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Chateaugay State Forest for hunters
Public hunting ground in Oswego County: access rules, WMU 6K seasons, permits, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Chateaugay State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Chateaugay State Forest
- CR2 TrailheadParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Scriba TrailheadParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Little America Car Top LaunchBoat ramp · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Salmon River Fishing AccessParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 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.
Chateaugay State Forest at a glance
The records class Chateaugay State Forest as a DEC state forest in Oswego County. Town lines: Orwell. Regional staff for central New York (Region 7) look after it. Its 4,047 acres come from DEC Lands layer ACRES. That ranks 39th of the 409 state forests on our New York list. Its unit management plan: Eastern Lake Ontario.
What DEC writes about hunting here: The abundance of many game animals makes this a favorite spot for both hunting and trapping. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse can be found throughout the property.
From DEC chateaugay state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Chateaugay State Forest
Open seasons on Chateaugay State Forest this year
44 dated seasons for 30 species reach Chateaugay State Forest, matched to WMU 6K, the Northeastern duck zone and the Northeast goose area.
| Species | Season | WMU or zone | Open | Close | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6K | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6K | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6K | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMU 6K | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6K | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6K | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6K | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 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 | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Northeast goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| 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 | Northeastern Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 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.
Chateaugay State Forest: access and site rules
Hunters on Chateaugay State Forest work under the DEC state land use regulations:
- DEC bars permanent stands on Chateaugay State Forest, along with cut shooting lanes and blinds made from living cover.
- DEC lets a marked, tree-safe portable stand sit on Chateaugay State Forest during the open season; take it home afterwards.
- Do not leave a trail camera or other belongings stashed on Chateaugay State Forest.
- Drive only on maintained roads on Chateaugay State Forest; ATVs are limited to routes DEC designates.
- Check whether your stay needs a camping permit before you pitch a tent.
Rules from the state guide, on Chateaugay State Forest
- Pink counts the same as orange; firearm deer and bear hunters need 250 square inches or a qualifying hat.
- Keep 500 feet from occupied houses and farm buildings with a gun (250 feet with a crossbow, 150 feet with a bow) unless the owner consents.
- Feeding deer or bear is prohibited at any time, and baited areas are off limits.
- Sunday is a hunting day under state law.
From DEC chateaugay state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Where to park at Chateaugay State Forest
Access to Chateaugay State Forest starts at 2 DEC parking points.
| Access point, GPS | Link |
|---|---|
| Beecherville Road and County Route 2 Parking: 43.5742, -75.9616 | Route |
| New Scriba Drive Parking: 43.6009, -75.9649 | Route |
Paper map to print: Chateaugay State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC chateaugay state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Chateaugay State Forest: species list
Game listed for Chateaugay State Forest: white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.
Species from DEC chateaugay state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Deer permits and harvest in the WMU over Chateaugay State Forest
6K is the Wildlife Management Unit over Chateaugay State Forest; it covers 1,161 square miles in Oneida, Oswego and Lewis. 6K gets 6,500 DMPs in 2026. Hunters fill about 18.0% of them, and first-choice resident odds are med. For bears, 6K falls in the Western Periphery area. Fall turkey dates for 6K: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | Avg. success | Chance, resident | APR | Weapons | Bear zone | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6K | Northern | 6,500 | 18.0% | med | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
6K deer numbers
Deer take in 6K: 3,960 in 2016, 5,072 in 2022.
| Season | Deer | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,960 | 2,358 |
| 2017 | 3,580 | 2,248 |
| 2018 | 4,271 | 2,530 |
| 2019 | 4,483 | 2,968 |
| 2020 | 5,300 | 2,854 |
| 2021 | 4,613 | 2,974 |
| 2022 | 5,072 | 2,892 |
Bears taken in 6K: 11 in 2020, 8 in 2021, 12 in 2022, 13 in 2023, 17 in 2024, 18 in 2025.
DEC's bear objective for 6K: 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.
Chateaugay State Forest and the public land around it
Chateaugay State Forest gets the large pin; the closest neighbor is Trout Brook State Forest, 3.3 mi northwest. The listed neighbors hold 22,603 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Unit | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout Brook | State forest | 626 | 6K | 3.3 mi | northwest |
| Stave Mill | State forest | 3,128 | 6K | 3.9 mi | east |
| Lower Salmon River | State forest | 1,749 | 6K | 4.1 mi | southwest |
| Hall Island | State forest | 2,120 | 6K | 5.0 mi | southeast |
| Salmon River | State forest | 2,764 | 6K, 6N | 5.4 mi | east |
| Battle Hill | State forest | 1,730 | 6K, 6N | 5.6 mi | east |
| Sandy Creek | State forest | 538 | 6K | 6.4 mi | west |
| Altmar | State forest | 975 | 6K | 7.2 mi | southwest |
| Little John | WMA | 7,921 | 6K, 6N | 8.1 mi | northeast |
| Kasoag | State forest | 1,052 | 6K | 8.3 mi | south |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Chateaugay State Forest trip planning
From Chateaugay State Forest, Altmar is 5.2 mi by straight line.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altmar | Oswego | 5.2 mi | – | 29,980 |
| Pulaski | Oswego | 8.8 mi | 2,270 | 13,089 |
| Lorraine | Jefferson | 13 mi | – | 34,980 |
| Belleville | Jefferson | 17 mi | – | 12,437 |
The county guide covering Chateaugay State Forest: Oswego County.
Chateaugay State Forest: businesses close by
Licensed guides based in Oswego County: 42, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
Nearest DEC desks for Chateaugay 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.
Local deer numbers for Chateaugay State Forest
In 2019, the final year DEC printed town totals, Orwell came in at 139 deer.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 adult bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orwell | Oswego | 145 | 210 | 179 | 91 | 139 | 89 |
Town bear take: Orwell 2020: 1.
Oswego County as a whole recorded 4,250 deer in 2025.
| Year | Total | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,285 | 2,265 | 1,643 |
| 2022 | 4,776 | 2,571 | 1,655 |
| 2023 | 4,261 | 2,453 | 1,422 |
| 2024 | 4,497 | 2,592 | 1,519 |
| 2025 | 4,250 | 2,316 | 1,546 |
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.
Chateaugay State Forest: nearest firing lines
It is about 4 miles from Chateaugay State Forest to Mad River Club, the closest range on the list.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Chateaugay State Forest shooting hours by key date
Big game legal light at Chateaugay State Forest brackets sunrise and sunset by 30 minutes; migratory birds open 30 minutes before sunrise and stop at sunset.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for big game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:56 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:01 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:09 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:05 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:37 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:59 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:29 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:29 a.m. to 8:05 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.
Chateaugay State Forest in pictures
Chateaugay State Forest FAQ for 2026-27
Which WMU rules apply on Chateaugay State Forest?
WMU 6K; that puts it in the Northern Zone.
What deer season covers Chateaugay State Forest?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026, per the 2026-27 guide.
Is there an early bow season at Chateaugay State Forest?
The first bow window is Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
What is the 2026 DMP target for Chateaugay State Forest?
6K target: 6,500 DMPs.
Which animals are named for Chateaugay State Forest?
The list names white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.
What are the spring turkey dates for Chateaugay State Forest?
Spring season runs May 1 to May 31, 2027; hours end at noon.
When is bear season at Chateaugay State Forest?
Regular Season (Western Periphery): Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
How far is Chateaugay State Forest from a town?
Altmar (5.2 mi).
May I hang a stand for the season on Chateaugay State Forest?
Portable and labeled, never nailed or screwed in; remove it after the season.
What are the blaze orange rules at Chateaugay State Forest?
Firearm deer and bear hunters must wear orange or pink above the waist.
Can I hunt Chateaugay State Forest with just a hunting license?
Yes. It is open to licensed hunters in season, and the fee is free.
What size do the sources give Chateaugay State Forest?
Its size is 4,047 acres.
Chateaugay State Forest: confirm these before you go
Print the Chateaugay State Forest map, carry your license and tags, and read the posted signs at the parking area.
Sources: DEC chateaugay 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: GlacierNPS (Public domain); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0).