Regulations were expanded this Summer to allow bear hunting in 13 additional Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). These include parts of Broome, Chenango, Tioga, Tompkins, Cortland, Otsego, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wyoming, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, Madison, Onondaga and Oneida.

From what I understand, New York Deer Hunters will now be able to kill a black bear on the same Big Game tag they use for deer hunting.

A map showing the boundries and dates is available by clicking here -> New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The regulations open bear hunting in WMUs 7M, 7R, 7S, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8S, 9G and 9H to black bear hunting for the bowhunting, regular and muzzleloading seasons. Season dates for these units will be the same as those in place for adjacent units already open to bear hunting in the Allegany bear hunting area, with bowhunting season starting on Oct. 18, and regular firearms bear season beginning Nov. 22 which is one week later than the firearms deer season opener.

WMU 4N will also be open to black bear hunting but the dates will be the same as the Catskill bear hunting area with bowhunting season starting on Oct. 18 and regular firearms bear season beginning Nov. 15.

Successful bear hunters must report their kill by calling 866-GAMERPT (866-426-3778) or through DEC's new online reporting system. (sorry, I couldn't find the url for the reporting system - Don)