The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced Mon., Nov. 13, regular firearms season for deer and bear hunting in the Southern Zone will start Saturday. The season begins at sunrise, Sat., Nov. 18, and continues through Sun., Dec. 10. According to a statement released by the department, the Southern Zone regular season is the state's most popular hunting season. Approximately 85 percent of New York's 575,000 licensed hunters participate. Nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest, and between 30 to 60 percent of the statewide bear harvest, occurs during this season. The late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons begin after the firearms season concludes, and runs from December 11 through 19. Anyone walking in wooded, rural areas during this time is encouraged to wear blaze orange or pink. Wearing orange or pink prevents hunters from mistaking a person for an animal, or from shooting in an individual’s direction.  Read the full press release at DEC [dot] NY [dot] gov.