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State park · the Capital District and northern Catskills
Cherry Plain State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Rensselaer County: white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Cherry Plain State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Cherry Plain State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 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.
Cherry Plain State Park: size, towns and manager
Listed as a state park with a hunting program, Cherry Plain State Park lies in Rensselaer County. The DEC region is Region 4 (the Capital District and northern Catskills). The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is in charge of access. It measures 150 acres, per NY State Parks Property layer. Size rank: 74th of 83 state parks.
From NYS Parks cherry plain state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Cherry Plain State Park
Cherry Plain State Park hunting calendar
Season windows for Cherry Plain State Park, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 4L and the Southeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 4L | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 4L | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 4L | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 4L | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 4L | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 4L | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 4L | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 4L | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 4L | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 4L | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | 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 | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 4L | 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.
How you may hunt Cherry Plain State Park
Park rules for hunters on Cherry Plain State Park come from 6 NYCRR 372.7(q):
- The park permit decides where, when and with what you may hunt on Cherry Plain State Park.
- Each permit names its own species, areas, implements and season dates.
- Permanent stands and blinds are banned; portable stands need permit approval and must not hurt the tree.
- Stay out of posted Restricted Areas and report your harvest if the park requests it.
New York rules that apply on Cherry Plain State Park too
- Firearm deer and bear hunters, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least half orange or pink.
- Mind the 500-foot firearm setback from dwellings and farm buildings near the boundary.
- Bait, salt licks and mineral attractants are illegal for deer and bear, and feeding them is banned year-round.
- Sundays are open statewide; only a site rule can close them.
From NYS Parks cherry plain state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
How hunting works at Cherry Plain State Park
Implements by species in the Cherry Plain State Park hunting areas:
| Species | Implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | All legal |
| Bear | All legal |
| Turkey (fall) | All legal |
| Turkey (spring) | All legal |
| Waterfowl | All legal |
| Migratory game birds | All legal |
| Furbearers | All legal |
| Small game | All legal |
Permit required, per DEC's parks list. Contact: (518) 279-1155.
What NYS Parks notes for Cherry Plain State Park
- Although Canada Goose hunting is allowed, there are no open hunting areas in contact with the pond, so waterfowl is generally not an option but geese can be taken if encountered in open hunting areas. Contact park office for additional information.
Park page lines on hunting: Deer and small game hunting are allowed in season. Park hunting permit dates are September 1st to August 31st to cover the is required to obtain a park hunting permit. Hunting Permit Procedure for Grafton Lakes, Cherry Plain and Bennington Battlefield Complete and sign the hunting permit (
From NYS Parks: NYS DEC hunting permit dates · hunting license · Hunting Permit Application & Rules · Hunting Permit & Guidelines
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Cherry Plain State Park
Boundary map file: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks cherry plain state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Cherry Plain State Park game species
7 game groups are named for Cherry Plain State Park; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Migratory game birds
Oct 10–Oct 18
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from NYS Parks cherry plain state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 4L rules that reach Cherry Plain State Park
WMU 4L is the unit that counts for Cherry Plain State Park: Southern Zone, 221 square miles, in Rensselaer. 400 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 4L (average success 21.4%; resident first DMP: PP Req). Bear rules in 4L follow the Southern Zone area. 4L fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L | Southern | 400 | 21.4% | PP Req | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
4L: deer by season
The 4L deer take moved from 543 (2016) to 620 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 543 | 439 |
| 2017 | 555 | 398 |
| 2018 | 643 | 479 |
| 2019 | 540 | 411 |
| 2020 | 734 | 467 |
| 2021 | 685 | 523 |
| 2022 | 620 | 383 |
4L bear take by year: 2020 11; 2021 3; 2022 0; 2023 15; 2024 6; 2025 12.
4L bear objective: 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.
Cherry Plain State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Around Cherry Plain State Park lie 10 more public tracts; Capital District WMA is the closest (0.6 mi). Combined: 36,888 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital District | WMA | 6,865 | 4L | 0.6 mi | west |
| Cowee | State forest | 4,908 | 4L | 4.3 mi | north |
| Berlin | State forest | 1,949 | 4L | 5.7 mi | east |
| Taconic Ridge | State forest | 11,036 | 4L | 8.0 mi | northeast |
| Hand Hollow | State forest | 1,139 | 4U | 10 mi | south |
| Grafton Lakes | State park | 2,612 | 4L | 12 mi | north |
| Pittstown | State forest | 2,342 | 4L | 13 mi | north |
| Tibbitts | State forest | 846 | 4C, 4L | 16 mi | north |
| Beebe Hill and Harvey | State forest | 4,012 | 4U, 4Z | 19 mi | south |
| Schodack Island | State park | 1,179 | 4K, 4S | 21 mi | southwest |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Cherry Plain State Park: nearby towns and services
Head to East Nassau, 7.1 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Nassau | Rensselaer | 7.1 mi | 516 | 10,675 |
| Averill Park | Rensselaer | 7.3 mi | – | 11,499 |
| Troy | Rensselaer | 16 mi | 51,065 | 392 |
| Albany | Albany | 20 mi | 101,317 | 2,050 |
County pages that list Cherry Plain State Park: Rensselaer County.
Cherry Plain State Park: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 12 in Rensselaer County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Cherry Plain State Park
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.
Cherry Plain State Park: town and county harvest
Across Rensselaer County, DEC counted 2,796 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,143 | 1,908 | 1,065 |
| 2022 | 3,080 | 1,732 | 1,093 |
| 2023 | 2,695 | 1,604 | 866 |
| 2024 | 2,588 | 1,507 | 878 |
| 2025 | 2,796 | 1,601 | 935 |
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.
Cherry Plain State Park: nearest firing lines
It is about 29 miles from Cherry Plain State Park to Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range, the closest public range. Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Cherry Plain State Park: first and last legal light
Spring turkey hunting ends at noon, fall turkey and upland birds run sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:45 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:15 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 | 7:17 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:53 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:16 a.m. | 4:21 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 4:21 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:24 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:50 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. | 5:20 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.
Cherry Plain State Park in pictures
Cherry Plain State Park: short answers
What species go with Cherry Plain State Park?
Named game: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ducks and geese, migratory game birds and furbearers.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Cherry Plain State Park?
400 DMPs are targeted for 4L, with 21.4% average success.
Is Cherry Plain State Park in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Cherry Plain State Park?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
How far is Cherry Plain State Park from a town?
East Nassau is 7.1 mi away.
What are the duck dates for Cherry Plain State Park?
Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026 for the first split.
What do I need to hunt Cherry Plain State Park?
Hunting is by NYS Parks permit, limited to designated areas.
What does the park permit cover at Cherry Plain State Park?
Species, implements, hunting areas and dates.
Which unit sets deer dates for Cherry Plain State Park?
4L, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Cherry Plain State Park measure?
150 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Cherry Plain State Park?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Cherry Plain State Park?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Cherry Plain State Park: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Cherry Plain State Park before the drive.
Sources: NYS Parks cherry plain state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).