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State forest · the Capital District and northern Catskills
What hunters need to know about Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
Rules, WMU 4U season dates, maps and neighbors for a state forest in Columbia County.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
Parking, trailheads and gates near Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.0 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.
What Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests is
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests is a DEC state forest in Columbia County. The DEC page names Austerlitz and Canaan as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 4 property, in the Capital District and northern Catskills. Size: 4,012 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 40 others of the 409 state forests are larger. DEC's own page says 2,018 acres. Management direction comes from the Taconic Highlands unit plan.
From the DEC page for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: Wildlife Management Units : 4U and 4Z Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests are open to hunting during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, bear, turkey, beaver, coyote, and fisher.
From DEC beebe hill and harvey mt state forests; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests hunting rules for 2026-27
The DEC rules for using state forest land, applied to Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests:
- Cutting or damaging trees on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests is prohibited, which rules out screw-in steps and cleared lanes.
- A portable stand or blind that does not injure the tree may stay up during the season if it carries your name and address or license number, and it comes down when the season ends.
- Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests is not a place to leave equipment: cameras and gear go home with you.
- Keep trucks on the maintained roads; an ATV needs a designated trail.
- A camping permit applies when the stay or group size calls for it.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
- In firearm deer and bear seasons, wear the required orange or pink above the waist.
- Setbacks from occupied buildings: firearm 500 feet, crossbow 250 feet, bow 150 feet.
- Do not hunt over bait; New York bans it for big game, turkey, upland birds and waterfowl.
- Sunday hunting is legal everywhere in New York unless a property rule says otherwise.
From DEC beebe hill and harvey mt state forests, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests, and when
This calendar is cut down to Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: its WMU (4U, 4Z), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 4U, 4Z | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | 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 | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 4U, 4Z | 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.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: WMU 4U numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 4U, 127 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Columbia and Rensselaer. Edges touch 4Z. For 4U, DEC aims to issue 300 DMPs in 2026; success averages 18.5% and residents' first-DMP odds are low. The bear area for 4U is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 4U: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4U | Southern | 300 | 18.5% | low | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 4Z | Southern | 2,500 | 12.2% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 4U
In 2022, 4U produced 596 deer by DEC's estimate (482 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 482 | 384 |
| 2017 | 456 | 322 |
| 2018 | 570 | 427 |
| 2019 | 430 | 313 |
| 2020 | 619 | 395 |
| 2021 | 503 | 345 |
| 2022 | 596 | 381 |
Bear harvest in 4U for 2025 was 11, or 8.7 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 4U is to 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.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests game species
Expect white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and coyote on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC beebe hill and harvey mt state forests; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
DEC lists 4 parking or access points for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| East Hill Road Area Parking Area is located on East Hill Road, off NY Route 22. It is an unpaved parking lot that fits 6 cars, or 2 cars with trailers: 42.3261, -73.4399 | Get there |
| Barrett Pond Parking Area is located off of Osmer Road, which is off of NYS Route 22. It is an unpaved parking lot that fits 20 vehicles or 5 cars with trailers: 42.3364, -73.4758 | Get there |
| Fog Hill Road Parking Area is located off of Fog Hill Road, which is off of Osmer Road. It is an unpaved parking lot that fits 20 vehicles or 5 cars with trailers: 42.3412, -73.4722 | Get there |
| Engle Road Parking Area is located off of Engle Road, which is off of NYS Route 22: 42.3342, -73.4927 | Get there |
Map in print form: Beebe Hill Multiple Use Area Map · Harvey Mountain State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC beebe hill and harvey mt state forests; checked October 27, 2026.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests, starting with Hand Hollow State Forest. Combined: 11,851 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Hollow | State forest | 1,139 | 4U | 8.8 mi | north |
| Charles Flood WMA At | WMA | 590 | 4T | 15 mi | west |
| Stockport | WMA | 354 | 4T | 16 mi | west |
| Hudson River Islands | State park | 180 | 4T | 16 mi | west |
| Stockport Flats | WMA | 478 | 4T | 16 mi | west |
| Vosburgh Swamp | WMA | 311 | 4S | 17 mi | west |
| New Baltimore | Detached parcel | 78 | 4S | 18 mi | west |
| Schodack Island | State park | 1,179 | 4K, 4S | 18 mi | northwest |
| New Forge | State forest | 677 | 4Z, 4L | 19 mi | southwest |
| Capital District | WMA | 6,865 | 4L | 19 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests
Austerlitz logged 114 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austerlitz | Columbia | 112 | 140 | 149 | 129 | 114 | 87 |
| Canaan | Columbia | 128 | 108 | 115 | 160 | 92 | 73 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Austerlitz (2020) 5, Austerlitz (2021) 2, Austerlitz (2022) 1, Canaan (2022) 1.
The 2025 deer take for Columbia County was 2,872.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,600 | 1,497 | 931 |
| 2022 | 2,989 | 1,586 | 1,143 |
| 2023 | 2,446 | 1,444 | 772 |
| 2024 | 2,600 | 1,425 | 956 |
| 2025 | 2,872 | 1,558 | 1,042 |
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.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: nearby towns and services
Chatham sits 6.8 mi from Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham | Columbia | 6.8 mi | 1,547 | 5,146 |
| East Nassau | Rensselaer | 14 mi | 516 | 10,675 |
| Copake Lake | Columbia | 15 mi | – | 1,730 |
| Hudson | Columbia | 17 mi | 5,735 | 2,490 |
Open the county guide for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: Columbia County.
Shops that serve Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests hunters
Columbia County is home to 8 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: the nearest DEC offices
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.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: nearest firing lines
For hunters on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests, the nearest public range is Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range in Albany County (34 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: first and last legal light
The DEC guide prints sunrise and sunset for Albany only. The times here are worked out for the centre of Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:46 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:16 a.m. | 6:01 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:31 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:52 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:15 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:23 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:51 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 5:21 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. | 5:21 a.m. to 7:52 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.
The look of Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests country
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
Yes: WMU 4U has a 2026 target of 300 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are low.
What species go with Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
You will find white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, coyote and furbearers on the list.
When does turkey season open on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
WMUs 4U, 4Z is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
What town should I base out of for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
Chatham is 6.8 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
When must I wear orange on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
What do I need to hunt Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What acreage is on file for Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
The record lists 4,012 acres.
What zone and WMU is Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
The DEC WMU layer gives 4U (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMUs 4U, 4Z.
Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Beebe Hill and Harvey Mt. State Forests.
Sources: DEC beebe hill and harvey mt state forests · 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: Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); cazalegg (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).