While many people think of America’s largest city when they think of New York, the Empire State itself is a great place to hunt, with plenty wilderness and wildlife, rugged mountains, broad waterfowl-filled river valleys, and the shorelines of two of the Great Lakes. Two-thirds of the state’s human population lives in the New York metropolitan area, and the rest of the state—referred to as “upstate” New York—is a more sparsely populated region of scenic farmland, woodland, and large mountainous areas including the Allegheny Plateau, the Catskill Mountains, and the Adirondack Mountains. Deer hunting is one of the most popular sporting opportunities in New York state. Deer populations have been on the upswing since the turn of the twentieth century and today are sought-after by thousands of avid deer hunters with rifle, bow, and muzzleloader. New York also has between 6,000 to 7,000 black bears. In recent years, black bear numbers have increased and bear populations have become more widely distributed across the state. Bear hunting is permitted in the fall throughout portions of northern, southeastern, and central-western New York. Turkeys, small game, upland birds (primarily ruffed grouse and pheasants), and waterfowl round out the excellent hunting opportunities in the Empire State. When you purchase a general hunting license in New York, you receive one regular-season deer tag, which is usually valid only for an antlered deer except in certain zones. When you purchase an archery or muzzleloader license you receive an either/sex deer tag valid only in the respective archery or muzzleloader season. Fluorescent orange is not required in New York, but it is highly recommended and most hunters wear it. Hunting regulations vary between regions and management zones, so study them carefully at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html.