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State forest · Region 9
Bucktooth State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state forest in Cattaraugus County, 2,281 acres.
Photo: seabamirum (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Bucktooth State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Bucktooth State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.6 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 Bucktooth State Forest is and who runs it
Bucktooth State Forest sits in Cattaraugus County, filed as a DEC state forest. Its towns are Little Valley, Salamanca and Napoli. Region 9 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of western New York. 2,281 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 409 state forests put it 96th. Unit plan on file: Cattaraugus.
The property page says: Hunting is allowed on Bucktooth State Forest. Wildlife habitat is very good due to active forestry management, and forest roads provide good access to these areas for hunting. Be sure to abide by all New York State game laws.
From DEC bucktooth state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Bucktooth State Forest
Bucktooth State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Bucktooth State Forest is Elkdale State Forest, 3.6 mi away to the northeast. Combined: 78,249 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkdale | State forest | 432 | 9R | 3.6 mi | northeast |
| Dobbins | State forest | 1,104 | 9M | 6.9 mi | northeast |
| Rock City And McCarty | State forest | 6,298 | 9M, 9R | 7.4 mi | northeast |
| Cattaraugus | State forest | 1,061 | 9M | 9.0 mi | north |
| Conewango Swamp | WMA | 998 | 9K | 9.8 mi | west |
| Allegany | State park | 64,160 | 9R, 9S | 10 mi | south |
| Pine Hill | State forest | 1,142 | 9R | 10 mi | southwest |
| Poverty Hill | WMA | 971 | 9M | 11 mi | northeast |
| Windfall Creek | State forest | 977 | 9T | 11 mi | east |
| Allegheny Reservoir | WMA | 1,106 | 9R | 12 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Bucktooth State Forest regulations, plainly
On Bucktooth State Forest the DEC state land use rules set the ground rules:
- Nothing may be nailed, screwed or cut on Bucktooth State Forest: no permanent stands, natural blinds or shooting lanes.
- Tagged portable stands are fine on Bucktooth 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 Bucktooth 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.
State law reminders for Bucktooth 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 bucktooth state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 9R facts for Bucktooth State Forest
The WMU map puts Bucktooth State Forest in 9R; 9R spans 218 square miles of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua. DEC set a 2026 target of 2,303 Deer Management Permits for 9R; average DMP success there runs 20.2%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Southern Zone bear rules cover 9R. The fall turkey window for 9R is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9R | Southern | 2,303 | 20.2% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 9R
9R yielded 1,085 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 635 | 452 |
| 2017 | 770 | 587 |
| 2018 | 878 | 568 |
| 2019 | 997 | 653 |
| 2020 | 1,199 | 559 |
| 2021 | 1,032 | 626 |
| 2022 | 1,085 | 541 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 9R came to 22.
DEC's bear plan for 9R reads "Maintain moderate 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 Bucktooth State Forest
32 species have open dates on Bucktooth 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 9R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9R | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9R | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9R | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9R | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9R | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9R | 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 | South goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | South goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 11, 2027 | |
| 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 | WMU 9R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9R | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9R | 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.
Getting into Bucktooth State Forest: parking and maps
Park at one of the 1 access point DEC gives for Bucktooth State Forest.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| There are no designated parking areas on the unit, however roadside parking is available. The state forest is located at: 42.1963, -78.8150 | Open map |
Map download: Bucktooth State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC bucktooth state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Bucktooth State Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Little Valley with 183 deer, 117 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Valley | Cattaraugus | 193 | 142 | 165 | 172 | 183 | 117 |
| Salamanca | Cattaraugus | 52 | 53 | 80 | 72 | 93 | 53 |
| Napoli | Cattaraugus | 184 | 193 | 202 | 254 | 265 | 151 |
Bears reported by town: Little Valley 1 in 2022; Salamanca 1 in 2022; Napoli 5 in 2020; Napoli 2 in 2021; Napoli 1 in 2022.
Cattaraugus County deer, 2025: 9,661.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,728 | 4,112 | 2,907 |
| 2022 | 8,844 | 3,994 | 3,609 |
| 2023 | 7,729 | 3,871 | 2,680 |
| 2024 | 8,337 | 4,672 | 2,822 |
| 2025 | 9,661 | 5,225 | 3,586 |
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.
Bucktooth State Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Bucktooth 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 | 7:06 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:10 a.m. | 6:58 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:37 a.m. | 6:21 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 6:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:12 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:35 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:43 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:11 a.m. | 8:12 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:42 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:12 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.
Bucktooth State Forest: nearby towns and services
Little Valley is the nearest town with its own page, 4.4 mi from Bucktooth State Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Valley | Cattaraugus | 4.4 mi | 1,073 | 12,080 |
| Salamanca | Cattaraugus | 5.0 mi | 5,757 | 14,819 |
| Ellicottville | Cattaraugus | 10 mi | 282 | 17,011 |
| Kennedy | Chautauqua | 14 mi | – | 9,951 |
Bucktooth State Forest falls inside these county guides: Cattaraugus County.
Bucktooth State Forest: businesses close by
4 licensed guides are registered in Cattaraugus County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Bucktooth 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.
Bucktooth State Forest: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Bucktooth State Forest: Auge's Archery, roughly 10 miles. DEC has no firearm range, and no local public range is close.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Bucktooth State Forest in pictures
Bucktooth State Forest: short answers
How does access work on Bucktooth State Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Bucktooth State Forest measure?
About 2,281 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Bucktooth State Forest?
WMU 9R, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Bucktooth State Forest?
WMU 9R: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Bucktooth State Forest?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 9R).
What are the DMP odds near Bucktooth State Forest?
Resident first-permit odds in 9R are high; the target is 2,303.
How long is spring turkey on Bucktooth State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Bucktooth State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Which town page is closest to Bucktooth State Forest?
Little Valley, about 4.4 mi away.
What are the stand rules on Bucktooth State Forest?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
What colors are required at Bucktooth State Forest in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
What time does hunting end at Bucktooth State Forest?
Big game ends 30 minutes after sunset; upland birds at sunset.
Bucktooth State Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Bucktooth State Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC bucktooth 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: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); MSVG (CC BY 2.0); ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0).