The new 2014 early bear hunting seasons opens at sunrise on Saturday, September 6, in portions of New York's southern zone, including parts of the Catskills, and Saturday, September 13, in the northern zone. The early bowhunting season for bears opens in all of the Southern Zone on October 1, followed by the regular firearms season beginning November 15. Muzzleloader season opens on October 18, followed by the regular firearms season for bear on October 25. During these early seasons, or whenever hunting in warm conditions, the DEC recommends bear hunters should be prepared to skin and cool harvested bears as soon as possible to protect the quality of the meat. Hunters may consider skinning and quartering the bear in the field and packing out the meat in game bags. Highlights of changes in hunting regulations are available on DEC's website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/95007.html.