass should hang out with experienced hunters until they can complete the process themselves.

Local butcher shops and processors across the southern tier counties can take it from there, offering custom cuts, sausage, and jerky — turning your harvest into wholesome, local food. Lastly, if you have taken down more deer than you need, the “Feed New York State Program” and the “Venison Donation Coalition” are always looking for venison donations. Visit https://www.feedingnys.org/hunters or https://venisondonation.com/ for locations that accept deer donations. In Chautauqua County, visit Norton’s Custom Cutting in Kennedy at 716-640-9652; or Sipirek’s Deer Shop in Lakewood at 1369 Shady Side Road (no phone listed). In Cattaraugus County, John’s Deer Processing in the township of Allegany at 716-378-0613. In Allegany County, visit Wilson Beef Farms at 10751 Hess Road, Canaseraga (no phone listed). Transforming a renewable natural resource into nutritious food for those in need is an opportunity for every hunter.

Hunting matters. Hunting in New York is about much more than filling a tag. It’s a heritage activity that connects generations, sustains balanced wildlife management, and provides healthy, locally sourced meat. License fees and taxes on hunting equipment help fund habitat conservation and public land access, benefiting everyone who enjoys the outdoors. Hunting helps control wildlife populations, prevents overgrazing and the spread of disease. Whether it’s your first hunt or your 70th, take time to appreciate the quiet moments in the woods, the camaraderie around camp, and the responsibility that comes with carrying on this great tradition.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoors Calendar Nov. 14-25: Alberto Rey “ATLAS” exposition, Marion Art Gallery, SUNY Fredonia, www.fredonia.edu.

Nov. 14: Final Day of Southern Zone Early Archery Season, and final day of NYS woodcock season.

Nov. 15: NYS Southern Zone Regular (firearms) Southern Zone Big Game hunting season opens, through Dec. 7.

Nov. 18: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 yrs old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

Nov. 18: Erie County Fish Advisory Board, monthly meeting, Bison City Rod & Gun, 511 Ohio St., 7 p.m. start. Open to the public.

Nov. 20: Southtowns Walleye Assoc., monthly meeting, 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, 7 p.m.

Nov. 20: Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishing International, monthly meeting, Burchfield Nature Center, 2001 Union Rd., West Seneca, fly tying 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m.