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2026-27 · Southern Zone
Steuben County Hunting
Everything county-level for Steuben County: WMU shares and season windows, Deer Management Permit targets, bear take by year, spring turkey numbers, CWD testing and where to get a deer processed.
Photo: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Census Gazetteer gives Steuben County 1,391 square miles of dry land; Bath is the county seat. The 2024 Census estimate is 92,015 residents, near 66 to the square mile. Region 8 of DEC, based in Avon, covers the county. Seasons follow WMU lines, and 8T, 8X, 8P, 8W, 8Y and 8R reach into the county. The DEC Lands layer measures roughly 28,547 acres of state land in the county.
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.
Steuben County deer units and permits
Unit shares: 8T 27%; 8X 25%; 8P 24%; 8W 12%. The Southern Zone calendar applies: bows Oct. 1 to Nov. 20, guns Nov. 21 to Dec. 13. DMP availability breaks down as limited antlerless permits in 8T, 8X, 8P, 8W and 8Y and unlimited bonus DMPs in 8R. Apply for limited units between Aug 3 and Oct 1; any leftovers follow in early November. An early antlerless hunt, Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026, reaches 8R. A youth firearms deer and bear hunt runs Oct 10 to Oct 12, 2026. Buck number two requires an antlerless deer first under the 2026 rule.
| WMU | Share | Zone | Early bow | Regular | Muzzleloader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8T | 27% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 8X | 25% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 8P | 24% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 8W | 12% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 8Y | 6% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| 8R | 4% | Southern | Oct. 1–Nov. 20 | Nov. 21–Dec. 13 | Dec. 14–Dec. 22 Dec. 26–Jan. 1 |
| Unit | Target 2026 | Avg success | Res. first | Res. second | Nonres. first | Bucks | Bear | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8T | 7,500 | 23.1% | High | High | High | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 8X | 13,600 | 18.2% | High | High | High | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 8P | 6,800 | 18.1% | High | High | High | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 8W | 8,000 | 19.2% | High | High | High | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 8Y | 8,700 | 15.0% | High | High | High | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 8R | Unlimited | 15.8% | 100% | 100% | 100% | None | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 8T · WMU 8X · WMU 8P · WMU 8W · WMU 8Y · WMU 8R · DMP odds statewide · Antler restriction map
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.
Season windows that cover Steuben County
State land and private land share these dates in Steuben County; refuges, Fort Drum and some parks add their own permits.
| Animal | Hunt | Unit | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 8R | 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 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 | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | All WMUs here | Oct 17, 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 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 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 | Western Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Western Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Western Zone | Dec 22, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September season | West Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 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 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | West Central goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Western Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Western Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Western Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Western Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 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 | WMUs 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y | 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.
Steuben County deer take by year
15,913 deer is DEC's 2025 figure for Steuben County, 1st of 56. From 12,796 in 2007 to 15,913 in 2025 is a +24% change. By sex and age: bucks 7,730, does 6,609, fawns 1,574. In the 2019 town table Bath tops the county with 812 deer.
| Year | Adult males | Male fawns | Adult females | Female fawns | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7,730 | 728 | 6,609 | 846 | 15,913 |
| 2024 | 7,787 | 938 | 5,922 | 948 | 15,595 |
| 2023 | 6,949 | 1,353 | 4,762 | 1,231 | 14,295 |
| 2022 | 7,036 | 903 | 4,813 | 835 | 13,587 |
| 2021 | 6,380 | 739 | 5,245 | 637 | 13,001 |
| 2020 | 6,546 | 1,049 | 6,881 | 976 | 15,452 |
| Season | Antlered adults | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7,508 | 13,240 |
| 2018 | 5,907 | 11,829 |
| 2017 | 5,790 | 10,342 |
| 2016 | 5,025 | 9,729 |
| 2015 | 4,987 | 9,971 |
| 2014 | 4,834 | 10,539 |
| 2013 | 4,840 | 10,650 |
| 2012 | 5,562 | 11,524 |
| 2011 | 5,172 | 11,030 |
| 2010 | 5,120 | 11,485 |
| 2009 | 5,126 | 11,917 |
| 2008 | 5,326 | 13,572 |
| 2007 | 5,657 | 12,796 |
By unit, latest year
| Unit | 2022 take | Bucks per sq mi | Issued | Filled | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8T | 3,957 | 5.2 | 4,200 | 1,099 | 26.2% |
| 8X | 5,512 | 5.8 | 12,500 | 2,583 | 20.7% |
| 8P | 2,686 | 4.2 | 4,000 | 835 | 20.9% |
| 8W | 3,174 | 4.1 | 4,473 | 1,039 | 23.2% |
| 8Y | 2,633 | 3.9 | 6,200 | 1,054 | 17.0% |
| 8R | 4,488 | 6.0 | 16,208 | 2,649 | 16.3% |
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.
Steuben County: bear areas, turkey and geese
Black bear
Black bear seasons reach 8T, 8X, 8P, 8W, 8Y and 8R, part of the Southern Zone area. 5 bear season segments apply, the first opening Oct 1, 2026. In 2022, the last county table, 46 bears were reported. Of 1,759 bears taken in New York in 2025, 136 came from the units that cover the county. DEC's population objective for these units: maintain low bear density and maintain moderate bear density. Woodhull produced the No. 4 heaviest bear of 2025, 528 pounds dressed.
| Unit | Early | Bowhunting | Muzzleloading | Regular | Youth | Total | Per 100 sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8T | — | 20 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 37 | 9.6 |
| 8X | — | 24 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 40 | 10.0 |
| 8P | — | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 3.1 |
| 8W | — | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 3.6 |
| 8Y | — | 16 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 29 | 8.2 |
| 8R | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1.1 |
Wild turkey
For fall birds: 8T, 8X, 8P, 8W, 8Y and 8R Oct. 17-30. May belongs to gobblers: May 1 to May 31, 2027, with hunting hours ending at noon. Central Appalachian Plateau spring take: about 1,560 in 2026, by DEC estimate.
| Aggregate | WMUs | Take 2024 | Take 2025 | Take 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Appalachian Plateau | 8T,8W,8X,8Y | 1,295 | 1,582 | 1,560 |
| North Appalachian Hills | 8M,8N,8P,8R,8S,9G,9H | 2,010 | 2,044 | 2,025 |
| West Appalachian Plateau | 9J,9K,9M,9N,9P,9R,9S,9T,9W,9X,9Y | 3,728 | 3,586 | 3,897 |
Ducks and geese
The duck zone here is Western. Goose areas covering the county: West Central and South.
| Area | Window | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| West Central | Sep 1–Sep 25, 2026 | 15 |
| West Central | Nov 7–Dec 21, 2026 | 3 |
| South | Sep 1–Sep 25, 2026 | 15 |
| South | Oct 24–Jan 11, 2027 | 5 |
Bear areas statewide · Turkey area map · Waterfowl zone map
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.
Steuben County ground the public can hunt
Open ground in Steuben County spans 27 records: 22 state forests, 4 wildlife management areas and 1 state parks with hunting. Park hunting runs on park permits; unlisted parks are closed. DEC releases pheasants at sites in Steuben County; the program page lists them.
- State forests: 22Birdseye Hollow State Forest (3,496 ac), Urbana State Forest (2,706 ac), Cameron State Forest (1,966 ac), Moss Hill State Forest (1,856 ac), South Bradford State Forest (1,818 ac), Cinnamon Lake State Forest (1,772 ac*), Canacadea State Forest (1,632 ac), McCarthy Hill State Forest (1,516 ac), Meads Creek State Forest (1,418 ac), Dry Run State Forest (1,330 ac*), Pigtail Hollow State Forest (995 ac), Greenwood State Forest (911 ac), West Hill State Forest (895 ac), Rock Creek State Forest (704 ac), Turkey Ridge State Forest (683 ac), Tracy Creek State Forest, Steuben County (568 ac), Cameron Mills State Forest (544 ac), Beaver Dams State Forest, Schuyler County (532 ac*), Erwin Hollow State Forest (529 ac), Erwin Mountain State Forest (503 ac), Mount Washington State Forest (442 ac), Burt Hill State Forest (398 ac)
- Wildlife management areas, 4 listedErwin Wildlife Management Area (2,770 ac), West Cameron Wildlife Management Area (165 ac), Cold Brook Wildlife Management Area (143 ac), Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area (126 ac)
- State parks with hunting: 1Stony Brook State Park (548 ac)
DEC Pheasant Release Sites (statewide program)
Beyond Steuben County
- Goundry Hill State Forest16 miles out · 2,107 ac
- Waneta-Lamoka Wildlife Management Area18 miles out · 160 ac
- Coon Hollow State Forest20 miles out · 2,496 ac
- Sugar Hill State Forest20 miles out · 9,213 ac
- Bully Hill State Forest22 miles out · 3,563 ac
Do not hunt Indian Hills State Golf Course; DEC or the owner closes it.
Public land hub · WMA index · All 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.
Steuben County rules: rifles, setbacks and CWD
Steuben County is absent from the guide's rifle restriction list. Keep 500 feet from occupied buildings with a gun, 250 with a crossbow and 150 with a bow. Fluorescent pink counts the same as orange for the 250-square-inch rule. Bait stays out of the woods: the deer and bear feeding ban runs year-round. Old county Sunday bans no longer apply.
Disease watch
The 2025-2026 sample (3,050 deer) was clean, and no containment area exists in 2026. The CWD carcass import ban covers deer, elk, moose and caribou taken anywhere outside the state.
| Year | 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 |
Hunters aged 12 and 13 may use a firearm or crossbow for deer only where the county opted in; DEC shows those counties on a map. County opt-in map
Law summary · CWD page · Youth seasons
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.
Steuben County offices and businesses
Distances are straight lines from the Steuben County centre point. The DEC guide license list shows 4 in Steuben County. You can buy a license at 28 municipal clerks in Steuben County.
Steuben wildlife staff
Questions about Steuben County go to DEC Region 8 in Avon. Closest DEC door: NYSDEC Region 8 Bath Sub-Office in Bath.
Processors near the county
Taxidermy shops
Sporting goods
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.
Steuben County towns plus the counties that touch it
Use a Steuben County town page to see the closest public land by distance.
- Bathseat town · 5,512 inhabitants · 11,490 acres of open land in 10 mi
- Gang Mills11,892 acres of open land in 10 mi
- Hammondsport571 inhabitants · 13,065 acres of open land in 10 mi
- Savona671 inhabitants · 20,040 acres of open land in 10 mi
- Almondpartly in county · 396 inhabitants · 27,644 acres of open land in 10 mi
Steuben County borders 6 New York counties and Potter (PA) and Tioga (PA) across the state line.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Steuben County legal hunting light
Big game legal light at Steuben County brackets sunrise and sunset by 30 minutes; migratory birds open 30 minutes before sunrise and stop at sunset.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Big game | Ducks and geese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:01 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:05 a.m. | 6:53 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 6:53 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:32 a.m. | 6:16 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 6:16 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:07 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:38 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:06 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 5:36 a.m. to 8:37 p.m. | 5:36 a.m. to 8:07 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.
Steuben County: dinners, courses and hunts
2 upcoming events listed. Kinds: NWTF chapter banquet and novice pheasant hunt.
Booked dates
| Held on | Event | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Corning Fish and Game Novice Pheasant Hunt · novice pheasant hunt | Addison | Reserve a spot | Source |
| Apr 2, 2027 | Cohocton Valley NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | Hornell | Get tickets | Source |
Steuben County ranges, clubs and shoots
6 ranges in Steuben County are on this list.
No government-run range sits within 60 miles of Steuben County’s center, and DEC has no firearm range anywhere.
Dates in this county
| Day and event | Discipline | Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2027 / Avoca CSD Bullseye- NYS Qualifier | NASP | Club page |
| Feb 6, 2027 / Arkport State Qualifier Bullseye Tournament | NASP | Club page |
Ranges from DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Steuben County FAQ
Which town in Steuben County produces the most deer?
Bath, with 812 in 2019, the last town table.
Which bear area is Steuben County in?
Southern Zone.
How many fall turkeys can I take in Steuben County?
One bird of either sex.
Do I need HIP to hunt ducks in Steuben County?
Yes. HIP registration and a federal duck stamp are required for waterfowl.
How much Forest Preserve is in Steuben County?
None by the DEC Lands layer.
Must I wear orange in Steuben 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 many licensed guides live in Steuben County?
4, per DEC's licensed guide list.
Which meat cutter is handiest for Steuben County hunters?
Big T Processing, by straight-line distance.
Do WMU lines or the county line set Steuben County dates?
WMU lines. Each unit carries its own dates, and several units reach into the county.
What is the DMP success rate in WMU 8T?
23.1% on average, per DEC.
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.
Heading to Steuben County
Carry your license and tags afield, paper or electronic, and report within the deadline.
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: Mary Witzig (CC BY 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); David A Mitchell (CC BY 2.0); DenaliNPS (CC BY 2.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0).