Small Game Hunting'Small game' includes upland and, small game mammals (e.g., squirrel, rabbit), (e.g., fox, coyote), and reptiles and amphibians. Game species may be taken only during their open seasons.
Realistic Shooting - Hunting Small Games
Hunters taking wildlife on licensed shooting preserves must comply with regulations governing those shooting preserves.To enhance the small game hunting experience, the DEC has several programs to either keep accurate counts of takes or raise and release species to increase hunting opportunity. Among the programs in place are required of turkey take, and.Learn about DEC's, which will dramatically increase young forest habitat for popular game species like American woodcock and ruffed grouse on Wildlife Management Areas. WildlifeIn New York State, nearly all species of wildlife are protected.
Most species, including endangered species, songbirds, hawks and owls are fully protected and may not be taken. The few unprotected species include porcupine, red squirrel, woodchuck, English sparrow, starling, rock pigeon, and monk parakeet. Unprotected species may be taken at any time without limit. A hunting license is required to hunt unprotected wildlife with a bow, crossbow, or firearm. Small Game Regulations. You may not use a rifle or handgun to hunt pheasant or migratory game birds.
You may not take a turkey with a rifle, or with a handgun firing a bullet. You may hunt turkey with a shotgun or handgun only when using shot no larger than #2 and no smaller than #8. Air guns may be used to hunt squirrels, rabbits, hares, ruffed grouse, and furbearers that may be hunted (e.g., raccoons and coyotes) and unprotected species. Air guns may not be used to hunt waterfowl, pheasant, wild turkey, or big game. A bow or crossbow may be used to hunt small game.
A crossbow may not be used in Westchester or Suffolk counties. See for additional information. See the for additional information.and AmphibiansSeeThe went into effect on May 1, 2018. Falconry is the sport of hunting small game species with trained raptors.