Most local counties have opted-in to allow youth ages 12 and 13 to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow when supervised by an experienced adult hunter. New York's Department of Environmental Conservation for the first time this year is allowing local counties to allow, or not, young people to hunt. Albany and Ulster counties did not opt-in. Greene, Columbia, Rensselaer, Dutchess, Schoharie, and Delaware counties all passed a local law to allow 12- and 13-year-old licensed hunters to kill deer with a rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloading firearm in legal areas. The 12- and 13-year-olds are only allowed to hunt deer, not black bears. The next youth firearm season is Oct. 9-11.