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State forest · Region 3
West Mountain State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state forest in Dutchess County, 825 acres.
Photo: Chrisbkes (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to West Mountain State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near West Mountain State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Swamp River Fishing AccessParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Where West Mountain State Forest is and who runs it
West Mountain State Forest sits in Dutchess County, filed as a DEC state forest. Its towns are Beekman and Dover. Region 3 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the lower Hudson Valley. 825 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 409 state forests put it 275th. Unit plan on file: East of Hudson.
The property page says: Hunting and trapping are allowed during appropriate seasons. Various game species and furbearers found on the unit include white tail deer, pheasant, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel.
From DEC west mountain state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around West Mountain State Forest
West Mountain State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to West Mountain State Forest is Depot Hill Multiple Use Area, 4.6 mi away to the southwest. Combined: 5,058 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depot Hill | Multiple use area | 256 | 3G | 4.6 mi | southwest |
| Grape Hollow | State forest | 507 | 3G | 5.4 mi | southwest |
| Great Thicket | Wildlife refuge | 141 | 3G | 7.4 mi | north |
| East Fishkill | Watershed unit | 803 | 3N | 9.1 mi | southwest |
| Great Swamp | WMA | 560 | 3G | 9.3 mi | south |
| Wonder Lake | State park | 1,188 | 3G | 9.4 mi | south |
| Cranberry Mountain | WMA | 1,193 | 3G | 9.5 mi | south |
| North Putnam | Watershed unit | 32 | 3N | 9.6 mi | southwest |
| White Pond | Watershed unit | 197 | 3N | 9.9 mi | southwest |
| Big Buck Mountain | Multiple use area | 181 | 3N | 10.0 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
West Mountain State Forest regulations, plainly
On West Mountain State Forest the DEC state land use rules set the ground rules:
- Nothing may be nailed, screwed or cut on West Mountain State Forest: no permanent stands, natural blinds or shooting lanes.
- Tagged portable stands are fine on West Mountain State Forest for the season (name and address or license number on them), then they have to be removed.
- Personal property cannot be stored on West Mountain State Forest, and that includes trail cameras.
- ATVs and trucks are kept to designated or maintained roads.
- Plan any overnight camp around the DEC camping permit rules.
West Mountain State Forest special rules
- Target shooting is prohibited at West Mountain State Forest pursuant to 6NYCRR Part 190.8 (ab)
State law reminders for West Mountain State Forest
- Fluorescent orange or pink (250 square inches above the waist, or a hat at least half orange or pink) is required for anyone hunting deer or bear with a gun.
- Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, farm building, school, playground or church without permission; bows 150 feet, crossbows 250 feet.
- No baiting for big game, upland birds, turkey or waterfowl, and no salt or mineral licks for deer or bear.
- New York allows hunting on Sundays in every county.
From DEC west mountain state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3G facts for West Mountain State Forest
The WMU map puts West Mountain State Forest in 3G; 3G spans 457 square miles of Dutchess and Putnam. DEC set a 2026 target of 5,200 Deer Management Permits for 3G; average DMP success there runs 6.9%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Southern Zone bear rules cover 3G. The fall turkey window for 3G is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3G | Southern | 5,200 | 6.9% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 3G
3G yielded 1,125 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,178 | 706 |
| 2017 | 1,130 | 704 |
| 2018 | 1,284 | 815 |
| 2019 | 1,326 | 878 |
| 2020 | 1,673 | 825 |
| 2021 | 1,138 | 670 |
| 2022 | 1,125 | 668 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 3G came to 18.
DEC's bear plan for 3G reads "Maintain low bear density".
WMU facts from the 2026 DMP table, the 2026-27 DEC guide, DEC deer take reports and the DEC bear harvest dashboard; WMU from the DEC WMU layer; checked October 27, 2026.
Every season window on West Mountain State Forest
32 species have open dates on West Mountain State Forest this license year; the table holds 47 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3G | 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 | Hudson Valley goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Hudson Valley goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| 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 | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3G | 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 |
Season rows from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, matched to the DEC WMU, duck zone and goose area layers; checked October 27, 2026. All New York seasons.
West Mountain State Forest game species
The source names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant and more on West Mountain State Forest.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC west mountain state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into West Mountain State Forest: parking and maps
Park at one of the 1 access point DEC gives for West Mountain State Forest.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| Parking area is located on the end of Gardner Hollow Rd: 41.6121, -73.6276 | Open map |
Map download: West Mountain State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC west mountain state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
West Mountain State Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Beekman with 85 deer, 57 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beekman | Dutchess | 81 | 70 | 70 | 92 | 85 | 57 |
| Dover | Dutchess | 119 | 123 | 131 | 141 | 136 | 84 |
Bears reported by town: Beekman 2 in 2021; Beekman 1 in 2022; Dover 3 in 2020; Dover 3 in 2021.
Dutchess County deer, 2025: 1,881.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,709 | 939 | 648 |
| 2022 | 1,859 | 1,055 | 676 |
| 2023 | 1,653 | 1,044 | 504 |
| 2024 | 1,695 | 1,077 | 509 |
| 2025 | 1,881 | 1,130 | 602 |
DEC deer take by town and county (towns 2007-2019), county deer take 2021-2025 and DEC bear take by town; checked October 27, 2026.
West Mountain State Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for West Mountain State Forest; the game column adds the big game half hour and the bird column stops at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:46 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:16 a.m. | 6:02 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:51 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:14 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:22 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:21 p.m. | 5:23 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.
West Mountain State Forest: nearby towns and services
Wingdale is the nearest town with its own page, 3.1 mi from West Mountain State Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wingdale | Dutchess | 3.1 mi | – | 3,034 |
| Dover Plains | Dutchess | 8.2 mi | – | 2,405 |
| Putnam Lake | Putnam | 11 mi | – | 4,017 |
| Lake Carmel | Putnam | 12 mi | – | 4,976 |
West Mountain State Forest falls inside these county guides: Dutchess County.
West Mountain State Forest: businesses close by
10 licensed guides are registered in Dutchess County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to West Mountain State Forest
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; businesses from store locators and listings; DEC offices and licensed guide counts from DEC. Checked October 27, 2026.
Nearest public range for West Mountain State Forest hunters
From West Mountain State Forest, Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range is the nearest DEC or government-run range (51 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
West Mountain State Forest in pictures
West Mountain State Forest: short answers
What game is found on West Mountain State Forest?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant, rabbit and hare and squirrel top the list.
How long is spring turkey on West Mountain State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near West Mountain State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When does waterfowl open at West Mountain State Forest?
It is in the Southeastern Zone; split one Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026.
Which town page is closest to West Mountain State Forest?
Wingdale, about 3.1 mi away.
What are the stand rules on West Mountain State Forest?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
How does access work on West Mountain State Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does West Mountain State Forest measure?
About 825 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on West Mountain State Forest?
WMU 3G, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on West Mountain State Forest?
WMU 3G: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on West Mountain State Forest?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 3G).
What are the DMP odds near West Mountain State Forest?
Resident first-permit odds in 3G are high; the target is 5,200.
West Mountain State Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on West Mountain State Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC west mountain state forest · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); nayukim (CC BY 2.0); edenpictures (CC BY 2.0); Skellig2008 (CC BY 2.0).