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What hunters need to know about Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area
Rules, WMU 8M season dates, maps and neighbors for a wma in Livingston County.
Photo: tsakshaug (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 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, 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 Conesus Inlet WMA is
Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area is a DEC wildlife management area in Livingston County. The DEC page names Conesus as the town it falls in. It is a Region 8 property, in the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley. Size: 1,142 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 41 others of the 119 WMAs are larger. Management direction comes from the Livingston unit plan.
From the DEC page for Conesus Inlet WMA: Conesus Inlet game includes waterfowl, white-tailed deer , ring-necked pheasants , ruffed grouse , squirrels, and cottontail rabbits; while muskrat, mink, raccoon, grey fox, and red fox provide most of the trapping opportunities.
From DEC conesus inlet 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 Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area
Conesus Inlet WMA hunting rules for 2026-27
As a DEC wildlife area, Conesus Inlet WMA carries the Part 51 restrictions:
- Unless signs say otherwise, target shooting is off limits on Conesus Inlet 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 Conesus Inlet 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 Conesus Inlet 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 conesus inlet wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Conesus Inlet WMA, and when
This calendar is cut down to Conesus Inlet WMA: its WMU (8M), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8M | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8M | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8M | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (cocks only) | WMU 8M | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8M | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8M | 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 8M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8M | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8M | 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.
Conesus Inlet WMA: WMU 8M numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 8M, 307 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Livingston, Wyoming and Steuben. For 8M, DEC aims to issue 9,800 DMPs in 2026; success averages 17.4% and residents' first-DMP odds are high. The bear area for 8M is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 8M: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8M | Southern | 9,800 | 17.4% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 8M
In 2022, 8M produced 3,523 deer by DEC's estimate (3,500 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,500 | 1,583 |
| 2017 | 3,635 | 1,566 |
| 2018 | 3,773 | 1,548 |
| 2019 | 3,654 | 1,565 |
| 2020 | 3,981 | 1,364 |
| 2021 | 3,452 | 1,364 |
| 2022 | 3,523 | 1,373 |
Bear harvest in 8M for 2025 was 2, or 0.7 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 8M 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.
Conesus Inlet WMA game species
Expect white-tailed deer, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant and ruffed grouse on Conesus Inlet WMA.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Dec 31
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC conesus inlet wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Waterfowl hunting on Conesus Inlet WMA
DEC's map of waterfowl hunting places shows Conesus Inlet WMA. The duck zone here is Western. For Canada geese it is in the South area.
| Name on the map | Owner | Type | Extra rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conesus Inlet WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | No |
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Maps and parking around Conesus Inlet WMA
DEC lists 6 parking or access points for Conesus Inlet WMA.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Guiltner Road: 42.6832, -77.7033 | Get there |
| East Swamp Road: 42.7016, -77.6969 | Get there |
| Sliker Hill Road: 42.7192, -77.7053 | Get there |
| Sliker Hill Road: 42.7154, -77.7125 | Get there |
| West Lake Road: 42.7176, -77.7143 | Get there |
| South Cove Lane: 42.7229, -77.7170 | Get there |
Map in print form: Conesus Inlet WMA Map
DEC accessible recreation note: From the Sliker Hill Road Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Viewing area; and Fish walk The fish walk is approximately 300 feet long.
Parking points and maps from DEC conesus inlet wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
Conesus Inlet WMA and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Conesus Inlet WMA, starting with Hemlock-Canadice State Forest. Combined: 34,628 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemlock-Canadice | State forest | 7,060 | 8N | 5.5 mi | east |
| Sonyea | State forest | 926 | 8M | 7.1 mi | west |
| Harriet Hollister Spencer Recreation | State park | 1,597 | 8N | 9.7 mi | east |
| Honeoye Inlet | WMA | 2,763 | 8N | 11 mi | east |
| Honeoye Creek | WMA | 792 | 8H | 12 mi | northeast |
| Stony Brook | State park | 548 | 8P | 13 mi | south |
| Wolf Gull | WMA | 110 | 8N | 14 mi | southeast |
| Rattlesnake Hill | WMA | 5,138 | 9P | 15 mi | southwest |
| Letchworth | State park | 14,408 | 8M, 9P | 15 mi | west |
| Canaseraga | State forest | 1,286 | 9P | 15 mi | south |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Conesus Inlet WMA
Conesus logged 544 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conesus | Livingston | 552 | 476 | 474 | 544 | 544 | 219 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Conesus (2020) 2, Conesus (2022) 3.
The 2025 deer take for Livingston County was 6,740.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,249 | 2,952 | 3,349 |
| 2022 | 7,378 | 3,015 | 3,187 |
| 2023 | 6,670 | 2,764 | 2,699 |
| 2024 | 6,426 | 2,964 | 2,609 |
| 2025 | 6,740 | 2,949 | 3,077 |
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.
Conesus Inlet WMA: nearby towns and services
Scottsburg sits 2.7 mi from Conesus Inlet WMA, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsburg | Livingston | 2.7 mi | – | 8,928 |
| Hemlock | Livingston | 8.0 mi | – | 10,833 |
| Geneseo | Livingston | 8.6 mi | 7,722 | 2,900 |
| Honeoye | Ontario | 11 mi | – | 11,068 |
Open the county guide for Conesus Inlet WMA: Livingston County.
Conesus Inlet WMA: businesses close by
Livingston County is home to 12 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Conesus Inlet 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.
Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
Veterans pheasant hunt: 1 upcoming event, on site or a few miles off.
Still ahead
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 8, 2026 | Dansville Fish and Game Veterans Pheasant Hunt · veterans pheasant hunt | 5 | Reserve a spot | Source |
Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Conesus Lake Sportsmens Club, 9 miles away, is the nearest range to Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Conesus Inlet 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 Conesus Inlet WMA and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:02 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 7:02 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:07 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:10 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:33 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:41 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:07 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 5:37 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. | 5:37 a.m. to 8:10 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.
Conesus Inlet WMA in pictures
Conesus Inlet WMA questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Conesus Inlet WMA?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Conesus Inlet WMA?
Yes: WMU 8M has a 2026 target of 9,800 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are high.
What species go with Conesus Inlet WMA?
You will find white-tailed deer, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare and squirrel on the list.
When does turkey season open on Conesus Inlet WMA?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Conesus Inlet WMA?
WMU 8M is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Can I hunt ducks on Conesus Inlet WMA?
Duck split one runs Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 (Western Zone).
How far is Conesus Inlet WMA from a town?
Scottsburg is 2.7 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Conesus Inlet WMA?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Is Conesus Inlet WMA open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Conesus Inlet WMA measure?
The record lists 1,142 acres.
What zone and WMU is Conesus Inlet WMA?
The DEC WMU layer gives 8M (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Conesus Inlet WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 8M.
Conesus Inlet WMA: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Conesus Inlet WMA.
Sources: DEC conesus inlet wildlife management area · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0).