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State forest · 2026-27
Eldridge Swamp State Forest hunting rules, seasons and access
State forest of 533 acres in Washington County, hunted under WMU 5S dates, for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ring-necked pheasant.
Photo: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Eldridge Swamp State Forest
Eldridge Swamp State Forest at a glance
Hunters find Eldridge Swamp State Forest, a DEC state forest, in Washington County. DEC places it in the town of Jackson. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 5, which spans the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. The acreage used here is 533, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 361 by size out of 409 state forests. DEC plans it under the Northern Piedmont unit management plan.
Hunting section, quoted: Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main furbearers and game species found within the property include white tail deer, grouse, woodcock, turkey and pheasant. Private properties adjoin Eldridge Swamp State Forest – please respect private lands.
From DEC eldridge swamp state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Eldridge Swamp State Forest
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: access and site rules
These state land rules from DEC cover Eldridge Swamp State Forest:
- Trees on Eldridge Swamp State Forest stay unharmed, so no hardware, no cleared shooting lanes and no blinds built from brush.
- Your stand may remain in place for the season on Eldridge Swamp State Forest as long as it is tag-marked with your details and harms no tree.
- Trail cameras and other gear may not be left on Eldridge Swamp State Forest as storage.
- Motor vehicles stay on maintained roads, and ATVs need a designated route.
- Camping needs a DEC permit where the rules require one.
Laws every Eldridge Swamp State Forest 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 eldridge swamp state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Eldridge Swamp State Forest (5S); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 5S | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 5S | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 5S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 5S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 5S | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 5S | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 5S | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 5S | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 5S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 5S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 5S | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 5S | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 5S | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 5S | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 5S | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5S | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5S | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5S | 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 5S | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 5S | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 5S | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 5S | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 5S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 5S | 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.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest and WMU 5S: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Eldridge Swamp State Forest is WMU 5S ground (Southern Zone, 422 sq. mi. across Washington and Rensselaer). The 2026 DMP target in 5S is 2,000, with 20.3% average success and med 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5S | Southern | 2,000 | 20.3% | med | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 5S deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 5S 2,197 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2,488 | 1,286 |
| 2017 | 2,426 | 1,339 |
| 2018 | 2,440 | 1,254 |
| 2019 | 1,988 | 1,113 |
| 2020 | 2,416 | 1,324 |
| 2021 | 2,264 | 1,254 |
| 2022 | 2,197 | 1,262 |
Recent bear numbers for 5S: 2022: 15, 2023: 17, 2024: 24, 2025: 16.
Objective for bears in 5S: 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.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: species list
Hunters come to Eldridge Swamp State Forest for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ring-necked pheasant above all.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Woodcock
Oct 1–Nov 14
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC eldridge swamp state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: DEC pheasant release site
Expect stocked birds: DEC plans 3 releases and 404 pheasants on Eldridge Swamp State Forest this fall.
| Site | Property type | Town | Fields (ac) | Type | Events | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eldridge Swamp State Forest | Public – open access | Jackson | 91 | Youth, regular | 3 | 404 |
| Stocking week | Pheasants |
|---|---|
| 09/21 | 104 |
| 09/28 | 94 |
| 10/12 | 103 |
| 10/26 | 103 |
| NA | – |
Special rule: Respect private land adjoining state property
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest access points
The DEC directions name 3 places to leave a truck at Eldridge Swamp State Forest.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Northern Eldridge Swamp Parking Lot: 43.0631, -73.3366 | Navigate |
| State Route 313 Parking Lot: 43.0588, -73.3381 | Navigate |
| Southern Eldridge Swamp Parking Lot: 43.0568, -73.3407 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Eldridge Swamp State Forest Map
Open Eldridge Swamp State Forest in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC eldridge swamp state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Eldridge Swamp State Forest and 10 neighbors; Goose Egg State Forest and Batten Kill State Forest sits 3.0 mi off. The tracts listed total 8,583 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Egg State Forest | State forest | 1,460 | 5S | 3.0 mi | east |
| Mount Tom | State forest | 1,725 | 5S | 4.4 mi | south |
| Chestnut Woods | State forest | 801 | 5S | 4.5 mi | southeast |
| Washington | Detached parcel | 37 | 5S | 8.0 mi | west |
| Carters Pond | WMA | 446 | 5S | 8.3 mi | northwest |
| Bennington Battlefield | Historic site | 411 | 4C, 5S | 8.7 mi | south |
| Victory Mills | WMA | 47 | 5R | 13 mi | west |
| Tibbitts | State forest | 846 | 4C, 4L | 15 mi | south |
| Washington County Grasslands | WMA | 468 | 5T | 16 mi | northwest |
| Pittstown | State forest | 2,342 | 4L | 19 mi | south |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Eldridge Swamp State Forest
The town of Jackson, where Eldridge Swamp State Forest lies, produced 146 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Washington | 231 | 246 | 197 | 185 | 146 | 72 |
DEC bear tables list 4 for Jackson (2021), 1 for Jackson (2022).
DEC puts the 2025 Washington County deer take at 2,740.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,209 | 1,965 | 1,069 |
| 2022 | 3,171 | 2,004 | 939 |
| 2023 | 2,606 | 1,695 | 624 |
| 2024 | 2,771 | 1,699 | 875 |
| 2025 | 2,740 | 1,687 | 809 |
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.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Hoosick Falls, about 11 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoosick Falls | Rensselaer | 11 mi | 3,190 | 7,692 |
| Victory | Saratoga | 13 mi | 676 | 1,475 |
| Valley Falls | Rensselaer | 16 mi | 453 | 2,356 |
| Fort Edward | Washington | 19 mi | 3,138 | 1,482 |
Season tables by county for Eldridge Swamp State Forest: Washington County.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 5 licensed guides in Washington County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Eldridge Swamp State 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.
Nearest public range for Eldridge Swamp State Forest hunters
Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Archery Range, 20 miles off, is the public range nearest Eldridge Swamp State Forest. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest 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 Eldridge Swamp State Forest.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:45 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:37 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:07 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:17 a.m. | 5:58 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:28 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:54 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:18 a.m. | 4:19 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:19 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:26 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:48 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 8:23 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 7:53 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.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest in pictures
Answers on Eldridge Swamp State Forest access and seasons
Which WMU rules apply on Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
Southern Zone, WMU 5S.
Is Eldridge Swamp State Forest a large property?
533 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
What game does the source list for Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, woodcock and furbearers.
Are antlerless permits issued for Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
Yes. DMPs are issued by WMU, and 5S gets 2,000 in 2026.
When is bear season at Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 5S).
When is spring turkey season at Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
How far is Eldridge Swamp State Forest from a town?
Hoosick Falls, about 11 mi away.
When are pheasants stocked at Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
DEC plans 404 birds here in 2026.
How does access work on Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
Can I use screw-in steps on Eldridge Swamp State Forest?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
Eldridge Swamp State Forest: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Eldridge Swamp State Forest can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC eldridge swamp state forest · 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0); kevbonham (CC BY-SA 2.0).