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Region 5 county guide
Clinton County Hunting
Hunting Clinton County in 2026-27: Northern Zone dates by WMU, DMP selection odds, rifle and setback rules, public land acres by kind, and harvest charts.
Photo: bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0)
Within the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain, Clinton County takes up 1,038 square miles and is run from Plattsburgh. The 2024 Census estimate is 77,871 residents, near 75 to the square mile. Hunters here deal with DEC Region 5; the head office is in Ray Brook. Deer, bear and turkey dates come from WMUs 5C and 5A. State land managed by DEC adds up to near 79,907 acres.
Land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer, population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates, DEC region and offices from the DEC office list, WMUs from the DEC WMU season layer, DEC acres from the NYS DEC Lands layer (GIS measure). Checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Clinton County
How DEC divides Clinton County
WMU 5C takes in 53% of Clinton County, and 5A split the rest. Firearms deer hunting opens with the Northern Zone regular season, Oct. 24 to Dec. 6. Here the permit map shows none allowed in 5C and 5A. Hunters aged 12 to 15 have Oct 10 to Oct 12, 2026 to themselves with a firearm. Report an antlerless deer on a DMP or Bow/Muzz tag and DEC issues a second Antlered Deer Tag (Earn-a-2nd-Buck, new in 2026).
| Unit | Of county | Zone | Bow opens | Firearms | Muzzleloader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5C | 53% | Northern | Sept. 27–Oct. 23 | Oct. 24–Dec. 6 | Oct. 17–Oct. 23 |
| 5A | 46% | Northern | Sept. 27–Oct. 23 | Oct. 24–Dec. 6 | Oct. 17–Oct. 23 Dec. 7–Dec. 13 |
| WMU | DMP target | Success | Res. 1st | Res. 2nd | Nonres. 1st | Antlers | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5C | None by law | — | — | — | — | None | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
| 5A | None by law | — | — | — | — | None | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
WMU 5C · WMU 5A · Every DMP row · Buck rules
Unit shares and dates from the DEC WMU season layer (2026-27); DMP targets and odds from the 2026 DMP table and the guide DMP page; antler, bow-only, bear and turkey units from the 2026-27 guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Every dated hunt touching Clinton County
For Clinton County, 57 season segments cover big game, upland birds, waterfowl and furbearers this license year.
| Species | Season type | Where it applies | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading (deer of either sex) | All WMUs here | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | All WMUs here | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 5A | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 5A | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | All WMUs here | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | All WMUs here | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | All WMUs here | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | All WMUs here | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Lake Champlain Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Lake Champlain Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Lake Champlain goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Northeast goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain goose area | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 23, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain goose area | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 19, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Lake Champlain Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Hunting (Lake Champlain only) | Lake Champlain | Nov 1, 2026 | Apr 15, 2027 | |
| Snapping turtle | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Frogs | Hunting | Statewide | Jun 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
From the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation), WMU lists as printed, checked October 27, 2026.
Clinton County deer numbers since 2007
DEC estimates hunters took 1,614 deer in Clinton County in 2025, 1,241 of them adult bucks. That is 52% above the 1,065 of 2007; the high point was 2025 at 1,614. The 2025 split: 1,241 adult males, 278 adult females, 49 male fawns and 46 female fawns. Mooers produced the most deer of any town in 2019 (187).
| Season | Bucks | Buck fawns | Does | Doe fawns | All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,241 | 49 | 278 | 46 | 1,614 |
| 2024 | 1,137 | 16 | 270 | 16 | 1,439 |
| 2023 | 1,153 | 21 | 181 | 17 | 1,372 |
| 2022 | 1,108 | 49 | 332 | 38 | 1,527 |
| 2021 | 1,056 | 13 | 236 | 8 | 1,313 |
| 2020 | 862 | 24 | 446 | 21 | 1,353 |
| Year | Adult bucks | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,049 | 1,341 |
| 2018 | 1,002 | 1,330 |
| 2017 | 685 | 851 |
| 2016 | 639 | 861 |
| 2015 | 608 | 884 |
| 2014 | 564 | 794 |
| 2013 | 590 | 801 |
| 2012 | 587 | 844 |
| 2011 | 527 | 762 |
| 2010 | 503 | 745 |
| 2009 | 594 | 905 |
| 2008 | 796 | 1,021 |
| 2007 | 782 | 1,065 |
Clinton WMUs in 2022
DEC 2025 deer take by county, earlier Deer Take by Town and County reports and the DEC deer and bear page; WMU and DMP figures from DEC deer reports (2022). Checked October 27, 2026.
Clinton County bear take, turkey dates and duck zones
Bear areas and take
For bear, the county falls in the Adirondacks area through 5C and 5A. Bears may be taken from Sep 19 through Dec 6, 2026, segment by segment. Bear take reached 54 in its best year here. 2025 bear take by unit is in the table; 5C led locally with 46. Bear management goal here: maintain moderate bear density.
Turkey dates
Autumn turkey hunting: 5C and 5A Oct. 1-14, bag one. Spring turkey runs the month of May (May 1 to May 31, 2027) after the Apr 24 to Apr 25, 2027 youth weekend. DEC reports spring take by WMU groups, not counties; Champlain Valley and Transition took about 605 birds in 2026.
| Turkey region | Units | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain Valley and Transition | 5A,5G,5J | 570 | 633 | 605 |
| Central Adirondacks | 5F,5H,6J | 1,318 | 1,280 | 1,335 |
| Northern Adirondacks | 5C,6F | 504 | 496 | 429 |
Waterfowl
Duck zones: Lake Champlain and Northeastern. Canada goose areas: Northeast and Lake Champlain.
| Goose area | Segment | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Sep 1–Sep 25, 2026 | 15 |
| Northeast | Oct 24–Nov 29, 2026 | 3 |
| Northeast | Dec 12–Dec 19, 2026 | 3 |
| Lake Champlain | Sep 1–Sep 25, 2026 | 8 |
| Lake Champlain | Oct 10–Nov 23, 2026 | 3 |
| Lake Champlain | Dec 1–Jan 4, 2027 | 5 |
Where bears are open · Turkey units · Duck zones
Bear areas and dates from the guide bear page; county bear take from DEC Bear Take by Town and County tables; 2025 by WMU and heaviest bears from the 2025 Bear Harvest Summary; turkey dates from the guide turkey page and spring take from the DEC turkey harvest page; waterfowl from the guide migratory bird pages. Checked October 27, 2026.
Clinton County public land with acreage
The map pins 24 tracts inside Clinton County and 5 neighbours just beyond it. GIS counts 53,221 acres of Forest Preserve in the county. The pheasant release program reaches Clinton County. DEC's waterfowl hunting areas map includes spots in Clinton County.
- Wild forests, 3Chazy Highlands Wild Forest (47,589 acres*), Taylor Pond Wild Forest (39,698 acres*), Wilmington Wild Forest (16,940 acres*)
- Conservation easement tracts (1)Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Tract (28,926 acres*)
- State forests, 9 hereChazy Highlands State Forest (5,540 acres), Terry Mountain State Forest (4,814 acres), Dunkin's Reserve State Forest (2,434 acres), Flat Rock State Forest (1,930 acres), Burnt Hill State Forest (1,578 acres), Spring Brook State Forest (1,157 acres), Macomb State Forest (1,057 acres), Moon Pond State Forest (787 acres), Cadyville State Forest (371 acres)
- Wildlife management areas (7)Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area (1,489 acres), Lewis Preserve Wildlife Management Area (1,326 acres), Chazy Highlands Wildlife Management Area (1,003 acres), Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area (730 acres), Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area (671 acres), Montys Bay Wildlife Management Area (318 acres), Imperial Mills Dam (7 acres)
- Forest Preserve detached parcels, 2 hereClinton Forest Preserve Detached Parcel (626 acres), Clinton Mooers Forest Preserve Detached Parcel (450 acres)
- Primitive areas, 1 listedValcour Island Primitive Area (946 acres)
- Unique areas, 1 listedThe Gulf Unique Area (606 acres)
DEC Pheasant Release Sites (statewide program) · DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl (statewide map)
Just past the Clinton County line
- Valley View State Forest19 miles from centre · 75 acres
- Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area21 miles from centre · 716 acres
- Lake Champlain Islands Complex24 miles from centre · 171 acres
- Titusville Mountain State Forest26 miles from centre · 7,169 acres
- Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract27 miles from centre · 19,419 acres
Off-limits to hunters: Great Chazy Boat Launch, Point Au Roche Boat Launch, Crab Island State Park, Cumberland Bay State Park, Macomb Reservation State Park and Point Au Roche State Park.
Land statewide · WMA pages · State forest index · Preserve land
Tracts from our New York land list (DEC property pages, OPRHP, USFWS, USFS and DEP records); acres by kind from the NYS DEC Lands layer and the USFS ownership layer (GIS measures, not official acreages). Checked October 27, 2026.
Weapons and safety rules in Clinton County
Rifle limits in the guide skip Clinton County; the implements map is the final word. The discharge setback is 500 feet for firearms, 250 for crossbows and 150 for vertical bows. Firearm big game hunters must show orange or pink from all directions. Mineral blocks and salt licks count as illegal deer feeding. Sunday is a normal hunting day.
CWD status
DEC keeps testing: 3,050 deer in 2025-2026, zero positive. Out-of-state deer must be deboned before they cross into New York.
| Season | Deer tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 2,967 | 0 |
| 2022-2023 | 2,727 | 0 |
| 2023-2024 | 2,713 | 0 |
| 2024-2025 | 3,189 | 0 |
| 2025-2026 | 3,050 | 0 |
The 12-13 firearm and crossbow deer pilot depends on county opt-in; check DEC's map. DEC junior page
Hunting laws · Disease rules · Youth rules
Rifle areas and setbacks from the guide legal implements map; orange from the guide big game rules; baiting from the general regulations; Sunday hunting from the guide; CWD from the DEC CWD page and the CWD surveillance plan. Checked October 27, 2026.
Clinton County help after the shot
Licenses sell online, by phone and at town clerks and license agents; the license year starts Sept. 1. 22 licensed guides list a Clinton County address. 10 clerk offices sell licenses in Clinton County.
Regional contacts
DEC Region 5 is run from Ray Brook; call (518) 897-1200 for general questions. By straight line, NYSDEC Region 5 Headquarters (Ray Brook) (36 miles) is nearest.
Get a deer cut
For a mount
Gear shops
Offices from the DEC office list; processors from the DEC 2026 processor list and directories; guides and clerks from DEC data.ny.gov lists; shops from directories and store locators. Checked October 27, 2026; call ahead. All New York hunting services.
Clinton County towns and bordering counties
Use a Clinton County town page to see the closest public land by distance.
- Plattsburghcounty seat · 19,758 residents · 3,083 public ac inside 10 mi
- Altona13,785 public ac inside 10 mi
- Chazy3,483 public ac inside 10 mi
- Dannemora2,384 residents · 33,658 public ac inside 10 mi
- Lyon Mountain39,548 public ac inside 10 mi
- Peru11,302 public ac inside 10 mi
- Redford55,286 public ac inside 10 mi
Counties sharing a line with Clinton County: 2 in New York, plus Chittenden (VT) and Grand Isle (VT).
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Clinton County legal hunting light
Deer and bear may be taken from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks and geese close at sunset, and small game runs sunrise to sunset.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:46 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:21 a.m. | 5:57 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:27 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:59 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:24 a.m. | 4:15 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:32 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:46 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 5:16 a.m. to 8:28 p.m. | 5:16 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. |
Hours rule from the DEC guide sunrise and sunset page; sun times calculated for the county centre (NOAA method), checked against the guide’s Albany table; checked October 27, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
On the calendar in Clinton County
As of October 27, 2026, 4 printed results.
Printed results
| Held | Event | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 16, 2026 | New York State Grouse Championship · grouse championship | New York State Grouse Championship winner: Chasehill Wicked Wilma (pointer female; Harley D. McClung, owner; John Stolgitis, handler) | Source |
| Apr 17, 2026 | BraeVal Cover Dog Classic 2026 · cover dog classic | Stake winner: Lightning Flash Remington (setter male; Brian Dix, owner and handler) | Source |
| Apr 18, 2025 | 76th Grand National Puppy Classic · futurity or puppy stake | Stake winner: Grouse Hill Buddy (pointer male; John Capocci, owner; Scott Forman, handler) | Source |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational Championship 2025 · invitational championship | Stake winner: Snyder's Fireside Ed (setter male; Steven Snyder, owner; Tammy Chaffee, handler) | Source |
Clinton County ranges and match dates
Clinton County has 5 listed ranges, all of them clubs, shops or private ranges.
For Clinton County, the nearest public range is more than 60 miles off, so most shooters join a club.
Upcoming here
| When, name | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 8, 2026 / NYS Pistol Permit Qualification 5-9pm ( at Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club | Class | Sign up |
| Nov 22, 2026 / NYS Pistol Permit Qualification 9am-11am (Boise) at Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club | Class | Sign up |
| Dec 6, 2026 / NYS Pistol Permit Qualification 5-9pm ( at Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club | Class | Sign up |
| Dec 12, 2026 / High School Air Rifle Tournament at Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club | Youth | Enter |
| Dec 13, 2026 / High school air rifle tournament 9am till 4pm at Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club | Youth | Enter |
| Dec 17, 2026 / NO ARCHERY – and Christmas Eve at Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club | 3D archery | Register |
Ranges from DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Clinton County hunters ask
Can I leave a tree stand on state land in Clinton County?
Only a portable stand labeled with your name and address or DEC ID, removed at season end; no permanent stands.
Is there a youth waterfowl hunt in Clinton County?
Yes, Sep 26 to Sep 27, 2026 (Northeastern Zone).
What is the DEC phone for Clinton County?
(518) 897-1200; wildlife (518) 897-1291.
Is CWD found in Clinton County?
No. CWD is not known in wild New York deer; the last wild positives were in 2005.
Which WMUs cover Clinton County?
5C and 5A; 5C is the largest at 53% of the county.
Which processors take deer from Clinton County?
Pardy's Custom Meat Cutting and D&D Meats, sorted by distance from mid-county.
Do young hunters follow antler restrictions in Clinton County?
There is no antler restriction here to follow.
When is the DMP deadline for Clinton County?
Oct 1, 2026 for limited units; unlimited units accept applications any time.
How many bears come from Clinton County?
30 in 2022, the latest county table.
How many adult bucks came from Clinton County in 2025?
1,241.
Answers from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, the DMP pages, harvest reporting rules, DEC harvest data and the sources above. Checked October 27, 2026.
Clinton County: before you go
Where this page and the guide differ, follow the guide.
Sources: 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, DEC hunting, Census and the agencies linked in each section. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0); NPS Photo (Public domain); bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0); cm195902 (CC BY 2.0).