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The lower Hudson Valley
Rockland County Hunting
Plan a Rockland County season from the unit level up: WMU 3R and 3P dates, antlerless permit chances, antler rules, waterfowl zones, public land acres and DEC Region 3 contacts.
Photo: LukeGordon1 (CC BY 2.0)
From its seat in New City, Rockland County spreads over 174 square miles in DEC Region 3. With 348,144 people in 2024, the county changed +2.9% from the 2020 count. The county falls under DEC Region 3, run out of New Paltz. 2 Wildlife Management Units set the dates: 3R and 3P. Mapped DEC land totals some 88 acres here.
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.
Rockland County deer units and permits
Most of Rockland County (97%) is WMU 3R, with slices of 3P. Regular season dates here are Nov. 21 to Dec. 13, after early bowhunting Oct. 1 to Nov. 20. The 2026 DMP table gives a bonus DMP for each one filled in 3R and 3P. 3R and 3P open early for antlerless deer, Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026. Oct 10 to Oct 12, 2026 is reserved for junior hunters with firearms. A reported antlerless deer earns the 2nd Antlered Deer Tag this year.
| Unit | Share | Zone | Archery | Regular | Muzzleloader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3R | 97% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 3P | 3% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| WMU | Permits | Success | First DMP | Second DMP | Nonres first | Antler rule | Bear | Fall bird |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3R | Unlimited | 7.3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 3P | Unlimited | 5.2% | 100% | 100% | 100% | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 3R · WMU 3P · All DMP targets · APR units
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.
Rockland County hunting calendar by species
Waterfowl rows follow the duck zones and goose areas that DEC maps across Rockland County; upland and big game rows follow WMUs 3R and 3P.
| Game | Segment | WMU or zone | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | All WMUs here | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | All WMUs here | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | All WMUs here | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | All WMUs here | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | All WMUs here | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | All WMUs here | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | All WMUs here | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 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 | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 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 | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Southeastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Southeastern Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | South goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | South goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 11, 2027 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Southeastern 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 | WMU 3P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| Mink | Hunting (Southern Zone only) | Southern Zone | Nov 10, 2026 | Apr 7, 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.
Deer harvest history for Rockland County
Last season Rockland County gave up 279 deer, adult bucks 200 of them. 2015 leads the series with 431 deer, and 2024 trails with 259. Females, adults and fawns together, came to 73. The busiest towns in 2019 were Clarkstown, Ramapo and Stony Point.
| Season | Adult males | Buck fawns | Adult females | Doe fawns | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 200 | 6 | 65 | 8 | 279 |
| 2024 | 198 | 5 | 51 | 5 | 259 |
| 2023 | 195 | 11 | 72 | 7 | 285 |
| 2022 | 219 | 13 | 103 | 10 | 345 |
| 2021 | 185 | 8 | 109 | 11 | 313 |
| 2020 | 253 | 15 | 142 | 18 | 428 |
| Year | Bucks | Total take |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 256 | 400 |
| 2018 | 197 | 306 |
| 2017 | 183 | 341 |
| 2016 | 189 | 340 |
| 2015 | 203 | 431 |
| 2014 | 210 | 358 |
| 2013 | 162 | 305 |
| 2012 | 202 | 347 |
| 2011 | 135 | 262 |
| 2010 | 143 | 267 |
| 2009 | 148 | 319 |
| 2008 | 151 | 261 |
| 2007 | 150 | 283 |
WMU take, 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.
Rockland County beyond whitetails
Rockland black bear
3R and 3P are open for black bear under the Southern Zone rules. Bear segments start Sep 12 and the last one closes Dec 22, 2026. 3R and 3P also have the September early firearms bear season. The most bears in one year was 7, in 2022. Whole-unit 2025 figures: 3R 2; 3P 9. On the bear objective map these units read incompatible for bears and reduce bear density.
Turkey seasons
The fall season, one bird either sex, runs 3R and 3P Oct. 17-30. Youth spring turkey is Apr 24 to Apr 25, 2027, and the regular spring season follows May 1 to May 31, 2027. Turkey take is grouped by DEC area; Hudson Valley is the main one here.
| DEC area | Units | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson Valley | 3F,3J,3M,3N,3P,4B,4J,4K,4S,4T,4Y | 1,437 | 1,511 | 1,639 |
| New York City Transition | 3R,3S | 55 | 17 | 36 |
Waterfowl zones
Use Southeastern zone dates for ducks, brant and snow geese. For Canada geese, check South.
| Goose area | Runs | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| South | Sep 1–Sep 25, 2026 | 15 |
| South | Oct 24–Jan 11, 2027 | 5 |
Bear area map · Turkey seasons by unit · Goose areas
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.
Rockland County tracts open to hunters
Rockland County has 1 listed property open to hunters, led by Harriman State Park (48,911 acres). Only the listed parks allow hunting, each with its own permit.
- State parks with hunting, 1Harriman State Park (48,911 acres*)
Next-door public land
- Salt Hill State Forest11 miles away · 271 acres
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve11 miles away · 1,773 acres
- New Croton (NYC DEP Recreation Unit)12 miles away · 211 acres
- Sterling Forest State Park12 miles away · 19,487 acres
- Stayback Hill (NYC DEP Recreation Unit)13 miles away · 142 acres
Closed to hunting: Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, Blauvelt State Park, Bristol Beach State Park, Haverstraw Beach State Park, High Tor State Park, Hook Mountain State Park, Nyack Beach State Park and Palisades State Park and 4 more.
Land finder · All WMAs · State forest pages
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.
Rules that bite in Rockland County
The legal implements map bars rifles in Rockland County. Setbacks: no firearm discharge within 500 feet of a dwelling, school, playground or church, 250 feet for crossbows and 150 feet for bows. Deer and bear hunters with a firearm, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink, or a hat at least half orange or pink. Hunting over bait is illegal for big game, and so is feeding deer or bear. Sundays are open days for every season.
CWD testing
Statewide surveillance found no CWD in the 3,050 deer checked in 2025-2026. Bring only deboned meat, clean skull caps, antlers, hides and finished mounts from out-of-state deer.
| Season | Tests | Detections |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Local opt-in decides 12-13-year-old firearm deer hunting; DEC posts a county map. Junior hunter rules
Legal reference · Carcass import rules · Young hunters
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.
Rockland County offices and businesses
DEC lists processors who agreed to be named; shops and taxidermists come from directories, so call before you go. Rockland County is home to 6 licensed hunting guides on DEC's list. 5 town or village clerk offices in Rockland County sell sporting licenses.
Agency contacts
Regional DEC staff for Rockland County work out of New Paltz. NYSDEC Region 3 Tarrytown Sub-Office is the closest DEC office, 11 miles out.
Venison processing
Taxidermists nearby
Preserves nearby
Rockland area gun and bow counters
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.
Rockland County towns plus the counties that touch it
Use a Rockland County town page to see the closest public land by distance.
- New Cityseat · 333 ac public, 10-mi ring
Tiles below open each county next to Rockland County; Bergen (NJ) and Passaic (NJ) are in another state.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Rockland County shooting time on key dates
East and west matter: sunrise in Buffalo comes about 20 minutes after sunrise in Albany, so use local times for Rockland County.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for big game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:47 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:17 a.m. | 6:04 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:34 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:51 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:13 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:21 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:55 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 5:25 a.m. to 8:21 p.m. | 5:25 a.m. to 7:51 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.
Rockland County ranges, clubs and shoots
4 Rockland County ranges are listed, and every card says who may shoot.
For a range open to everyone, Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range (Westchester County) is about 19 miles away. Hours and fees
Local match calendar
| Date, shoot | Format | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 9, 2026 / NY Pistol/Rifle License 18-hour Full Course at PS&Ed – Public Safety and Education | Class | Book a seat |
| Nov 21, 2026 / NY Pistol/Rifle License 18-hour Full Course at PS&Ed – Public Safety and Education | Class | Book a seat |
| Nov 22, 2026 / NY Pistol/Rifle License 18-hour Full Course at PS&Ed – Public Safety and Education | Class | Book a seat |
| Nov 29, 2026 / NY Security Guard 8hr Firearms Annual Course at PS&Ed – Public Safety and Education | Class | Book a seat |
| Dec 30, 2026 / Defensive Tactics for Civilians at PS&Ed – Public Safety and Education | Class | Book a seat |
Ranges from DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Rockland County, answered
Must I wear orange in Rockland County?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a hat at least half orange or pink.
How much Forest Preserve is in Rockland County?
None by the DEC Lands layer.
Who cuts deer close to Rockland County?
Start with MJ Amato Farm; the services band lists more.
How does a Rockland County resident buy a hunting license?
Online, by phone, or at a town clerk or license agent; 5 clerk offices sell them in the county.
How many DMPs can one hunter hold in Rockland County?
Up to four applications statewide: two in limited WMUs and two in unlimited/bonus WMUs, plus leftovers from about Nov. 1.
Is there a late muzzleloader season in Rockland County?
Yes: Dec. 14 to Dec. 22, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Is the Rockland County deer harvest going up?
DEC puts 2025 at 279 deer against 259 the season before, a +8% move.
Is any part of Rockland County bowhunting only?
No. Firearms are legal in the regular season in every unit here.
What hours are legal for spring turkey in Rockland County?
Half an hour before sunrise to noon.
Is bear hunting open in Rockland County?
Yes, in 3R and 3P.
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.
Rockland County, last word
Dates on this page are for 2026-27 only; recheck the guide for a later season.
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: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0); Chris Sorge (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0).