NY Env Conserv L § 11-0907 (2021)
2021 New York Laws ENV - Environmental Conservation Article 11 - Fish and Wildlife Title 9 - Hunting 11-0907 - Deer and Bear; Open Hunting Seasons; Bag Limits.

§ 11-0907. Deer and bear; open hunting seasons; bag limits.   1.  a. Wild deer without antlers or having antlers measuring less than three inches in length shall not be taken unless it is taken (1) by long bow in a special long bow season established in subdivision  3  of  this section,  or  (2)  by  muzzle-loading  firearm  or crossbow in a special muzzle-loading firearm season  established  in  subdivision  8  of  this section,  or  (3)  by  long bow in Westchester and Suffolk Counties in a year in which a regular season for deer of either sex is established for such counties, or (4) in a special open season for deer  of  either  sex fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision 5 or 7 of section 11-0903 of this  title,  or  (5) pursuant to a special antlerless deer license in a special open season for antlerless deer in a tract within  a  Wilderness Hunting  Area  fixed  by regulation pursuant to subdivision 6 of section 11-0903 of this title, or (6) pursuant to a deer management permit by  a person  eligible  to  take  such  deer  pursuant  thereto as provided in section 11-0913 of this title, or (7) pursuant to a permit issued to  an eligible  non-ambulatory  person,  pursuant  to subdivision 2 of section 11-0931 of this title, while in possession of a valid license issued  by the  department which authorizes the holder to hunt big game. Nothing in this  subparagraph  shall  be  construed  to  limit  the  power  of  the department  to  designate  by  regulation  an area or areas of the state consisting of a county or part of a county where such season shall apply and whether the number of such special permits shall be limited.   b. Except in the Northern Zone as defined in subdivision 15 of section 11-0103, bear which the taker knows or should know to be less  than  one year old shall not be taken.   * c.  The limit for wild deer is one deer per person in a license year except that (1) a person  entitled  to  exercise  the  privileges  of  a special  antlerless  deer  license  may  take  an  antlerless deer while hunting pursuant to such license in addition to the limit of one deer in a license year otherwise applicable, (2) a person who is a member  of  a hunting  group  holding  a  deer  management  permit  or  permits issued pursuant to section 11-0913 of this article  may  take  additional  deer while  hunting  in  accordance  with  the  conditions  of  the permit or permits, (3) the holder of a bowhunting privilege  or  a  muzzle-loading privilege  may  take  up to two additional deer, pursuant to regulations promulgated by  the  department,  and  (4)  an  eligible  non-ambulatory person, pursuant to subdivision 2 of section 11-0931 of this article may take  a  deer  of  either sex in any wildlife management unit area where deer management permits have been issued by  the  department,  while  in possession of a valid hunting license. Nothing contained in this section shall  be construed to limit the power of the department to designate by regulation an area or areas of the state consisting of a county or  part of a county where such season shall apply and whether the number of such special permits shall be limited.   * NB Effective until December 31, 2024   * c.  The  limit  for  wild deer and bear is one deer and one bear per person in a license year except that (1) a person entitled  to  exercise the  privileges  of  a  special  antlerless  deer  license  may  take an antlerless deer while hunting pursuant to such license  in  addition  to the  limit  of  one  deer  in a license year otherwise applicable, (2) a person who is a member of a hunting  group  holding  a  deer  management permit or permits issued pursuant to section 11-0913 of this article may take  additional deer while hunting in accordance with the conditions of the permit or permits, (3) the holder of a  bowhunting  privilege  or  a muzzle-loading privilege may take up to two additional deer, pursuant to regulations   promulgated   by  the  department,  and  (4)  an  eligible non-ambulatory person, pursuant to subdivision 2 of section  11-0931  of  this  article  may  take a deer of either sex in any wildlife management unit area  where  deer  management  permits  have  been  issued  by  the department,  while  in  possession  of  a valid hunting license. Nothing contained  in  this section shall be construed to limit the power of the department to designate by regulation an area  or  areas  of  the  state consisting of a county or part of a county where such season shall apply and whether the number of such special permits shall be limited.   * NB Effective December 31, 2024   d.  (1)  A  person  who  holds licenses and privileges authorizing the holder to hunt deer during a special archery season and the regular open season and who has taken a deer by longbow in a special  archery  season and  who  has not taken a deer in a regular open season may, in addition to the limit of one deer in a license year  otherwise  applicable,  take during  the same license year additional deer as specified by department regulation in a special  archery  season  following  the  close  of  the regular open deer season.  (2)  A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing the holder to hunt deer during a special archery season and the regular open season and who has taken a deer by longbow in the regular open season for  deer in  Westchester or Suffolk counties may, in addition to the limit of one deer in a license  year  otherwise  applicable,  take  during  the  same license  year  additional  deer  as  specified  by department regulation during such Westchester or Suffolk county regular open deer season.   e. A person who holds licenses and privileges authorizing  the  holder to hunt deer during a special muzzle-loading season and the regular open season  and  who  has  taken  a  deer  by  muzzle-loading  firearm  in a muzzle-loading season and who has not taken a deer  in  a  regular  open season  may,  in  addition  to  the  limit of one deer in a license year otherwise applicable, take during  the  same  year  additional  deer  as specified  by  department  regulation in a special muzzle-loading season following the close of the regular deer season.   2. Regular seasons. * a. Regular open hunting  seasons  for  deer  are established  separately  for  the  named regions or parts of regions, or named counties listed in column one of  the  table  set  forth  in  this subdivision,  and  are specified as seasons for taking by pistol, rifle, shotgun or long bow, or for taking by  shotgun,  crossbow  or  long  bow only,  or  for  taking  by  long  bow only, as indicated in column three entitled "Manner of Taking". Where taking of  big  game  by  shotgun  is permitted  by  this chapter such shotgun may contain rifling in all or a portion of the barrel, provided, however, if the  barrel  or  a  portion thereof  does  contain  rifling  only  shells having non-metallic cases, except for the base, may be used. In the areas identified in column  one except  in  the  "closed  areas"  specified  in subdivision five of this section the game specified in column two may be taken in the open season stated in column two immediately  following  the  specification  of  the game, in the manner specified in column three.                                    TABLE       Column One                Column Two               Column Three         Area              Game and Open Season        Manner of Taking  (a) Northern Zone         Deer, next to last       Pistol, rifle,                           Saturday in October      shotgun, crossbow                           through first Sunday      or long bow                           in December  (b) Catskill region       Deer, first Monday       Pistol, rifle,    except Delaware,        after November 15        shotgun, crossbow   Greene, Sullivan,       through first Tuesday    or long bow   Ulster counties         after December 7   and those counties   or portions thereof   listed in item (i)   of this paragraph  (c) Counties of           Deer, first Monday       Pistol, rifle,   Delaware, Greene,       after November 15        shotgun, crossbow   Sullivan and Ulster     through first Tuesday    or long bow                           after December 7  ** (d) Eastern region,    Deer, first Monday       Pistol, shotgun,   except Albany,          after November 15        crossbow,   Columbia, Fulton,       through first Tuesday    muzzle loading   Orange, Rensselaer,     after December 7         firearm or   Saratoga, Schenectady,                           long bow only   Washington Counties   and those counties   or portions thereof   listed in item (i)   of this paragraph ** NB Effective until October 1, 2024  ** (d) Eastern region,    Deer, first Monday       Pistol, shotgun,   except Columbia,        after November 15        crossbow,   Fulton, Orange,         through first Tuesday    muzzle loading   Rensselaer, Saratoga,   after December 7         firearm or   Schenectady,                                     long bow only   Washington Counties   and those counties   or portions thereof   listed in item (i)   of this paragraph ** NB Effective October 1, 2024  (e) Fulton, Saratoga,     Deer, first Monday       Pistol, rifle,   Schenectady,            after November 15        shotgun, crossbow   Washington (parts       through first Tuesday    or long bow   in the Southern         after December 7   zone), Columbia,   Orange, and   Rensselaer   counties  ** (f) Southern tier,     Deer, first              Pistol, shotgun,   central and Western     Monday after November    crossbow,   region, except those    15 through first         muzzle loading   counties or portions    Tuesday after            firearm or   thereof listed in       December 7               long bow only   item (i), (j), (k),  (l), (m), (n) or (o)   of this paragraph ** NB Effective until October 1, 2022  ** (f) Southern tier,     Deer, first              Pistol, shotgun,   central and Western     Monday after November    crossbow,    region, except those    15 through first         muzzle loading   counties or portions    Tuesday after            firearm or   thereof listed in       December 7               long bow only   item (i), (j), (k),  (l), (m), (n) of   this paragraph ** NB Effective October 1, 2022  (g) Westchester           Deer of either sex,      long bow only   County                  November 1 through                           December 31  (h) Suffolk County        Deer of either sex       long bow only                           Second Monday in                           November through                           March thirty-first  (i) The counties of       Deer, the first Monday   Pistol, shotgun,   Allegany, Cattaraugus,  after November 15        crossbow,   Cayuga, Chautauqua      through first Tuesday    muzzle loading   except that portion     after December 7         firearm, rifle or   of the county north                              long bow only   of route 20, Chemung,   Chenango, Herkimer,   Madison,   Montgomery, Oneida,   Oswego, Otsego,   Schoharie, Schuyler,   Steuben, Tioga,   Wyoming, Seneca   and Yates   and that portion of   the county of   Broome east of the   Susquehanna river  (j) The county of         Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,   Genesee                 after November 15        crossbow, muzzle                           through first Sunday     loading firearm,                           after December 7         rifle or long bow  (k) The county of         Deer, the first          Pistol, shotgun,    Ontario                Saturday after November  crossbow,                           15 through first Sunday  muzzle loading                           after December 7         firearm, rifle or                                                    long bow only  (l) The county of         Deer, the first          Pistol, shotgun,    Wayne                  Saturday after November  crossbow,                           15 through first Sunday  muzzle loading                           after December 7         firearm, rifle                                                    or long bow only  ** (m) The county of      Deer, the first          Pistol, shotgun,    Albany                 Saturday after November  crossbow, muzzle                           15 through first Sunday  loading firearm,                           after December 7         rifle or long bow                                                     only ** NB There are 2 item (m)'s ** NB Repealed October 1, 2024  ** (m) The county of      Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,    Livingston             after November 15        crossbow, muzzle                           through first Sunday     loading firearm,                           after December 7         rifle or long bow ** NB There are 2 item (m)'s  ** (n) The county of      Deer, the first          Pistol, shotgun,  Broome west of the       Saturday after November  crossbow, muzzle  Susquehanna river        15 through first Sunday  loading firearm,  except within the        after December 7         rifle or long bow  city of Binghamton ** NB There are 2 item (n)'s  ** (n) The county of      Deer, the first Saturday Pistol, shotgun,  Orleans                  after November 15        crossbow, muzzle                           through first Sunday     loading firearm,                           after December 7         rifle or long bow ** NB There are 2 item (n)'s  ** (o) The county of      Deer, the first          Pistol, shotgun,     Tompkins              Saturday after November  crossbow, muzzle                           15 through first Sunday  loading firearm,                           after December 7         rifle or long bow ** Repealed October 1, 2022  * NB Effective until December 31, 2024   * a.  Regular  open  hunting  seasons  for  big  game  are established separately for the named regions or parts of regions, or named  counties listed in column one of the table set forth in this subdivision, and are specified  as  seasons for taking by pistol, rifle, shotgun or long bow, or for taking by shotgun or long bow only, or for  taking  by  long  bow only,  as  indicated  in column three entitled "Manner of Taking". Where taking of big game by shotgun is permitted by this chapter such  shotgun may  contain  rifling  in  all  or  a  portion  of the barrel, provided, however, if the barrel or a portion thereof does  contain  rifling  only shells  having  non-metallic cases, except for the base, may be used. In the areas  identified  in  column  one  except  in  the  "closed  areas" specified in subdivision 5 the game specified in column two may be taken in  the  open  season  stated  in  column  two immediately following the specification of the game, in the manner specified in column three.                                    TABLE       Column One                Column Two               Column Three         Area              Game and Open Season        Manner of Taking  (a) Northern Zone         Deer and bear, next       Pistol, rifle,                           to last Saturday in       shotgun,                           October through first     crossbow                           Sunday in December        or long bow  (b) Catskill region       Deer and bear, first      Pistol, rifle,   except Delaware,        Monday after              shotgun,   Greene, Sullivan,       November 15 through       crossbow    Ulster counties         first Tuesday after       or long bow   and those counties      December 7   or portions thereof   listed in item (i)   of this paragraph  (c) Counties of           Deer, first Monday        Pistol, rifle,   Delaware, Greene,       after November 15         shotgun,   Sullivan and Ulster     through first Tuesday     crossbow                           after December 7;         or long bow                           Bear, first Monday                           after November 15                           through second                           Tuesday after                           December 7  (d) Eastern region,       Deer and bear,            Pistol, shotgun,   except Columbia,        first Monday after        crossbow, muzzle   Fulton, Orange,         November 15 through       loading firearm   Rensselaer, Saratoga,   first Tuesday after       or long bow only   Schenectady,            December 7   Washington Counties   and those counties   or portions thereof   listed in item (i)   of this paragraph  (e) Fulton, Saratoga,     Deer and bear, first      Pistol, rifle,   Schenectady,            Monday after November     shotgun,   Washington (parts       15 through first          crossbow   in the Southern         Tuesday after             or long bow   zone), Columbia,        December 7   Orange, and   Rensselaer   counties  (f) Southern tier,        Deer and bear, first      Pistol, shotgun,   central and Western     Monday after November     crossbow, muzzle   region, except those    15 through first          loading firearm   counties or portions    Tuesday after             or long bow only   thereof listed in       December 7   item (i), (j), (j),  (k), (l) ** or (m)**   of this paragraph ** NB "or (m)" expires October 1, 2022  (g) Westchester           Deer of either sex,       Long bow only   County                  November 1 through                           December 31  (h) Suffolk County        Deer of either sex        long bow only                           Second Monday in                           November through                           March thirty-first  (i) The counties of       Deer and bear, the        Pistol, shotgun,   Allegany, Cattaraugus,  first Monday after        crossbow,   Chautauqua except       November 15 through       muzzle loading    that portion of the     first Tuesday after       firearm, rifle or   county north of route   December 7                long bow only   20, Chenango,   Herkimer, Montgomery,   Oneida, Oswego,   Otsego, Schoharie,   Tioga and Wyoming   and that portion   of the county   of Broome east of the   Susquehanna river  ** (j) The county of      Deer and bear, the        Pistol, shotgun,    Ontario                first Saturday after      crossbow,                           November 15 through       muzzle loading                           first Sunday after        firearm, rifle or                           December 7                long bow only ** NB There are 2 item (j)'s  ** (j) The county of      Deer and bear, the first  Pistol, shotgun,    Wayne                  Saturday after November   crossbow, muzzle                           15 through first Sunday   loading firearm,                           after December 7          rifle or long bow                                                     only ** NB There are 2 item (j)'s  (k) The county of         Deer and bear, the first  Pistol, shotgun,  Livingston               Saturday after November   crossbow, muzzle                           15 through first Sunday   loading firearm,                           after December 7          rifle or long bow  ** (l) The county of      Deer and bear, the        Pistol, shotgun,  Broome west of the       first Saturday after      crossbow, muzzle  Susquehanna river        November 15 through       loading firearm,  except within the        first Sunday after        rifle or long  city of Binghamton       December 7                bow only ** NB There are 4 item (l)'s  ** (l) The county of      Deer and bear, the        Pistol, shotgun,  Genesee                  first Saturday after      crossbow, muzzle                           November 15 through       loading firearm,                           first Sunday after        rifle or long                           December 7                bow only  ** NB There are 4 item (l)'s  ** (l) The county of      Deer and bear, the first  Pistol, shotgun,   Seneca                  Saturday after November   crossbow, muzzle                           15 through first          loading firearm,                           Sunday after              rifle or long                           December 7                bow only ** NB There are 4 item (l)'s  ** (l) The county of      Deer and bear, the        Pistol, shotgun,   Orleans                 first Saturday after      crossbow, muzzle                           November 15 through       loading firearm,                           first Sunday after        rifle or long                           December 7                bow only  ** NB There are 4 item (l)'s  ** (m) The county of      Deer and bear, the        Pistol, shotgun,     Tompkins              first Saturday after      crossbow, muzzle                           November 15 through       loading firearm,                           first Sunday after        rifle or long                           December 7                bow only ** NB Repealed October 1, 2022  * NB Effective December 31, 2024   * b.  Regular  open  hunting  seasons for bear are fixed by regulation pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903. The implements allowed for bear hunting will be the same as  those  allowed  for  deer  hunting  as listed  in  column  three  of the table set forth in paragraph a of this subdivision.   * NB Expires December 31, 2024   3. Special archery seasons.   * a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth  in subdivision  2  of this section, except Westchester and Suffolk Counties in  which  a  regular  open  season  for  taking  deer  by  firearms  is established  and  effective,  a  special  open season is established for taking deer of either sex, by the use of a long bow only by holders of a hunting license with a valid bowhunting privilege.   * NB Effective until December 31, 2024   * a. In every area identified in column one of the table set forth  in subdivision  2  of this section, except Westchester and Suffolk Counties in  which  a  regular  open  season  for  taking  deer  by  firearms  is established  and  effective,  a  special  open season is established for taking deer of either sex, and bear, by the use of a long  bow  only  by holders of a hunting license with a valid bowhunting privilege.   * NB Effective December 31, 2024   * b. Such special open deer hunting season for each area shall be from October 15 through the day immediately preceding the regular open season for  deer  stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision 2, except that in the Northern Zone  each  special  season  shall  be  from September  27  through the Friday immediately preceding the next to last Saturday in October, and in the Southern Zone such special season  shall also  include  the  five  days following the closing of the regular open season.   * NB Effective until December 31, 2024   * b. Such special open season for each area shall be from  October  15 through  the  day immediately preceding the regular open season for deer stated in column two of the table set forth  in  subdivision  2,  except that in the Northern Zone each special season shall be from September 27 through  the  Friday  immediately preceding the next to last Saturday in October, and in the Southern Zone such special season shall also include the five days following the closing of the regular open season.   * NB Effective December 31, 2024   * c. A similar special open  bear  hunting  season  may  be  fixed  by regulation pursuant to subdivision 8 of section 11-0903.   * NB Expires December 31, 2024   4.  a.  "Northern  Zone"  and  "Southern  Zone" are defined in section 11-0103.   b. "Catskill region" means that part of the Southern  Zone  consisting of  the  counties of Greene, Sullivan, Ulster; those parts of Broome and Chenango counties easterly of the Susquehanna River  from  its  junction with the Unadilla River at the Chenango-Otsego County boundary line to a point  where  it intersects the New York-Pennsylvania line; that part of  Otsego County south of the main line tracks of the Delaware  and  Hudson Railroad  Company;  and  those  parts of Delaware and Schoharie counties lying south and west of a line beginning at the intersection of the main line  tracks  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Railroad  Company with the Otsego-Schoharie County line to the  village  of  Richmondville,  thence south  on  Route  10 to its intersection with Route 23 in the village of Stamford, thence easterly  along  Route  23  to  its  intersection  with Schoharie  County Route 342 thence easterly along Schoharie County Route 342 to its intersection with Schoharie County Route 3;  thence  easterly along Schoharie County Route 3 to the Albany-Schoharie County line.   c. "Eastern region" means that part of the Southern Zone easterly of a continuous  line  formed  by  the  Susquehanna  river  commencing at its intersection with the New York-Pennsylvania  boundary  in  the  town  of Windsor  in  Broome county to its confluence with the Unadilla river, by the Unadilla river from its confluence with the Susquehanna river to its intersection  with  the  Herkimer-Otsego   county   boundary,   by   the Otsego-Herkimer  county  boundary  and  by  the  Oneida-Herkimer  county boundary to the Northern Zone, except (1) the "Catskill region"  defined in paragraph b and (2) Westchester county.   d.  "Southern tier, central and western region" means that part of the Southern Zone  lying  westerly  of  the  continuous  line  described  in paragraph c.   5.  Closed areas. The following areas are closed to the taking of deer and bear:   a. In Monroe County, the area bounded and described as follows: On the west by Route 261 (Manitou Road) beginning  at  Manitou  Beach  on  Lake Ontario  in  the town of Greece and continuing southerly along such road to its intersection with the Barge Canal,  thence  easterly  along  such canal  to  East Avenue in the village of Pittsford, thence northeasterly along East Avenue to  Allen  Creek  in  the  town  of  Brighton,  thence northerly along Allen Creek to Irondequoit Creek, thence northerly along Irondequoit  Creek  to  Irondequoit  Bay,  thence  northerly  along  the easterly shore of Irondequoit Bay to Lake Ontario; except that  deer  of either  sex  may  be  taken  during the regular and special deer hunting seasons provided for in this title by the use of a longbow by holders of licenses which authorize the  holder  to  hunt  deer  during  a  special archery  season  and provided further that this exception permitting the taking of deer by a longbow shall not apply within an area in  the  town of  Greece  bounded  and  described as follows: On the west by Long Pond Road beginning at Latta Road and continuing southerly along such road to its intersection with Maiden Lane, thence easterly along Maiden Lane  to its  intersection  with  Mt. Read Blvd., thence northerly along Mt. Read Blvd. to its intersection with Latta Road, thence westerly  along  Latta Road to its intersection with Long Pond Road at the point of beginning.   b.  In Erie County, the area bounded by a continuous line beginning at the point of confluence of the east branch of the Niagara River and  the Tonawanda  Creek,  and  from  said point of beginning easterly along the south bank of Tonawanda Creek  to  its  intersection  with  highway  78, thence southerly along highway 78 to its intersection with Greiner Road, thence  easterly  along  Greiner  Road to its junction with highway 268, thence southerly along highway 268 to its intersection with  highway  5, thence westerly along highway 5 to its junction with Ransom Road, thence southerly  along Ransom Road to its intersection with highway 33, thence westerly along highway 33 to its intersection with  highway  78,  thence southerly  along  highway 78 to its intersection with highway 20, thence southwesterly along highway 20 to its intersection  with  highway  20-a, thence westerly along the extension of highway 20-a to Lake Erie, thence  northerly  along  the  shores  of Lake Erie and the Niagara River to the place of beginning.   c. Nassau County.   d.  In Herkimer county, town of Webb, the area bounded by a continuous line  beginning  at  the  intersection  of  the  Judson  Road  and   the Herkimer-Hamilton  county  boundary  line,  thence westerly to the Higby road, continuing southwesterly to its intersection with  the  Big  Moose road  (Herkimer  county  highway 1), thence north and westerly along the Big Moose road to its intersection with the  Martin  road  and  easterly along the Martin road to its end, thence back to the lake shore and back along  and around the shore of Big Moose lake (starting westerly) to the Herkimer-Hamilton county boundary on the shore and then south along  the boundary line ending at the Judson road, the point of beginning.   e. In Herkimer and Hamilton counties, the area bounded by a continuous line  beginning  at the junction of the South Shore Road and Route 28 in the village of Old Forge and extending northeasterly along Route  28  to the  hamlet of Inlet and thence southwesterly along the South Shore Road to the point of beginning.   7. Areas restricted to long bow only.   a. The area described in this subdivision is closed to the  taking  of deer  and bear by firearms, but shall be open for taking deer by the use of a longbow only by holders of licenses which authorize the holders  to hunt deer during a special archery season as follows: during the special deer  season  stated  in  subdivision  3  of this section and during the regular season stated in subdivision 2 of this section, deer  of  either sex may be taken.   b.  This subdivision applies to that area in Albany county east of the Penn Central West Shore railroad starting at the Schenectady county line in the town of Guilderland and continuing to  its  confluence  with  the Penn  Central  Hudson  River connecting railroad, thence along such Penn Central Hudson River connecting railroad until  it  meets  Route  32  in Feura  Bush  and  northeast  on Route 32 to its juncture with Feura Bush road, then east along Feura Bush road to its juncture with Route 144  in Glenmont, then south along Route 144 to the Vlaman Kill, then east along the Vlaman Kill to the Hudson river.   8. Muzzle-loading firearm big game season.   a.  In  every  area identified in column one of the table set forth in subdivision two of  this  section,  except  those  areas  restricted  to special  seasons  for  taking deer by longbow only, special open seasons may be established by regulation for taking deer and/or bear, by the use of muzzle-loading firearms, of not less  than  .44  caliber  shooting  a single  projectile,  or  by  the  use of a crossbow, by the holders of a hunting license with a valid muzzle-loading privilege.   b. Such special open season for the Southern Zone  shall  be  for  the seven  day period immediately preceding the regular open season for deer stated in column two of the table set forth in subdivision two  of  this section,  except  that  the department may, by regulation, fix such open season in the Southern Zone or any portion  thereof  to  be  either  the seven  days  immediately  preceding or immediately following the regular open season for deer, provided, however, that any taking of deer or bear by the use of a crossbow in a season or  special  season  in  which  the muzzle  loader  is  the only firearm permitted shall succeed the regular open hunting season for deer established pursuant to subdivision two  of of this section.   c. Until December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-four, such special season for the Northern Zone or any portion thereof may by regulation be for  up  to  a fourteen-day period preceding the regular open season for deer stated in column two of the table set forth  in  subdivision  2  of  this  section  or  may be for up to a fourteen-day period following such open season or any combination  thereof,  provided  that  a  maximum  of sixteen days is not exceeded for any open area. Regulations establishing such  Northern  Zone  muzzle-loading firearm big game season may specify the taking of deer of either sex,  antlerless  deer  only,  legal  bucks only,   or  any  combination  thereof,  and  may  require  that  persons participating in the  Northern  Zone  muzzle-loading  firearm  big  game season  obtain  a  special permit from the department. When establishing these regulations, the department must consider  the  condition  of  the herd  and  communities',  property  owners', hunters' and other relevant interests.   9. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision  of  this  chapter,  big game may be taken on any day of the week during open season or a special season  in  those parts of New York state east of a line starting at the juncture of the shore of Lake Ontario and West Bay road; then  southerly along  West  Bay  road  to Route 104A; then easterly along Route 104A to Route 38; then southerly along Route 38 to the New  York  State  Thruway Interstate  90  at Port Byron; then southwesterly along Interstate 90 to Route 90 near Montezuma; then southerly along Route 90 to Route 20; then westerly along Route 20 to the east bank of Seneca River; then southerly along the east bank of Seneca River to the east shore  of  Cayuga  Lake; then southerly along the east shore of Cayuga Lake to Cayuga Creek; then southerly  along  the  east  bank of Cayuga Creek to Route 96 in Ithaca; then southerly along Route 96 to Sabin Road in Spencer;  then  southerly and  westerly  along  Sabin  Road to Dean Creek Road; then southwesterly along Dean Creek Road to Route 34; then southerly along Route 34 to  the Pennsylvania boundary.   10.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  this  chapter,  or any prior notwithstanding  language  in  this  article,  the  department  may,  by regulation, authorize the taking of big game by the use of a crossbow by any  licensed  person  in  any big game season in any area designated in items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (k) and (l) of paragraph  a  of subdivision  two  of this section in which a shotgun or muzzle loader is permitted provided however, that any crossbow use during an archery-only season shall only take place during the last fourteen  consecutive  days of  such  archery-only  season  in  the southern zone provided that such archery-only season shall consist of not less than forty-five  days  and only  during the last ten consecutive days of any archery-only season in the northern zone provided that such archery-only season  shall  consist of  no  less  than  twenty-three  days.  Any muzzle loading season which occurs at the same time as a  special  archery  season  may  only  occur during times when crossbows are authorized to be used.