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Wild forest · the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Franklin County: white-tailed deer, black bear and ducks and geese.
Photo: ImNotQuiteJack (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Debar Mountain Wild Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Debar Mountain Wild Forest
- 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.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a Forest Preserve wild forest, Debar Mountain Wild Forest lies in Franklin County. The DEC region is Region 5 (the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain). It measures 88,354 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 5th of 35 wild forests. Page text and map differ: the page prints 81,160 acres. DEC groups it in the Debar Mountain planning unit.
In DEC's words: Hunters may use the parking areas , roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, and the boat launches and hand launches used by boaters and paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. The area is popular with big game hunters pursuing white-tailed deer and bear. Some enjoy camping for long periods of time during the hunting season. Hunters may obtain camping permits for the full hunting season.
From DEC debar mountain wild forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Debar Mountain Wild Forest
Debar Mountain Wild Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Debar Mountain Wild Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 5C, 6F and the Northeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 5C, 6F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 5C, 6F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Northeast goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 19, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 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.
How you may hunt Debar Mountain Wild Forest
Debar Mountain Wild Forest is Forest Preserve land under the State Land Use Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 190):
- Open seasons apply on Debar Mountain Wild Forest; only posted spots are closed.
- Leave trees on Debar Mountain Wild Forest untouched by saws, nails and screws.
- A designated campsite or a spot 150 feet off roads, trails and water is required.
New York rules that apply on Debar Mountain Wild Forest too
- Firearm deer and bear hunters, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least half orange or pink.
- Mind the 500-foot firearm setback from dwellings and farm buildings near the boundary.
- Bait, salt licks and mineral attractants are illegal for deer and bear, and feeding them is banned year-round.
- Sundays are open statewide; only a site rule can close them.
From DEC debar mountain wild forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Debar Mountain Wild Forest
Debar Mountain Wild Forest has 17 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| is located in Meacham Lake Campground off Meacham Road which is off State Route 30: 44.5828, -74.2744 | Directions |
| is located along Port Kent-Hopkinton Turnpike (County Route 26: 44.5826, -74.1233 | Directions |
| is located along the Debar Meadows Road off the Port Kent-Hopkinton Turnpike (County Route 26: 44.5925, -74.1794 | Directions |
| is located along Mountain Pond Road off State Route 30: 44.4818, -74.2806 | Directions |
| is located along Bloomingdale-Gabriels Road (County Route 55: 44.4137, -74.1210 | Directions |
| is located in Meacham Lake Campground off Meacham Road which is off State Route 30. A day-use fee is required when the campground is open: 44.5704, -74.2741 | Directions |
| is located in Buck Pond Campground off Gabriels-Onchiota Road (County Route 60). A day-use fee is required when the campground is open: 44.5087, -74.1162 | Directions |
| is located off Meacham Road which is off State Route 30: 44.5776, -74.2895 | Directions |
| aka Boy Scout Clear Pond) is located along Meacham Road off State Route 30: 44.5852, -74.2908 | Directions |
| is located along Mountain Pond Road (seasonal) off State Route 30: 44.4687, -74.2743 | Directions |
| is located along Slush Pond Road off State Route 30. Parking is along the shoulder of the road: 44.4690, -74.3145 | Directions |
| is located along State Route 30. Parking is along the shoulder of the road: 44.4613, -74.2544 | Directions |
| is located on a seasonal access road off Jones Pond Road which is off State Route 86: 44.4564, -74.1890 | Directions |
| is located along White Pine Road off State Route 86: 44.4446, -74.2371 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Debar Mountain Trail Map · Loon Lake Mountain Trail Map · Debar Meadows Trail Map · Skiff Pond Trail Map · Hays Brook Trail Map · Grass Pond Trail Map
Parking points and maps from DEC debar mountain wild forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest game species
8 game groups are named for Debar Mountain Wild Forest; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Black bear
Sep 19–Dec 6
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 29
Ruffed grouse
Sep 20–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Mar 21
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Small game
Oct 1–Mar 21
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC debar mountain wild forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 5C rules that reach Debar Mountain Wild Forest
WMU 5C is the unit that counts for Debar Mountain Wild Forest: Northern Zone, 1,126 square miles, in Clinton, Franklin and Essex. 5C is one of the Adirondack WMUs where DMPs cannot be issued. Bear rules in 5C follow the Adirondacks area. 5C fall turkey season: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5C | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
| 6F | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
5C: deer by season
The 5C deer take moved from 583 (2016) to 1,210 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 583 | 480 |
| 2017 | 616 | 528 |
| 2018 | 847 | 691 |
| 2019 | 1,003 | 808 |
| 2020 | 939 | 703 |
| 2021 | 955 | 794 |
| 2022 | 1,210 | 955 |
5C bear take by year: 2020 40; 2021 48; 2022 35; 2023 47; 2024 58; 2025 46.
5C bear objective: maintain moderate 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.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Debar Mountain Wild Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract is the closest (4.3 mi). Combined: 207,327 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kushaqua | Easement tract | 19,419 | 5C | 4.3 mi | east |
| Santa Clara | Easement tract | 71,951 | 5C, 6F | 7.1 mi | west |
| Titusville Mountain | State forest | 7,169 | 5C | 10 mi | north |
| Paul Smiths College | Easement tract | 7,814 | 5C, 5F | 11 mi | south |
| Franklin | Detached parcel | 138 | 6F | 11 mi | northwest |
| Sable Highlands | Easement tract | 28,926 | 5C | 12 mi | northeast |
| Saint Regis | Canoe area | 18,994 | 6F | 13 mi | southwest |
| Taylor Pond | Wild forest | 39,698 | 5C, 5F | 14 mi | east |
| Deer River | State forest | 12,289 | 6F | 16 mi | northwest |
| St. Regis River | State forest | 929 | 6F | 17 mi | northwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Paul Smiths, 8.9 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Smiths | Franklin | 8.9 mi | – | 99,131 |
| St. Regis Falls | Franklin | 16 mi | – | 28,492 |
| Saranac Lake | Franklin | 17 mi | 4,856 | 129,641 |
| Malone | Franklin | 20 mi | 5,373 | 7,620 |
County pages that list Debar Mountain Wild Forest: Franklin County.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 15 in Franklin County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Debar Mountain 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.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: town and county harvest
Across Franklin County, DEC counted 2,760 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,137 | 1,663 | 424 |
| 2022 | 2,393 | 1,755 | 513 |
| 2023 | 2,296 | 1,660 | 455 |
| 2024 | 2,836 | 2,164 | 582 |
| 2025 | 2,760 | 2,041 | 559 |
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.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: nearest firing lines
Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club is the closest listed range to Debar Mountain Wild Forest, about 16 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: first and last legal light
Spring turkey hunting ends at noon, fall turkey and upland birds run sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:53 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:01 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:26 a.m. | 4:18 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:18 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:34 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:49 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:19 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 5:19 a.m. to 8:00 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.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest in pictures
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: short answers
What species go with Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
Named game: white-tailed deer, black bear, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare and coyote.
Why are there no DMPs at Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
State law keeps DMPs out of 5C.
Is Debar Mountain Wild Forest in a bear hunting area?
Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Adirondacks)).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
How far is Debar Mountain Wild Forest from a town?
Paul Smiths is 8.9 mi away.
What are the duck dates for Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
Oct 10 to Nov 29, 2026 for the first split.
What do I need to hunt Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
Are tree stands allowed on Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
Which unit sets deer dates for Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
5C, a Northern Zone unit.
What does Debar Mountain Wild Forest measure?
88,354 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Debar Mountain Wild Forest?
The regular Season runs Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
Debar Mountain Wild Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Debar Mountain Wild Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC debar mountain 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: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).