When most people think of New York, they picture the bright lights of Manhattan — but step beyond the skyline, and you’ll find one of the most diverse and rewarding outdoors landscapes in the entire United States. From the rugged peaks of the Adirondack Mountains to the rolling hills of the Southern Tier, New York is a state where hunting and fishing isn’t just recreation — it’s a deep-rooted tradition that connects generations.
New York is home to more than 4 million acres of public land open to hunters, including state forests, wildlife management areas, and parts of the Catskills and Adirondacks. That means endless opportunities for deer, turkey, bear, waterfowl, and small game hunters alike.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) manages these lands carefully, balancing conservation with access. Whether you prefer a remote backcountry trek or a quick hunt after work, the state offers terrain for every style — from thick hardwood forests to open farmland and marshland.
Deer Hunting In New York
Whitetail deer are the heart of New York’s hunting tradition. Each fall, more than 500,000 licensed hunters take to the woods for archery, muzzleloader, and regular firearms seasons. The Southern Tier, Hudson Valley, and western counties near Lake Ontario are known for strong deer populations, while the Adirondacks offer a more rugged, challenging hunt for those seeking solitude.
However, this story actually comes to us from Long Island, where there is actually a decent amount of public land and DEC-managed hunting grounds… but that doesn’t mean that everyone is on board.
This story initially went viral in the fall of 2019, on Long Island, New York, but with hunting season upon us, there’s no better time to revisit it. An honestly, it has just about everything you want in a classic viral video… laughter, anger, confusion, thick Long Island accents, a dad with a very punchable face… just a whirlwind of emotion.
According to the New York Post, the hunter was scoping out a wooded area near this neighborhood, public land where he could legally hunt, when he was confronted by a father and son who were MAD
Roll the tape:
It’s unclear if he had harvested a deer or not… it seemed like he was more or less just scouting some locations. But with the kid crying like a wimp, he might have one in the truck… who knows? It’s not really the even the point of the story.
The foul-mouthed 13 year old brat starts yelling at the hunter, and even hits his car with his hockey stick. Our hunter remains calm and collected, and in a very reasonable manner, rationally explains that he’s going to eat the deer that he harvests. A very rational and normal end-result of hunting. And yet, you can see the look of utter confusion on the face of the kid… I mean, the kid’s brain is in a blender.
The dad even claps back with an indignant:
“You’re not going to eat it.”
Not going to eat it? What did you think he was going to do with it? Are you seriously that stupid? (The answer is yes, yes he is that stupid. A quick lesson on conservation and the poor quality of the factory farmed meat you buy in the grocery store and you can see both of their heads spinning right off their shoulders. These people had no clue that hunters are doing so to eat quality meat… it’s sad really.
Dad sarcastically calls him a hero, the spoiled-brat kid continues to cuss him out, dad calls the police…it’s complete chaos. Ignorant anti-hunting lunacy at its finest. Eventually, the Department of Environmental Conservation shows up and confirms that he’s well within his rights to hunt there.
Moral of the story? Stupid people raise stupid kids. And yes, deer hunting helps control animal populations, raise money to help the environment, and provides people QUALITY food to eat. Clearly, these people have no idea where the meat they buy at Trader Joes comes from…
Oh, and maybe find a different sport to play kid…
That toilet-paper soft, whine-when-you-don’t-get-your-way, throw a temper tantrum about something that you don’t understand attitude isn’t going to cut it on the ice, kid.
I’m reminded of this classic scene from My Cousin Vinny.
Conservation & Access
The DEC and countless local groups have made major strides in recent years to expand hunting access, restore wildlife habitat, and encourage youth participation. Programs like Mentored Hunts and Learn to Hunt NY help new hunters experience the outdoors responsibly, keeping the tradition alive in an increasingly urban world.
New York may not be the first place you think of when it comes to hunting, but spend a few days in the Adirondacks in November or along the Finger Lakes in spring, and you’ll see why the Empire State’s wild side is worth discovering.
