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WMU 4A and more
Montgomery County Hunting
A county brief for Montgomery County: the units DEC uses to set deer and bear dates, 2026 DMP numbers, the duck zone, public tracts with acres, 2025 deer take and the nearest DEC office.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Measured on Census maps, Montgomery County holds 403 square miles of land around its seat at Fonda. Its population stood at 49,648 in 2024 (+0.2% on 2020). DEC manages wildlife here from its Region 4 office in Schenectady. DEC sets dates by unit; here that means 4A, 6R and 6S. About 6,764 acres of DEC ground lie within the line.
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 Montgomery County
Montgomery County unit-by-unit rules
The largest unit here is 4A, about 52% of the county; 6R (29%) and 6S (20%) follow. Expect the bow opener Oct. 1 and the gun opener Nov. 21, as set for the Southern Zone. For 2026 DEC offers capped DMPs across 4A, 6R and 6S. Leftover limited permits appear about Nov. 1 after the Oct 1, 2026 deadline. Junior hunters 12-15 get the youth firearms hunt Oct 10 to Oct 12, 2026 outside bowhunting-only units. New for 2026, filling an antlerless tag earns a second buck tag.
| WMU | County share | Zone | Early archery | Regular season | Muzzleloading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A | 52% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 6R | 29% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 6S | 20% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| Unit | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | Resident 1st | Resident 2nd | Nonresident | Buck rule | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A | 3,000 | 17.4% | High | None | None | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 6R | 6,100 | 12.1% | High | Low | High | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 6S | 4,200 | 17.4% | High | None | None | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 4A · WMU 6R · WMU 6S · Permit table · Antler restrictions
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.
Montgomery County dates from September to May
Montgomery County lies in the Southern Zone, and its WMUs (4A, 6R and 6S) decide the deer, bear, turkey and small game dates. The 49 rows below come from the 2026-27 guide.
| Game | Season | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 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 | East Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | East Central goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | East Central goose area | Dec 5, 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 | 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 | 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.
Montgomery County deer numbers since 2007
Montgomery County ranked 48th of the 56 counties DEC reports, with 1,679 deer in 2025. Since 2007 (949) the county moved +77%, with 2020 on top at 1,863. Adult does numbered 562 against 971 adult bucks. DEC's last town breakdown (2019) has Root, Charleston and Canajoharie as the top three.
| Year | Adult bucks | Male fawns | Adult does | Female fawns | Deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 971 | 61 | 562 | 85 | 1,679 |
| 2024 | 950 | 63 | 532 | 65 | 1,610 |
| 2023 | 974 | 61 | 525 | 57 | 1,617 |
| 2022 | 1,027 | 77 | 665 | 67 | 1,836 |
| 2021 | 992 | 47 | 560 | 53 | 1,652 |
| 2020 | 1,012 | 79 | 685 | 87 | 1,863 |
| Season | Bucks | All deer |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 869 | 1,455 |
| 2018 | 909 | 1,654 |
| 2017 | 920 | 1,678 |
| 2016 | 1,007 | 1,687 |
| 2015 | 801 | 1,393 |
| 2014 | 950 | 1,626 |
| 2013 | 820 | 1,378 |
| 2012 | 867 | 1,391 |
| 2011 | 764 | 1,255 |
| 2010 | 737 | 1,273 |
| 2009 | 743 | 1,331 |
| 2008 | 558 | 1,013 |
| 2007 | 542 | 949 |
Unit numbers, 2022
| Unit | Deer | Adult males/sq mi | DMPs issued | DMP harvest | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A | 2,014 | 2.8 | 2,800 | 564 | 20.1% |
| 6R | 2,191 | 2.1 | 6,300 | 912 | 14.5% |
| 6S | 2,607 | 2.3 | 5,431 | 1,026 | 18.9% |
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.
Montgomery County bear take, turkey dates and duck zones
Bears
DEC opens bear in 4A, 6R and 6S; the area is Southern Zone. Look for bear windows between Oct 1 and Dec 22, 2026. Across 8 years of county tables the total is 27 bears. The 2025 summary credits 6R with 19 bears, the most of the units here. The unit objective reads maintain infrequent bear presence.
Montgomery wild turkey
DEC sets fall turkey here as 4A, 6R and 6S Oct. 17-30. Bearded birds only in spring, May 1 to May 31, 2027; shooting stops at noon. The nearest spring figures are DEC's aggregates: Mohawk Valley came in near 1,005 for 2026.
| DEC turkey area | WMUs | Spring 2024 | Spring 2025 | Spring 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohawk Valley | 4A,5R,6R,6S | 990 | 949 | 1,005 |
Duck and goose areas
Ducks follow the Southeastern zone dates here. Canada geese follow the East Central area dates.
| Area | Dates | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| East Central | Sep 1–Sep 25, 2026 | 15 |
| East Central | Oct 24–Nov 20, 2026 | 3 |
| East Central | Dec 5–Dec 21, 2026 | 3 |
Bear area rules · Fall and spring turkey · Zone descriptions
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.
Montgomery County: forests, WMAs and other land
The 3 Montgomery County listings break down as 3 state forests. Look for DEC pheasant release sites in Montgomery County in the fall.
- State forests in Montgomery (3)Charleston State Forest (4,032 ac*), Rural Grove State Forest and Yatesville Falls State Forest (1,999 ac), Lost Valley State Forest (748 ac)
DEC Pheasant Release Sites (statewide program)
Tracts in bordering counties
- Rockwood State Forest11 miles distant · 864 ac
- Johnstown Forest Preserve Detached Parcel12 miles distant · 135 ac
- Peck Hill State Forest12 miles distant · 2,744 ac
- Lassellsville State Forest15 miles distant · 2,257 ac
- Honey Hill State Forest16 miles distant · 1,015 ac
Leave Guy Park State Historic Site and Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site out of the plan; hunting is not allowed there.
Land by type · Wildlife management areas · State forests
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.
Montgomery County legal implements and disease rules
Nothing in the guide's no-rifle list covers Montgomery County. State setbacks: guns 500 ft, crossbows 250 ft, bows 150 ft from homes and schools. Junior hunters and their mentors must wear orange or pink with a firearm or crossbow. Scents and lures are fine; bait and feed for deer or bear are not. You may hunt on Sundays in all areas.
CWD rules
No wild deer has tested positive since 2005; 71,973 have been tested in all. Importing an intact head or whole carcass of any deer from another state is illegal.
| Year | Tested | CWD found |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Whether 12- and 13-year-olds can hunt deer with a gun here depends on a local opt-in law shown on DEC's map. Junior hunting
State law summary · CWD details · Youth hunts
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.
Montgomery County DEC offices, processors and shops
Businesses in Montgomery County come first; the nearest in bordering counties fill each group. Licensed guides based in Montgomery County: 6, per DEC. DEC lists 9 municipal license agents in Montgomery County.
DEC offices for Montgomery County
The Region 4 headquarters in Schenectady answers at (518) 357-2234. Drive about 24 miles to reach NYSDEC Region 4 Headquarters (Schenectady).
Meat processing
Taxidermists
Guide services and preserves
Hunting 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.
Montgomery County town guides and neighbours
Use a Montgomery County town page to see the closest public land by distance.
- Fondaseat of government · 691 people · 8,943 ac of hunting ground near
- St. Johnsville1,711 people · 9,703 ac of hunting ground near
The Census adjacency file pairs Montgomery County with 6 New York neighbours.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Montgomery County legal hunting light
The DEC guide prints sunrise and sunset for Albany only. The times here are worked out for the centre of Montgomery County and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:53 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:21 a.m. | 6:03 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:57 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:21 a.m. | 4:24 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:24 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:28 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 4:33 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 7:57 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.
Montgomery County hunting dates and results
Listed for this county: 2 upcoming events (NWTF chapter banquet and novice pheasant hunt).
Dated ahead
| On | Listing | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2026 | Canajoharie Forest Fish and Game and Capital Region Pheasants Forever Women and Novice Pheasant Hunt · novice pheasant hunt | Canajoharie Forest Fish and Game Association Inc | Reserve a spot | Source |
| Mar 19, 2027 | Mohawk Valley Sharp Spurs NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | Amsterdam | Get tickets | Source |
Montgomery County ranges and match dates
The guide counts 1 range in Montgomery County, from rod and gun clubs to indoor bays and archery.
Among DEC and government-run ranges, Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range is closest, about 28 miles from the county center. Full page
Ranges from DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Montgomery County hunters ask
Where does Montgomery County rank for deer?
It placed 48th among the 56 counties DEC reports for 2025, with 1,679 deer.
Is there an early bear season in Montgomery County?
No early firearms bear season here.
How many spring gobblers can I take in Montgomery County?
Two bearded birds, no more than one a day.
Can I hunt brant in Montgomery County?
Yes, Oct 10 to Nov 8, 2026 (Southeastern Zone).
How many state forest acres are in Montgomery County?
About 6,764 acres by GIS.
How far from a house can I shoot in Montgomery County?
500 feet with a firearm, 250 with a crossbow and 150 with a bow, unless the owner consents.
What is the DEC phone for Montgomery County?
(518) 357-2234; wildlife (518) 357-2355.
Which processors take deer from Montgomery County?
Butcher Block Custom Meat, Whitey's Deli, Meat, & Beverage-Edwards Meats and Marlow Meat Processing, sorted by distance from mid-county.
When does regular deer season open in Montgomery County?
Nov. 21 in the Southern Zone units; it runs Nov. 21 to Dec. 13.
Can I get a DMP in Montgomery County?
In 4A, 6R and 6S, yes, with a 2026 target; apply through DECALS or HuntFishNY.
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.
Montgomery County checks before the drive
Get permission before hunting private land in Montgomery County, and know where the 500-foot setback starts.
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); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0); MSVG (CC BY 2.0); Mike's Birds (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0).