Printer-friendlyPlaces to Hunt in New York
New York is one of the nation's premier states for hunters. Widely diverse habitats allow a variety of hunting experiences for numerous species. Whether your preference is hunting wildfowl in a wetland or tracking deer in the forest, New York has a place where you'll love to hunt.
This page links to an explanation of the law governing posting of private lands in New York, as well as guides to hunting on selected public and private lands of the state.
Hunters in the field
Wildlife Recreation Map
A wildlife recreation map is available from license issuing agents with the purchase of a hunting or trapping license. Areas shown on the map include FWMA cooperative areas, wildlife management areas, state forests and federal lands.
Private Lands
Wildlife-related recreational opportunities abound on private land. New York State has millions of acres, home to hundreds of wildlife species. Since 85 percent of the state is privately-owned, many people rely on private landowners for outdoor recreation. Nearly two-thirds of the hunting in New York State is on private lands and more than 90 percent of all hunters will hunt on private lands during the hunting seasons.
Rights-of-way, such as power lines and railroads that cross private property are NOT public lands, and trespassing on these areas without permission from the landowner is illegal. Federal law prohibits hunting and possession of firearms on lands administered by the National Park Service, including the Appalachian Trail.
Always ASK permission to hunt on private land, whether or not it is posted. Even landowners who post are likely to say "yes" to people who show their respect for private property by asking first. Most rural landowners are generous people who will gladly help visitors.
Trees and other plants on private land are private property. It is illegal to cut or remove them, or to cut limbs or damage bark (such as from putting up blinds or tree stands, or cutting shooting lanes or trails) without the landowner's permission.
Some landowners use ASK Permission stickers on their signs. These symbols, a product of the State Fish & Wildlife Management Board in cooperation with DEC, express the landowners' willingness to allow access to their property to those people who ASK. The ASK stickers are available free from DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12233-4754.
A poor image of outdoor recreationists is one main reason why access to some private property is denied. If recreationists demonstrate courtesy to landowners and respect for property, the situation could improve. If, however, trespassing, littering and vandalism occur, access will continue to be denied.
Ask permission poster
Be courteous, ASK:
- Permission well in advance of your trip. Don't show up on opening day, or at inconvenient times, or with a gun in your hand, or your snowmobile or ATV running in the front yard.
- When you can go. Just because you hunted there in October, don't assume you can go back the next year without asking permission.
- What is permitted on the property. Do not park off-road vehicles, camp, damage vegetation, construct a permanent structure (tree stands, blinds or platforms) or store personal property without the landowner's permission.
- Where certain activities are allowed. Shooting may disturb nearby farm animals or neighbors.
- Who is welcome. More than two or three people can be an unwelcome crowd.
- About special concerns -- if the landowner's family is likely to be in the woods or fields and where the property boundaries are located.
And lastly, but very importantly, thank the landowner for his/her generosity. Show your appreciation by offering to share your game or buy a bushel of his/her crops, such as apples.
FWMA Cooperative Areas
Through cooperative agreements under New York's Fish & Wildlife Management Act (FWMA), Cooperative Hunting Areas provide access and management services to privately-owned lands in order to increase public hunting opportunities. When using these areas, remember that you are a guest on private property and act accordingly.
Hunters are strongly advised to contact the DEC Regional Office for current information about the status of these areas. Following is a list of the areas arranged by county.
| County | Cooperative Area | DEC Region / Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Cattaraugus | Pierce Run | Region 9 / (716) 372-0645 |
| Cayuga/ Tompkins |
Kings Ferry | Region 7 / (607) 753-3095 x 247 |
| Delaware | Cannonsville* | Region 4 / (607) 652-7367 |
| Jefferson | Fort Drum | Region 6 / (315) 785-2261 |
| Orange | Stewart | Region 3 / (914) 256-3098 |
| Ulster | Shaupeneak Ridge Area | Region 3 / (914) 256-3098 |
| Wyoming | Sulphur Springs | Region 9 / (716) 372-0645 |
*Beginning April 1, 2002 a new permit is required for recreational activities on all New York City - owned water supply lands, including Cannonsville reservoir, For more information see: The DEP Website
Liability
Whether or not the land is posted, New York State General Obligations Law protects landowners from liability for non-paying recreationists engaged in hunting, trapping and fishing on their property. Because of this protection, recreational liability lawsuits against rural landowners are uncommon. This protection does not apply in cases of willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against dangers.
Public Lands
Many state lands are open for hunting and trapping during the appropriate seasons. For information on hunting and trapping opportunities and rules governing the use of state land, contact the DEC Regional Office for the county where you would like to hunt or trap. Wildlife staff can provide information about wildlife management areas (WMAs) and Cooperative Hunting Areas. Forestry staff and NYS Forest Rangers can provide details on state forest lands and the forest preserve. In some instances, written permission or permits are required to use state areas. These are available from DEC Regional Offices during normal business hours.
Wildlife Management Areas
Follow the link on the right to learn about the more than 85 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) scattered across New York State. Together, these areas contain more than 200,000 acres - 124, 000 acres of upland and 53,000 acres of wetland. On many WMAs, hunting is an allowed use.
Forest Preserve
Hunting and trapping are permitted in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves. State-owned lands located within these preserves are designated Forever Wild. All state land rules and camping requirements apply to the preserves, as well as additional rules specific to certain areas. Contact the DEC Regional Office or nearest NYS Forest Ranger for further information on the area you are interested in.
State Forest (Reforestation Land)
Outside the Adirondacks and Catskills, reforestation areas are the most common type of state lands. Many recreational activities can be pursued on reforestation areas, including hunting and trapping. Reforestation areas are marked with signs saying State Forest.
In some instances, permits are required to camp overnight on undeveloped state forest lands. Unless specifically prohibited, groups of less than 10 people may camp on state forest lands (other than developed campgrounds and wildlife management areas) for three nights without a permit. To camp for four nights or more, a permit must be obtained. Groups of 10 or more people need a permit to camp on such lands for one night. Further information may be obtained from DEC Regional Offices for the county you want to camp in or from local NYS Forest Rangers.
Dos and Don'ts on DEC Lands
Camping on wildlife management areas requires a permit. Contact the DEC regional office in the region where the WMA is located.
Camping without a permit is allowed on state forests, multiple use areas, unique areas and forest preserves. However, you need a permit if you are camping with a group of 10 or more or if you are staying four or more nights. Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of any road, trail or water body, except at areas designated by DEC.
For brochures on "Tips for Using State Lands" and "Use of New York State Public Forest Lands," contact the Lands and Forests staff at your DEC regional office or write to Lands and Forests Publications, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4255.
Keep in mind that it is unlawful to:
- Travel off-road using any motorized vehicles (motorcycles, snowmobiles, trail bikes, motor scooters, mopeds, all terrain vehicles, etc.), except as specifically allowed by a permit or posted notice.
- Damage vegetation, including trees, or remove anything from state land.
- Place nails or other hardware into trees.
- Build permanent structures, such as tree stands, platforms and blinds.
- Erect, use or maintain a building or structure.
- Store personal property.
- Deposit or leave any litter or rubbish.
State Parks
Many state parks offer waterfowl, small game and big game hunting. For more information, contact the DEC Regional Offices or visit the state parks website. State parks listed below allow deer hunting.
Call each state park to find out specific dates and other regulations.
Key to symbols in table:
* Archery only
** Archery and muzzleloading only
(P) Permit required
(S) No Sunday hunting
(A) Many Saratoga Regional State Park facilities are open to hunting under specific regulations and a permit obtained from the Park Manager.
| County | State Park | Telephone Number | DEC Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | John Boyd Thatcher (P) (A) | (518) 872-1237 | 4 |
| Cattaraugus | Allegany (P) (S) | (716) 354-9101 | 9 |
| Cayuga | Fillmore Glen ** | (315) 497-0130 | 7 |
| Cayuga | Long Point | (315) 497-0130 | 7 |
| Chemung | Mark Twain * | (607) 739-0034 | 8 |
| Chenango | Hunts Pond | (607) 859-2249 | 7 |
| Chenango | Bowman Lake | (607) 334-2718 | 7 |
| Columbia | Taconic-Copake Falls | (518) 329-3993 | 4 |
| Columbia | Lake Taghkanic * | (518) 851-3631 | 4 |
| Columbia | Hudson River Islands (P)(A) | (518) 872-1237 | 4 |
| Columbia | Clermont * | (518) 537-4240 | 4 |
| Delaware, Broome | Oquaga Creek | (607) 467-4160 | 4,7 |
| Genesee | Darien Lakes (P) | (585) 547-9481 | 8 |
| Jefferson | Wellesley Island * (P) | (315) 482-2722 | 6 |
| Lewis | Whetstone Gulf * | (315) 376-6630 | 6 |
| Livingston, Wyoming | Letchworth (P) | (585) 493-3600 | 8,9 |
| Oneida | Verona Beach * (P) | (315) 762-4463 | 6 |
| Oneida | Pixley Falls | (315) 942-4713 | 6 |
| Ontario | Harriet Hollister Spencer | (585) 335-8111 | 8 |
| Orange | Sterling Forest (P) | (845) 351-5907 | 3 |
| Orange | Storm King | (845) 786-2701 | 3 |
| Otsego | Gilbert Lake * (P) | (607) 432-2114 | 4 |
| Putnam | Clarence Fahnestock* (P) | (845) 225-7207 | 3 |
| Putnam | Hudson Highlands * (P) | (845) 225-7207 | 3 |
| Rensselaer | Schodack Island (P)(A) | (518) 584-2000 | 4 |
| Rensselaer | Cherry Plain (P)(A) | (518) 279-1155 | 4 |
| Rensselaer | Grafton Lakes (P)(A) | (518) 279-1155 | 4 |
| St. Lawrence | Coles Creek | (315) 388-5636 | 6 |
| St. Lawrence | Higley Flow | (315) 262-2880 | 6 |
| Saratoga | Moreau Lake | (518) 793-0511 | 5 |
| Schoharie | Mine Kill (P) (A) | (518) 827-6111 | 4 |
| Schuyler | Watkins Glen * | (607) 535-4511 | 8 |
| Seneca | Sampson (P) | (315) 585-6392 | 8 |
| Steuben | Pinnacle (P) ** | (607) 359-2767 | 8 |
| Steuben | Stony Brook * | (585) 335-8111 | 8 |
| Suffolk | Hither Hills * (P) | (516) 668-3781 | 1 |
| Suffolk | Montauk Point (P) (S) | (516) 668-3781 | 1 |
| Sullivan | Lake Superior | (845) 794-3000 ext 3006 |
3 |
| Tompkins | Buttermilk Falls * Oct-May phone |
(607) 273-5761 (607) 273-3440 |
7 |
| Tompkins | R.H. Treman * (P) | (607) 273-3440 | 7 |
| Tompkins | Taughannock Falls * | (607) 387-6739 | 7 |
| Ulster | Minnewaska | (845) 255-0753 | 3 |
| Wayne | Chimney Bluffs | (315) 947-5205 | 8 |
| Wyoming | Silver Lake (P) | (585) 493-3600 | 9 |
| Yates | Keuka Lake ** | (315) 536-3666 | 8 |
Other Areas to Hunt
Whitney Point Reservoir Recreation Area: Located on State Route 26 several miles north of the Village of Whitney Point in Broome and Cortland counties. Offers big and small game hunting. No special hunting permits required.
Moose River Recreation Area: Located in Hamilton County. Hunting and trapping in a 50,000- acre wilderness setting. Register at the gate. 140 primitive camping sites available. Extensive seasonal road network.
Finger lakes National Forest: Located east of Seneca Lake in Schuyler and Seneca counties. Small and big game hunting. No special hunting permits required.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge: Located at the north end of Cayuga Lake in Seneca County. This area is open for deer hunting on a controlled basis during both the archery and regular seasons. Permits are required. When deer management permit use is allowed, WMU 8J permits are valid. For current information on seasons, permits, maps and regulations, write:
Refuge Manager
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
3395 Route 5-20 east
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Telephone (315) 568-5987
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge: Located east of Lockport in Genesee and Orleans counties. This area is open for deer hunting during both the archery and regular seasons. Further information is available from:
Refuge Manager
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
1101 Casey Road
Alabama, NY 14013
Telephone: (585) 948-5445
Public Campgrounds
Generally, camping is available during the big game season. However, some services such as showers may not be available. DEC operates 52 public campgrounds in the Forest Preserves. Public campgrounds outside the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves are operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For all public campgrounds, reservations can be made by calling 1-800- 456-CAMP or on line at www.park-net.com More information is available from: NYSDEC, Bureau of Recreation and Field Operations, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5253.
More about Places to Hunt in New York:
- Questions & Answers about Posting under the Environmental Conservation Law - What is posting under the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)?
- Places to Hunt in Region 6 - What public land areas around the Western Adirondacks/ Upper Mohawk Valley/ Eastern Lake Ontario and Tug Hill, in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Oneida and Herkimer counties are good for hunting various small and big game species?
