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What hunters need to know about Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Rules, WMU 7F season dates, maps and neighbors for a wma in Onondaga County and 1 more.
Photo: Russ Nelson (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 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 Cicero Swamp WMA is
Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area is a DEC wildlife management area in Madison and Onondaga counties. The DEC page names Sullivan and Cicero as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 7 property, in central New York. Size: 5,039 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 14 others of the 119 WMAs are larger. Management direction comes from the Cicero Swamp HMP unit plan.
From the DEC page for Cicero Swamp WMA: White-tailed deer , waterfowl, and variety of small game species offer ample hunting opportunities.
From DEC cicero swamp wildlife management area; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Cicero Swamp WMA hunting rules for 2026-27
As a DEC wildlife area, Cicero Swamp WMA carries the Part 51 restrictions:
- Unless signs say otherwise, target shooting is off limits on Cicero Swamp WMA.
- Overnight camping requires a written DEC permit.
- No off-road motor vehicles unless DEC permits or posts it.
- DEC prohibits cutting vegetation and building permanent stands or blinds here.
- Gear left on Cicero Swamp WMA at day end, trail cameras included, breaks the rules; a stand labeled with your name and address or DEC ID may stay overnight until the season closes.
- Respect "No Trespassing" postings; entry needs DEC approval in writing.
- No overnight boat mooring; fires only to cook or keep warm.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Cicero Swamp WMA
- 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 cicero swamp wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Cicero Swamp WMA, and when
This calendar is cut down to Cicero Swamp WMA: its WMU (7F), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 7F | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 7F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 7F | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 7F | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 7F | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 7F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 7F | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 7F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 7F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 7F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 7F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 7F | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7F | 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 | East Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | East Central goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | East Central goose area | Dec 5, 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 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 7F | 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.
Cicero Swamp WMA: WMU 7F numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 7F, 687 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Onondaga, Cayuga and Madison. There is no cap on DMPs in 7F in 2026. The bear area for 7F is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 7F: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7F | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 8.2% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 7F
In 2022, 7F produced 3,681 deer by DEC's estimate (3,970 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,970 | 1,552 |
| 2017 | 3,398 | 1,574 |
| 2018 | 3,959 | 1,711 |
| 2019 | 3,503 | 1,717 |
| 2020 | 3,790 | 1,593 |
| 2021 | 3,210 | 1,530 |
| 2022 | 3,681 | 1,625 |
The bear objective DEC lists for 7F is to maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Cicero Swamp WMA game species
Expect white-tailed deer, ducks and geese and small game on Cicero Swamp WMA.
Species from DEC cicero swamp wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Cicero Swamp WMA
DEC lists 3 parking or access points for Cicero Swamp WMA.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Island Road: 43.1527, -76.0595 | Get there |
| Route 298: 43.1369, -75.9839 | Get there |
| Eastwood Road: 43.1564, -76.0155 | Get there |
Map in print form: Cicero Swamp WMA Map
Parking points and maps from DEC cicero swamp wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
Cicero Swamp WMA and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Cicero Swamp WMA, starting with Oneida Lake Islands WMA. Combined: 14,537 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida Lake Islands | WMA | – | 7F | 5.3 mi | east |
| Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh | WMA | 1,668 | 7F | 6.8 mi | west |
| Green Lakes | State park | 2,211 | 7F | 7.6 mi | southeast |
| Three Mile Bay | WMA | 3,966 | 7F | 8.0 mi | north |
| Stone Barn | State forest | 621 | 6K | 12 mi | northeast |
| Oneida | Detached parcel | 852 | 6K | 14 mi | northeast |
| Camillus Forest | Unique area | 340 | 7F | 14 mi | west |
| Peter Scott Swamp | WMA | 403 | 7A | 14 mi | northwest |
| Klondike | State forest | 868 | 6K | 15 mi | north |
| Three Rivers | WMA | 3,608 | 7A, 7F | 15 mi | west |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Cicero Swamp WMA
Sullivan logged 323 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan | Madison | 273 | 351 | 292 | 336 | 323 | 164 |
| Cicero | Onondaga | 181 | 193 | 191 | 250 | 183 | 72 |
The 2025 deer take for Onondaga County was 4,259.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,767 | 1,746 | 1,609 |
| 2022 | 4,245 | 1,894 | 1,739 |
| 2023 | 3,864 | 1,949 | 1,418 |
| 2024 | 4,002 | 2,118 | 1,426 |
| 2025 | 4,259 | 2,080 | 1,768 |
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.
Cicero Swamp WMA: nearby towns and services
Bridgeport sits 3.5 mi from Cicero Swamp WMA, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | Madison | 3.5 mi | – | 9,863 |
| North Syracuse | Onondaga | 5.1 mi | 6,761 | 11,110 |
| Constantia | Oswego | 8.0 mi | – | 10,847 |
| Syracuse | Onondaga | 9.1 mi | 146,097 | 6,332 |
Open the county guide for Cicero Swamp WMA: Madison County, Onondaga County.
Cicero Swamp WMA: businesses close by
Onondaga County is home to 31 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Cicero Swamp WMA: 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.
Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
DU gun raffle and sportsman show: 2 upcoming events, on site or a few miles off.
Still ahead
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22–24, 2027 | New York Sportsman's Expo 2027 · sportsman show | 9 | Exposition Center Syracuse | Event details | Source |
| Jan 29, 2027 | Region 6-90th Anniversary BENELLI BONANZA · DU gun raffle | 9 | Liverpool | Get tickets | Source |
Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Black Creek Archery Club, 7 miles away, is the nearest range to Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Cicero Swamp WMA: 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 Cicero Swamp WMA and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7:00 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:10 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:28 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:36 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:00 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 5:30 a.m. to 8:34 p.m. | 5:30 a.m. to 8:04 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.
Cicero Swamp WMA in pictures
Cicero Swamp WMA questions, answered from the record
Can I leave a tree stand on Cicero Swamp WMA?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Does the orange law apply on Cicero Swamp WMA?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Cicero Swamp WMA open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Cicero Swamp WMA measure?
The record lists 5,039 acres.
What zone and WMU is Cicero Swamp WMA?
The DEC WMU layer gives 7F (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Cicero Swamp WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 7F.
What is the bowhunting window on Cicero Swamp WMA?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
What species go with Cicero Swamp WMA?
You will find white-tailed deer, ducks and geese and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Cicero Swamp WMA?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Cicero Swamp WMA?
WMU 7F is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Can I hunt ducks on Cicero Swamp WMA?
Duck split one runs Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026 (Southeastern Zone).
How far is Cicero Swamp WMA from a town?
Bridgeport is 3.5 mi away.
Cicero Swamp WMA: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Cicero Swamp WMA.
Sources: DEC cicero swamp wildlife management area · 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: USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0); mbarrison (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).