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2026-27 · Northern Zone
Warren County Hunting
Everything county-level for Warren 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: dianecordell (CC BY 2.0)
The Census Gazetteer gives Warren County 867 square miles of dry land; Queensbury is the county seat. The 2024 Census estimate is 65,288 residents, near 75 to the square mile. Region 5 of DEC, based in Ray Brook, covers the county. Seasons follow WMU lines, and 5H, 5G and 5J reach into the county. The DEC Lands layer measures roughly 207,493 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.
Warren County deer units and permits
Unit shares: 5H 46%; 5G 45%; 5J 10%. The Northern Zone calendar applies: bows Sept. 27 to Oct. 23, guns Oct. 24 to Dec. 6. DMP availability breaks down as no DMP by statute in 5H, 5G and 5J. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5H | 46% | Northern | Sept. 27–Oct. 23 | Oct. 24–Dec. 6 | Oct. 17–Oct. 23 |
| 5G | 45% | Northern | Sept. 27–Oct. 23 | Oct. 24–Dec. 6 | Oct. 17–Oct. 23 Dec. 7–Dec. 13 |
| 5J | 10% | Northern | Sept. 27–Oct. 23 | Oct. 24–Dec. 6 | Oct. 17–Oct. 23 Dec. 7–Dec. 13 |
| Unit | Target 2026 | Avg success | Res. first | Res. second | Nonres. first | Bucks | Bear | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5H | None by law | — | — | — | — | None | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
| 5G | None by law | — | — | — | — | None | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
| 5J | None by law | — | — | — | — | None | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
WMU 5H · WMU 5G · WMU 5J · 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 Warren County
State land and private land share these dates in Warren County; refuges, Fort Drum and some parks add their own permits.
| Animal | Hunt | Unit | Starts | Ends | Open 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 | WMUs 5G, 5J | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 5G, 5J | 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.
Warren County deer take by year
927 deer is DEC's 2025 figure for Warren County, 52nd of 56. From 881 in 2007 to 927 in 2025 is a +5% change. By sex and age: bucks 740, does 146, fawns 41. In the 2019 town table Johnsburg tops the county with 163 deer.
| Year | Adult males | Male fawns | Adult females | Female fawns | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 740 | 20 | 146 | 21 | 927 |
| 2024 | 692 | 5 | 137 | 5 | 839 |
| 2023 | 743 | 14 | 144 | 7 | 908 |
| 2022 | 702 | 28 | 207 | 24 | 961 |
| 2021 | 687 | 4 | 149 | 1 | 841 |
| 2020 | 717 | 16 | 325 | 12 | 1,070 |
| Season | Antlered adults | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 783 | 953 |
| 2018 | 712 | 957 |
| 2017 | 690 | 802 |
| 2016 | 629 | 810 |
| 2015 | 546 | 783 |
| 2014 | 474 | 640 |
| 2013 | 608 | 860 |
| 2012 | 642 | 831 |
| 2011 | 495 | 682 |
| 2010 | 492 | 661 |
| 2009 | 430 | 609 |
| 2008 | 722 | 922 |
| 2007 | 637 | 881 |
By unit, latest year
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.
Warren County: bear areas, turkey and geese
Black bear
Black bear seasons reach 5H, 5G and 5J, part of the Adirondacks area. 2 bear season segments apply, the first opening Sep 19, 2026. In 2022, the last county table, 26 bears were reported. Of 1,759 bears taken in New York in 2025, 156 came from the units that cover the county. DEC's population objective for these units: maintain moderate bear density.
| Unit | Early | Bowhunting | Muzzleloading | Regular | Youth | Total | Per 100 sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5H | — | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 93 | 3.1 |
| 5G | — | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 43 | 3.9 |
| 5J | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 3.0 |
Wild turkey
For fall birds: 5H, 5G and 5J Oct. 1-14. May belongs to gobblers: May 1 to May 31, 2027, with hunting hours ending at noon. Champlain Valley and Transition spring take: about 605 in 2026, by DEC estimate.
| Aggregate | WMUs | Take 2024 | Take 2025 | Take 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain Valley and Transition | 5A,5G,5J | 570 | 633 | 605 |
| Central Adirondacks | 5F,5H,6J | 1,318 | 1,280 | 1,335 |
Ducks and geese
The duck zone here is Northeastern and Lake Champlain. Goose areas covering the county: Northeast and Lake Champlain.
| Area | Window | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Warren County public land with acreage
Open ground in Warren County spans 7 records: 3 wild forests, 2 wilderness areas, 1 state forest and 1 state parks with hunting. The Forest Preserve share is near 206,921 acres: wild forests, wilderness and detached parcels. Park hunting runs on park permits; unlisted parks are closed. DEC maps public waterfowl hunting spots in Warren County.
- Wild forests (3)Wilcox Lake Wild Forest (127,860 ac*), Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest (96,577 ac*), Lake George Wild Forest (76,871 ac*)
- Wilderness areas, 2 listedSiamese Ponds Wilderness (115,124 ac*), Pharaoh Lake Wilderness (46,814 ac*)
- State parks with hunting: 1Moreau Lake State Park (6,640 ac*)
- State forests: 1Ralph Road State Forest (544 ac)
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl (statewide map)
Beyond Warren County
- The Saddles State Forest20 miles out · 2,472 ac
- Dolph Pond State Forest20 miles out · 727 ac
- Maple Bend Island Wildlife Management Area22 miles out · 451 ac
- East Bay Wildlife Management Area23 miles out · 39 ac
- Hudson Gorge Wilderness24 miles out · 24,534 ac
Public land hub · WMA index · All state forests · Adirondack and Catskill units
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.
Warren County rules: rifles, setbacks and CWD
Warren 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.
Warren County offices and businesses
Distances are straight lines from the Warren County centre point. The DEC guide license list shows 23 in Warren County. You can buy a license at 7 municipal clerks in Warren County.
Warren wildlife staff
Questions about Warren County go to DEC Region 5 in Ray Brook. Closest DEC door: NYSDEC Region 5 Warrensburg Sub-Office in Warrensburg.
Processors near the county
Taxidermy shops
Guide businesses
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.
Warren County towns and bordering counties
Use a Warren County town page to see the closest public land by distance.
- Lake George1,007 inhabitants · 16,127 acres of open land in 10 mi
- North Creek76,806 acres of open land in 10 mi
- Pottersville55,861 acres of open land in 10 mi
Warren County borders 4 New York counties.
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Warren County shooting time on key dates
Big game legal light at Warren 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 | 6:47 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:56 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:21 a.m. | 4:19 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:19 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:28 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:49 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 5:19 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 5:19 a.m. to 7:56 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.
Warren County ranges and match dates
5 ranges in Warren County are on this list.
The closest public range is in Saratoga County: Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Archery Range, 31 miles off. See the range
Ranges from DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Warren County FAQ
How many licensed guides live in Warren County?
23, per DEC's licensed guide list.
Which meat cutter is handiest for Warren County hunters?
Rozell Deer Processing, by straight-line distance.
Do WMU lines or the county line set Warren 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 5H?
NA on average, per DEC.
Is any part of Warren County bowhunting only?
No. Firearms are legal in the regular season in every unit here.
Which town in Warren County produces the most deer?
Johnsburg, with 163 in 2019, the last town table.
Which bear area is Warren County in?
Adirondacks.
How many fall turkeys can I take in Warren County?
One bird of either sex.
Do I need HIP to hunt ducks in Warren County?
Yes. HIP registration and a federal duck stamp are required for waterfowl.
How much Forest Preserve is in Warren County?
About 206,921 acres by GIS.
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 Warren 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: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).