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Colgate Lake Wild Forest for hunters
Public hunting ground in Greene County: access rules, WMU 3A seasons, permits, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Colgate Lake Wild Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Colgate Lake Wild Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 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.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest at a glance
The records class Colgate Lake Wild Forest as a Forest Preserve wild forest in Greene County. Town lines: Hunter and Jewett. Regional staff for the Capital District and northern Catskills (Region 4) look after it. Its 1,500 acres come from DEC Lands layer ACRES. That ranks 32nd of the 35 wild forests on our New York list. Its unit management plan: Colgate Lake.
What DEC writes about hunting here: Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, bear, beaver, bobcat, coyote, and fisher.
From DEC colgate lake wild forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Colgate Lake Wild Forest
Open seasons on Colgate Lake Wild Forest this year
48 dated seasons for 32 species reach Colgate Lake Wild Forest, matched to WMU 3A, the Southeastern duck zone and the South goose area.
| Species | Season | WMU or zone | Open | Close | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMU 3A | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3A | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3A | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3A | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3A | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3A | 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 | 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 | 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 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3A | 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.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest: access and site rules
The Forest Preserve land use rules apply in full on Colgate Lake Wild Forest:
- Seasons on Colgate Lake Wild Forest follow the WMU rules; posted areas are the exception.
- Tree cutting and tree hardware are both banned on Colgate Lake Wild Forest.
- Pitch camp 150 feet back from water, roads and trails, or at a marked site.
Rules from the state guide, on Colgate Lake Wild 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 colgate lake wild forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Where to park at Colgate Lake Wild Forest
Access to Colgate Lake Wild Forest starts at 3 DEC parking points.
| Access point, GPS | Link |
|---|---|
| Colgate Lake Accessible Parking Lot is located on County Route 78 at Colgate Lake: 42.2385, -74.1206 | Route |
| Colgate Lake Lower Parking Lot is located on County Route 78 on the right before Colgate Lake: 42.2356, -74.1227 | Route |
| Colgate Lake Trail Head Parking Lot is located off of County Route 78, east of Colgate Lake, and provides access to the Colgate Lake Trail that leads into the Windham Blackhead Range Wilderness: 42.2385, -74.1160 | Route |
Paper map to print: Colgate Lake Wild Forest Map
For hunters with mobility limits, DEC notes: From the Colgate Lake Camping Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Primitive Campsite; and Privy The primitive campsite is 200 feet from the parking area and has a privy and fire ring. From the Colgate Lake Day Use Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Fishing/Viewing Platform The fishing platform is approx. 200 feet from the parking area.
Parking points and maps from DEC colgate lake wild forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest: species list
Game listed for Colgate Lake Wild Forest: white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote and furbearers.
Species from DEC colgate lake wild forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Deer permits and harvest in the WMU over Colgate Lake Wild Forest
3A is the Wildlife Management Unit over Colgate Lake Wild Forest; it covers 694 square miles in Ulster, Greene and Sullivan. 3A has a 2026 DMP target of 175; DEC prints no average success, and resident first-permit odds show as "LO/DV". Antler point rules apply in 3A: 3 points on one side minimum. For bears, 3A falls in the Southern Zone area. Fall turkey dates for 3A: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | Avg. success | Chance, resident | APR | Weapons | Bear zone | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3A | Southern | 175 | – | LO/DV | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3A deer numbers
Deer take in 3A: 774 in 2016, 915 in 2022.
| Season | Deer | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 774 | 652 |
| 2017 | 803 | 662 |
| 2018 | 912 | 775 |
| 2019 | 897 | 749 |
| 2020 | 1,077 | 893 |
| 2021 | 935 | 812 |
| 2022 | 915 | 715 |
Bears taken in 3A: 80 in 2020, 101 in 2021, 58 in 2022, 70 in 2023, 56 in 2024, 95 in 2025.
DEC's bear objective for 3A: reduce 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.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest and the public land around it
Colgate Lake Wild Forest gets the large pin; the closest neighbor is Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness, 1.8 mi northeast. The listed neighbors hold 19,362 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Unit | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windham-Blackhead Range | Wilderness | 17,024 | 3A | 1.8 mi | northeast |
| Katydid Creek | Watershed unit | 143 | 3A | 2.7 mi | northwest |
| Barnum Road | Watershed unit | 53 | 3A | 3.5 mi | northwest |
| Twilight Park | Watershed unit | 84 | 3A | 3.7 mi | south |
| Pinekill Meadows | Watershed unit | 215 | 3A | 3.7 mi | northwest |
| South Scribner Hollow | Watershed unit | 225 | 3A | 3.9 mi | southwest |
| Scribner Hollow | Watershed unit | 793 | 3A | 4.3 mi | west |
| Black Dome Valley | Watershed unit | 442 | 3A | 4.6 mi | north |
| Roundtop Mountain | Watershed unit | 331 | 3A | 4.7 mi | south |
| Railroad Bend | Watershed unit | 52 | 3A | 5.0 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest trip planning
From Colgate Lake Wild Forest, Haines Falls is 3.1 mi by straight line.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haines Falls | Greene | 3.1 mi | – | 59,768 |
| Tannersville | Greene | 3.4 mi | 565 | 66,878 |
| Hunter | Greene | 5.5 mi | 409 | 79,112 |
| Palenville | Greene | 5.8 mi | – | 46,141 |
The county guide covering Colgate Lake Wild Forest: Greene County.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest: businesses close by
Licensed guides based in Greene County: 13, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
Nearest DEC desks for Colgate Lake Wild 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 Colgate Lake Wild Forest
In 2019, the final year DEC printed town totals, Hunter came in at 70 deer.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 adult bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter | Greene | 60 | 88 | 78 | 105 | 70 | 64 |
| Jewett | Greene | 122 | 86 | 87 | 100 | 116 | 84 |
Town bear take: Hunter 2020: 7, Hunter 2021: 15, Hunter 2022: 2, Jewett 2020: 9, Jewett 2021: 2, Jewett 2022: 5.
Greene County as a whole recorded 2,318 deer in 2025.
| Year | Total | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,079 | 1,348 | 639 |
| 2022 | 2,318 | 1,272 | 866 |
| 2023 | 1,898 | 1,266 | 515 |
| 2024 | 2,078 | 1,299 | 639 |
| 2025 | 2,318 | 1,461 | 672 |
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.
Nearest public range for Colgate Lake Wild Forest hunters
Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range is the nearest public range to Colgate Lake Wild Forest, about 30 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest shooting hours by key date
Big game legal light at Colgate Lake Wild 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 | 6:48 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:52 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:03 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:54 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:18 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:25 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. | 5:23 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.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest in pictures
Colgate Lake Wild Forest FAQ for 2026-27
Which WMU rules apply on Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
WMU 3A; that puts it in the Southern Zone.
What deer season covers Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026, per the 2026-27 guide.
Is there an early bow season at Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
The first bow window is Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
What is the 2026 DMP target for Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
3A target: 175 DMPs.
Which animals are named for Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
The list names white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote and furbearers.
What are the spring turkey dates for Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
Spring season runs May 1 to May 31, 2027; hours end at noon.
When is bear season at Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
Bear season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 in WMU 3A.
How far is Colgate Lake Wild Forest from a town?
Haines Falls (3.1 mi).
May I hang a stand for the season on Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
Portable and labeled, never nailed or screwed in; remove it after the season.
What are the blaze orange rules at Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
Firearm deer and bear hunters must wear orange or pink above the waist.
Can I hunt Colgate Lake Wild 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 Colgate Lake Wild Forest?
Its size is 1,500 acres.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest: confirm these before you go
Print the Colgate Lake Wild Forest map, carry your license and tags, and read the posted signs at the parking area.
Sources: DEC colgate lake wild 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: Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova (CC BY 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); pedrik (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).