• Hunting laws apply to land within the state of New York.no hunting image by Inhumane Productions from Fotolia.com
  
  Hunting laws vary from state to state, specifically concerning where you can hunt for game and at what time of the year. The state of New York has very specific hunting and fishing laws which restrict hunters from hunting in certain areas while allowing them to hunt in other areas.
  
  

Private Lands

• About 90 percent of the land owned in New York State is privately-owned, which means hunting can go on without state approval. However, the law states that hunters must receive permission from land owners before hunting on it; otherwise, they will be guilty of trespassing. Asking land owners shows a degree of respect as well, and they will most likely let you hunt there if it is hunting season. Hunting licenses should also be purchased as it is the law and should be shown to private land owners before anyone is allowed to hunt on the property.
  
  

Public Lands

• Many state-owned lands are available to hunters during the appropriate seasons. This information is available from the Department of Environmental Conservation's regional offices as well as the New York State Forest Rangers. Most hunting on this public land requires permits in writing which vary in terms of costs, depending on the season and what you are permitted to hunt or trap.
  
  

Illegal Hunting Activities

• While hunting on public or private land, there are certain hunting-related activities which are absolutely illegal for hunters to engage in. These entail driving over-sized vehicles over vegetation or forest areas in search of game, unless a posted legal notice allows you to do so. Damaging trees or vegetation in any way will get you in a lot of trouble, even hammering nails into tree trunks or building deer blinds in trees. Keep the forest clean by picking up all trash and litter, when you hunt, as that can yield serious fines from forest rangers or state officials, especially if on public land.