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WMA · 2026-27
Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area hunting rules, seasons and access
WMA of 359 acres in Albany County, hunted under WMU 4B dates, for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- South Parking LotParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Bus LoopParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Coeymans Landing Park Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 2.3 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.
Coeymans Creek WMA at a glance
Hunters find Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area, a DEC wildlife management area, in Albany County. DEC places it in the town of Coeymans. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 4, which spans the Capital District and northern Catskills. The acreage used here is 359, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 74 by size out of 119 WMAs.
Hunting section, quoted: Deer hunting is probably the most common activity that occurs on this property. However, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, eastern cottontail, coyote, and an occasional bobcat or bear can also be found.
From DEC coeymans creek wildlife management are; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area
Coeymans Creek WMA: access and site rules
Coeymans Creek WMA is run under the wildlife management area rules in 6 NYCRR Part 51:
- No target practice on Coeymans Creek WMA except where DEC posts that it is allowed.
- No camping without a written OK from DEC.
- Off-road vehicles are allowed only by permit or posting.
- Vegetation stays uncut, and permanent blinds, stands or tree hardware are not allowed.
- Personal property, trail cameras among it, must leave with you; a marked stand can stay for the season.
- Stay out of any section posted "No Trespassing" unless DEC gives written approval.
- Keep fires small and for cooking or heat; boats leave at night.
Laws every Coeymans Creek WMA hunter carries in
- Gun hunters after deer or bear wear orange or pink: 250 square inches above the waist or a mostly orange or pink hat.
- The discharge setback is 500 feet for guns, 250 feet for crossbows and 150 feet for bows from homes, farm buildings, schools and churches.
- Hunting over bait is illegal; scents and lures are allowed.
- There is no Sunday ban in New York; some parks set their own.
From DEC coeymans creek wildlife management are, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Coeymans Creek WMA: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Coeymans Creek WMA (4B); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 4B | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 4B | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4B | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4B | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 4B | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 4B | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 4B | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 4B | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4B | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4B | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 4B | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 4B | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 4B | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 4B | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 4B | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4B | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4B | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4B | 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 4B | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 4B | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 4B | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 4B | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 4B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 4B | 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.
Coeymans Creek WMA and WMU 4B: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Coeymans Creek WMA is WMU 4B ground (Southern Zone, 162 sq. mi. across Albany and Schenectady). The 2026 DMP target in 4B is 3,300, with 9.7% average success and high odds for a resident first permit. Bear area: Southern Zone. Fall turkey here: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4B | Southern | 3,300 | 9.7% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 4B deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 4B 814 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 596 | 318 |
| 2017 | 758 | 405 |
| 2018 | 797 | 415 |
| 2019 | 663 | 387 |
| 2020 | 875 | 479 |
| 2021 | 733 | 360 |
| 2022 | 814 | 419 |
Recent bear numbers for 4B: 2022: 4, 2023: 2, 2024: 3, 2025: 1.
Objective for bears in 4B: incompatible for bears.
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.
Coeymans Creek WMA: species list
Game listed for Coeymans Creek WMA: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and rabbit and hare.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Species from DEC coeymans creek wildlife management are; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Coeymans Creek WMA access points
The DEC directions name 1 place to leave a truck at Coeymans Creek WMA.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Old Ravena Road on the west side: 42.5101, -73.8096 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area Map · DECinfo Locator
Open Coeymans Creek WMA in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC coeymans creek wildlife management are; checked October 27, 2026.
Coeymans Creek WMA pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Coeymans Creek WMA and 10 neighbors; Schodack Island State Park sits 2.3 mi off. The tracts listed total 3,719 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schodack Island | State park | 1,179 | 4K, 4S | 2.3 mi | southeast |
| Louise E. Keir | WMA | 188 | 4B | 4.7 mi | west |
| New Baltimore | Detached parcel | 78 | 4S | 8.6 mi | south |
| Greenville | Detached parcel | 102 | 4S | 9.6 mi | southwest |
| Coxsackie | Detached parcel | 33 | 4S | 11 mi | southwest |
| Hudson River Islands | State park | 180 | 4T | 12 mi | south |
| Charles Flood WMA At | WMA | 590 | 4T | 12 mi | south |
| Vosburgh Swamp | WMA | 311 | 4S | 14 mi | south |
| Stockport Flats | WMA | 478 | 4T | 14 mi | south |
| Black Creek Marsh | WMA | 580 | 4B | 14 mi | northwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Coeymans Creek WMA
The town of Coeymans, where Coeymans Creek WMA lies, produced 238 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coeymans | Albany | 232 | 235 | 259 | 305 | 238 | 135 |
DEC bear tables list 1 for Coeymans (2020), 2 for Coeymans (2021).
DEC puts the 2025 Albany County deer take at 2,962.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,616 | 1,538 | 845 |
| 2022 | 2,827 | 1,558 | 985 |
| 2023 | 2,367 | 1,412 | 711 |
| 2024 | 2,614 | 1,482 | 879 |
| 2025 | 2,962 | 1,698 | 960 |
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.
Coeymans Creek WMA: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Albany, about 11 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | Albany | 11 mi | 101,317 | 2,050 |
| Westmere | Albany | 13 mi | – | 2,050 |
| Chatham | Columbia | 14 mi | 1,547 | 5,146 |
| East Nassau | Rensselaer | 15 mi | 516 | 10,675 |
Season tables by county for Coeymans Creek WMA: Albany County.
Coeymans Creek WMA: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 11 licensed guides in Albany County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Coeymans Creek WMA
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.
Nearest public range for Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area hunters
Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range, 14 miles off, is the public range nearest Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Coeymans Creek WMA shooting hours by key date
East and west matter: sunrise in Buffalo comes about 20 minutes after sunrise in Albany, so use local times for Coeymans Creek WMA.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:47 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:18 a.m. | 6:02 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:54 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:18 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:26 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:52 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:22 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. | 5:22 a.m. to 7:54 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.
Coeymans Creek WMA in pictures
Answers on Coeymans Creek WMA access and seasons
Which WMU rules apply on Coeymans Creek WMA?
Southern Zone, WMU 4B.
Is Coeymans Creek WMA a large property?
359 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Coeymans Creek WMA?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Coeymans Creek WMA?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
What game does the source list for Coeymans Creek WMA?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare and squirrel.
Are antlerless permits issued for Coeymans Creek WMA?
Yes. DMPs are issued by WMU, and 4B gets 3,300 in 2026.
When is bear season at Coeymans Creek WMA?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 4B).
When is spring turkey season at Coeymans Creek WMA?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
Can I use screw-in steps on Coeymans Creek WMA?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
How far is Coeymans Creek WMA from a town?
Albany, about 11 mi away.
How does access work on Coeymans Creek WMA?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
Do I need orange or pink on Coeymans Creek WMA?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a qualifying hat.
Coeymans Creek WMA: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Coeymans Creek WMA can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC coeymans creek wildlife management are · 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: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); ke9tv (CC BY-SA 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).