The following are the dates for Turkey and Big Game hunting in NYS DEC Southern Zone, which covers all of the Finger Lakes Trail system. Make sure you know the regulations, trail closings, and hiking advice in your area. Remember, wear blaze orange during hunting season, and respect the rights of responsible hunters engaged in legal hunting activities.
This list is not a complete list of all hunting seasons, please refer to the NYS DEC website for specific information about hunting seasons and maps of the various zones. The dates of future deer and bear hunting seasons can be determined from the NYS DEC’s page on Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons.
| Type of hunting | Season | 2024 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Turkey | 30 min. before Sunrise to Noon. (Closed sections of trail are closed all day.) | Apr 22 – 21 |
| Spring Turkey | 30 min. before Sunrise to Noon. (Closed sections of trail are closed all day.) | May 1 – 31 |
| Early Antlerless—Deer | 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. 9 consecutive days beginning the 2nd Saturday of September. This season only includes a limited number of WMUs (9F, 8N, and 8G) that the FLT system passes through: parts of the Conservation Branch trail on maps CT8/CT9 (Genesee County) / CT10 (Erie County) and Bristol Hills Branch trails B1 and B2. Currently only CT8/CT9 include closures due to it. | Sep 14 – Sep 22 |
| Bowhunting—Deer and Bear | October 1 through the day prior to the opening of the Regular Deer Season, nine days immediately following the close of the Regular Deer Season and one week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. | Oct 1 – Nov 15 Dec 9 – Dec 17 Dec 26 – Jan 1 |
| Youth Firearms-Deer and Bear | 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. | Oct 12 – 14 |
| Crossbow—Deer | 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. | Nov 2 – Nov 15 |
| Regular—Deer | 23 days beginning the third Saturday of November. 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. | Nov 16 – Dec 8 |
| Regular—Bear | 23 days beginning the third Saturday of November. 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. | Nov 16 – Dec 8 |
| Muzzleloading—Deer and Bear | The nine days immediately following the close of the Regular Deer Season and one week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. 30 min. before Sunrise to 30 min. after Sunset. | Dec 9 – Dec 17 Dec 26 – Jan 1 |
| January DMFA | This season only includes a limited area the main trail and some spurs of the FLT System passes through in Tompkins County on maps M16 and M17. Currently only map M17 includes a closure due to it.
The DEC provides this page on the season and areas affected. |
Jan 11 – Jan 31 (2025) |
| Fall Turkey (Southern) |
Sunrise to Sunset | Oct 19 – Nov 1 |
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This is an overview map of the Finger Lakes Trail System. It shows tracks of the main trail, branch trails, loops and spurs. The track colors represent the blaze colors for the branch trails, loops, spurs, and sections of the main FLT not blazed in white. Most of the main FLT is depicted in black & white for better visibility on various map backgrounds, but blazed in white on the ground. Trail closures (hunting, logging, etc.) and recommended bypass routes are depicted as shown at right. Hover over a track to display the name and length. Tracks colored 
This is a overview map of the Finger Lakes Trail System. It shows tracks of the main trail, branch trails, loops and spurs. The track colors represent the blaze colors for the branch trails, loops, spurs, and sections of the main FLT not blazed in white. Most of the main FLT is depicted in black & white for better visibility on various map backgrounds, but blazed in white on the ground. Trail closures (hunting, logging, etc.) and recommended bypass routes are depicted as shown at right. Hover over a track to display the name and length. Tracks colored 
Loop Maps, Guides and GPS files you can purchase from the 
Water source – TREAT BEFORE DRINKING
