Before you head outdoors, catch up on New York’s October hunting reminders, Maryland’s fall trout stocking and prescribed-fire plans in Washington. Today’s four updates come from agency reports published October 7.

Illustrative white-tailed deer photo from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota: National Park Service. Not a photograph of the New York events. No claim to original U.S. Government works.

Hunting and Seasons

• New York’s youth hunt and October deer seasons: The Youth Firearms Big Game Hunt runs October 10 through 12 for licensed hunters ages 12 through 15, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. If your young hunter is 12 or 13, confirm that the county has adopted the required local law; all participating youth must be accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. DEC also reminds you that Northern Zone deer muzzleloading opens October 17 and regular firearms season opens October 24. Review the 2026 rule allowing hunters to earn a second Antlered Deer Tag by harvesting and reporting an antlerless deer using a valid antlerless tag. (New York DEC).
• Targeted CWD testing in Herkimer and Otsego counties: DEC is asking hunters who harvest deer in Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren or Winfield in Herkimer County, or Richfield in Otsego County, to submit the head at a designated collection bin for chronic wasting disease testing. The surveillance follows a 2024 detection in a captive herd; this announcement is not a report of a new wild-deer detection. Check DEC’s bin locations and alternate testing arrangements before your trip. (New York DEC).

As you prepare for your next outing, browse the Hunting & Fishing collection and check your equipment against the rules for your location.

Fishing and Regulations

• Maryland’s fall trout stocking has begun: Maryland DNR’s October 7 report says stocking started this week, with more than two dozen sites scheduled over the next couple of weeks. Put-and-take waters will receive rainbow and golden rainbow trout, while special management waters will receive brown trout. Check the latest stocking information and the rules for your chosen water before you go; the report is a stocking update, not a statewide change in fishing limits. (Maryland DNR).

Review your tackle checklist with the Fishing Accessories collection before your next day on the water.

Wildfire and Fire Restrictions

• Washington prescribed-burn update: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest’s October 7 update reports that Naches crews completed 127 acres of prescribed burning in Canteen Unit 19 on October 6 and were preparing to burn Canteen Unit 16 on Thursday, October 8. Methow Valley crews could not burn the planned Rendezvous unit and were looking at Libby Creek or Upper Rendezvous for the following week. If you will be nearby, check the current burn map and local air quality. Plans depend on weather and fuel conditions and may change or be canceled. (U.S. Forest Service).

Featured Gear: If a landing net is on your equipment list, take a look at the Shurhold Shur-LOK Landing Net and review its dimensions and setup requirements for your fishing style.

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