New York State Comments On "WATER" Law For Hunters

The hunting seasons will start soon in New York State. Although it may not be top of mind with the record heat that we are having, the 2025 deer season is on the way and licenses are on sale now.

If you plan to hunt, now is the time to take inventory, practice with the firearm that you will use and brush up on the New York State hunting and fishing laws. After a quick read of the laws, you might notice that one of them is quite interesting.

As we get halfway through August, take some time to study the New York State laws.

If you hunt on a piece of land that has some sort of body of water on it like a creek or pond, you should know what New York State has to say about harvesting an animal in those areas.

According to a post on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's website: "It is illegal to harvest deer or bear while the animal is in water".

I have hunted in a few places in which the deer move along a riverbank or creek and have actually seen them swim across some of them as well. If that is the case for you, keep this law in the back of your mind when you hit the stand this fall.

The heat will be here for a few more days, at least. I admit, it has been tough to get in the mood for deer hunting. However, the weather can change faster than a buck can jump a bow string. Now is the time to get excited for what's next.