The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding the public that various hunting seasons open this week.

Turkey and pheasant seasons, along with early bow hunting for deer and regular season for small game all open this week in the northern zone.

In the northern region of the state, both pheasant hunting and wild turkey hunting open on Saturday. The turkey hunting season runs through Oct. 14.

Early bow hunting for deer in the northern zone opened at sunrise Monday morning, and continues through Oct. 21. Crossbows may be used the last 10 days of the bow season this year, from Oct. 12 to Oct. 21. Special restrictions apply to the use of crossbows.

The DEC is also asking bow hunters to engage in citizen science while out hunting this fall by filling out the Bowhunter Sighting Log which tracks the number of deer seen and helps the DEC track deer and wildlife populations.

The Sighting Log is available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7193.html.

The DEC says that through a combination of partnerships, more than 30,000 adult pheasants will be released at various sites around the state this fall. Locally, there will be release sites in Chazy and Westport, as well as numerous spots around St. Lawrence county.

Visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9349.html for a map of pheasant release sites.

Several hunting seasons opened earlier this month, including the early bear, crow, ruffed grouse and squirrel seasons.

Coyote and woodcock hunting will also open state-wide on Saturday. Varying hare and cottontail rabbit hunting will open in the northern zone on Saturday as well and will run through the middle of March.

For a complete list of hunting seasons, visit www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/huntseasons16.pdf.