Home › New York › Public land › Evangola State Park
Public hunting · State park
What hunters need to know about Evangola State Park
Rules, WMU 9G season dates, maps and neighbors for a state park in Erie County.
Photo: JimsFlicker (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Evangola State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Evangola State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Sunset Bay State Marine Park Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.9 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 Evangola State Park is
Evangola State Park is a state park with a hunting program in Erie County. It is a Region 9 property, in western New York. Rules on the ground come from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Size: 743 acres (NY State Parks Property layer). 47 others of the 83 state parks are larger.
Check note: Acreage conflict: NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre) 743 vs computed polygon area 364 acres.
From NYS Parks evangola state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Evangola State Park hunting rules for 2026-27
For Evangola State Park, the state parks hunting rules set the terms:
- NYS Parks opens only designated parts of Evangola State Park to hunters who hold the park's permit.
- Dates, species and implements differ by permit, so check yours.
- No permanent blinds or tree stands; a portable stand only if the permit allows it and it does not damage the tree.
- Posted Restricted Areas are closed to hunting, and take must be reported when the park asks.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Evangola State Park
- 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 NYS Parks evangola state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Evangola State Park park permit details
NYS Parks maps 3 species groups for Evangola State Park, each with its implements.
| Species | Legal tools |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow |
| Turkey (fall) | Archery |
| Small game | Archery, Crossbow, Shotgun |
Park notes on Evangola State Park hunting areas
- Deer Hunting is archery and crossbow only. Fall turkey hunting is archery only. Small game only after all deer seasons have closed, except for fall turkey. Contact park office for additional information.
- No Rifles and No Small Game Hunting in Zones 3 & 4
The park website says: Pheasant and small game hunting are allowed during pheasant season by permit in a limited area. Deer hunting permit available during archery season only. A copy of your hunting permit must be present on the day of hunting. Must hold a valid NYS Hunting License and comply with all laws.
Permit paperwork: Hunting Permit · Hunting Rules & Procedures
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Evangola State Park, and when
This calendar is cut down to Evangola State Park: its WMU (9G), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 9G | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9G | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9G | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9G | 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 9G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9G | 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.
Evangola State Park: WMU 9G numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 9G, 230 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus. There is no cap on DMPs in 9G in 2026. The bear area for 9G is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 9G: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9G | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 9.8% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 9G
In 2022, 9G produced 1,945 deer by DEC's estimate (1,476 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,476 | 606 |
| 2017 | 1,505 | 587 |
| 2018 | 1,815 | 704 |
| 2019 | 1,711 | 671 |
| 2020 | 1,838 | 682 |
| 2021 | 1,515 | 604 |
| 2022 | 1,945 | 669 |
Bear harvest in 9G for 2025 was 1, or 0.4 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 9G is to maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Evangola State Park game species
Expect white-tailed deer, wild turkey and small game on Evangola State Park.
Species from NYS Parks evangola state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Evangola State Park
Map in print form: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks evangola state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Evangola State Park and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Evangola State Park, starting with Clear Lake WMA. Combined: 13,870 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake | WMA | 527 | 9H | 13 mi | east |
| Hampton Brook Woods | WMA | 78 | 9H | 15 mi | northeast |
| Zoar Valley Multiple Use | Multiple use area | 2,979 | 9H, 9M | 16 mi | southeast |
| Canadaway Creek | WMA | 2,190 | 9K | 17 mi | south |
| East Otto | State forest | 2,082 | 9H, 9M | 20 mi | southeast |
| Boutwell Hill | State forest | 2,965 | 9K | 20 mi | south |
| Cattaraugus | State forest | 1,061 | 9M | 24 mi | southeast |
| Kabob | WMA | 37 | 9J | 25 mi | southwest |
| Hatch Creek | State forest | 1,284 | 9K | 26 mi | south |
| Knox Farm | State park | 667 | 9F | 26 mi | northeast |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Evangola State Park
The 2025 deer take for Erie County was 6,401.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,742 | 2,495 | 2,565 |
| 2022 | 6,182 | 2,583 | 2,655 |
| 2023 | 5,742 | 2,809 | 2,134 |
| 2024 | 6,327 | 3,171 | 2,376 |
| 2025 | 6,401 | 3,256 | 2,546 |
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.
Evangola State Park: nearby towns and services
Gowanda sits 13 mi from Evangola State Park, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gowanda | Cattaraugus | 13 mi | 2,474 | 5,528 |
| Cassadaga | Chautauqua | 21 mi | 556 | 7,594 |
| Cherry Creek | Chautauqua | 21 mi | – | 9,295 |
| Buffalo | Erie | 24 mi | 276,617 | 510 |
Open the county guide for Evangola State Park: Erie County.
Evangola State Park: businesses close by
Erie County is home to 9 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Evangola State Park: 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.
Evangola State Park: nearest firing lines
Evans Rod and Gun Club, 3 miles away, is the nearest range to Evangola State Park; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Evangola State Park: 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 Evangola State Park and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:11 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:38 a.m. | 6:21 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 6:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:14 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:38 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:45 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:11 a.m. | 8:14 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:44 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:14 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.
Evangola State Park in pictures
Evangola State Park questions, answered from the record
Does the orange law apply on Evangola State Park?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
When does legal light start at Evangola State Park?
Big game from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; ducks stop at sunset.
Is Evangola State Park open to public hunting?
Yes, with a park hunting permit, inside the mapped hunting areas only.
What does Evangola State Park measure?
The record lists 743 acres.
What zone and WMU is Evangola State Park?
The DEC WMU layer gives 9G (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Evangola State Park?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 9G.
What is the bowhunting window on Evangola State Park?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
What species go with Evangola State Park?
You will find white-tailed deer, wild turkey and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Evangola State Park?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Evangola State Park?
WMU 9G is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Evangola State Park from a town?
Gowanda is 13 mi away.
Is Sunday hunting allowed at Evangola State Park?
Check the permit and DEC's park list; some parks close Sundays.
Evangola State Park: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Evangola State Park.
Sources: NYS Parks evangola state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: OhLizz (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).