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State forest · central New York
What hunters need to know about Cliffside State Forest
Rules, WMU 7R season dates, maps and neighbors for a state forest in Tompkins County and 1 more.
Photo: generalising (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Cliffside State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Cliffside State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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.
What Cliffside State Forest is
Cliffside State Forest is a DEC state forest in Schuyler and Tompkins counties. The DEC page names Cayuta and Newfield as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 7 property, in central New York. Size: 963 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 249 others of the 409 state forests are larger. Management direction comes from the New Field unit plan.
From the DEC page for Cliffside State Forest: Many game species, such as white tail deer, fox, turkey, raccoon, and squirrels are found to be quite abundant within the forest's boundaries, making hunting a popular use.
From DEC cliffside state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Cliffside State Forest
Cliffside State Forest hunting rules for 2026-27
The DEC rules for using state forest land, applied to Cliffside State Forest:
- Cutting or damaging trees on Cliffside State Forest 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.
- Cliffside State Forest 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 Cliffside State Forest
- 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 cliffside state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Cliffside State Forest, and when
This calendar is cut down to Cliffside State Forest: its WMU (7R), 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 7R | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 7R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 7R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 7R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 7R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 7R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 7R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 7R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 7R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 7R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 7R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 7R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 7R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 7R | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 7R | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 7R | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 7R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 7R | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 7R | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7R | 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 7R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 7R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 7R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 7R | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 7R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 7R | 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.
Cliffside State Forest: WMU 7R numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 7R, 739 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Tompkins, Tioga and Cortland. There is no cap on DMPs in 7R in 2026. The bear area for 7R is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 7R: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7R | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 9.3% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 7R
In 2022, 7R produced 5,336 deer by DEC's estimate (5,023 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,023 | 2,025 |
| 2017 | 4,322 | 1,891 |
| 2018 | 5,328 | 2,094 |
| 2019 | 4,851 | 2,203 |
| 2020 | 5,716 | 2,355 |
| 2021 | 4,863 | 2,086 |
| 2022 | 5,336 | 2,140 |
Bear harvest in 7R for 2025 was 4, or 0.5 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 7R 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.
Cliffside State Forest game species
Expect white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel and furbearers on Cliffside State Forest.
Species from DEC cliffside state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Cliffside State Forest
DEC lists 1 parking or access point for Cliffside State Forest.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| State Route 224 Access: 42.2560, -76.6733 | Get there |
Map in print form: Cliffside State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC cliffside state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Cliffside State Forest and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Cliffside State Forest, starting with Newfield State Forest. Combined: 26,111 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfield | State forest | 1,453 | 7R | 2.5 mi | northeast |
| Connecticut Hill | WMA | 11,375 | 7R | 5.1 mi | north |
| Mark Twain | State park | 468 | 8W | 9.3 mi | southwest |
| Texas Hollow | State forest | 985 | 8S | 9.8 mi | northwest |
| Robert H. Treman | State park | 1,122 | 7R | 10 mi | northeast |
| Catharine Creek | WMA | 784 | 8S | 11 mi | northwest |
| Danby | State forest | 7,705 | 7R | 11 mi | east |
| Catlin | State forest | 607 | 8W | 12 mi | west |
| Watkins Glen | State park | 794 | 8W | 12 mi | northwest |
| Buttermilk Falls | State park | 818 | 7R | 12 mi | northeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Cliffside State Forest
Cayuta logged 105 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuta | Schuyler | 91 | 90 | 122 | 115 | 105 | 39 |
| Newfield | Tompkins | 419 | 529 | 465 | 509 | 447 | 211 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Cayuta (2022) 3, Newfield (2020) 3.
The 2025 deer take for Tompkins County was 3,398.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,408 | 1,585 | 1,425 |
| 2022 | 3,513 | 1,614 | 1,392 |
| 2023 | 3,150 | 1,568 | 1,152 |
| 2024 | 3,543 | 1,741 | 1,348 |
| 2025 | 3,398 | 1,659 | 1,402 |
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.
Cliffside State Forest: nearby towns and services
Newfield sits 7.0 mi from Cliffside State Forest, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfield | Tompkins | 7.0 mi | – | 21,736 |
| West Danby | Tompkins | 8.0 mi | – | 23,452 |
| Montour Falls | Schuyler | 10 mi | 1,527 | 29,604 |
| Watkins Glen | Schuyler | 12 mi | 1,746 | 29,050 |
Open the county guide for Cliffside State Forest: Schuyler County, Tompkins County.
Cliffside State Forest: businesses close by
Tompkins County is home to 5 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Cliffside State Forest: 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.
Cliffside State Forest: nearest firing lines
Newfield Rod and Gun Club, 5 miles away, is the nearest range to Cliffside State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Cliffside State Forest: 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 Cliffside State Forest and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:57 a.m. | 6:57 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:01 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:12 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:12 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:27 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:35 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:02 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 5:32 a.m. to 8:34 p.m. | 5:32 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.
Cliffside State Forest in pictures
Cliffside State Forest questions, answered from the record
Does the orange law apply on Cliffside State Forest?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
When does legal light start at Cliffside State Forest?
Big game from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; ducks stop at sunset.
Is Cliffside State Forest open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Cliffside State Forest measure?
The record lists 963 acres.
What zone and WMU is Cliffside State Forest?
The DEC WMU layer gives 7R (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Cliffside State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 7R.
What is the bowhunting window on Cliffside State Forest?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
What species go with Cliffside State Forest?
You will find white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel and furbearers on the list.
When does turkey season open on Cliffside State Forest?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Cliffside State Forest?
WMU 7R is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Cliffside State Forest from a town?
Newfield is 7.0 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Cliffside State Forest?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Cliffside State Forest: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Cliffside State Forest.
Sources: DEC cliffside 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: OhLizz (CC BY-SA 2.0); cazalegg (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0).