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State park · the lower Hudson Valley
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Putnam County: white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
Photo: Skellig2008 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Canopus Lake Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 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.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: size, towns and manager
Listed as a state park with a hunting program, Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park lies in Putnam County. The DEC region is Region 3 (the lower Hudson Valley). The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is in charge of access. It measures 15,537 acres, per NY State Parks Property layer. Size rank: 5th of 83 state parks.
From NYS Parks fahnestock state park clarence fahnest; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park hunting calendar
Season windows for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 3N and the Southeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3N | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3N | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3N | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3N | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3N | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3N | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3N | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Orange and Putnam | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3N | 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 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3N | 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.
How you may hunt Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Park rules for hunters on Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park come from 6 NYCRR 372.7(q):
- The park permit decides where, when and with what you may hunt on Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park.
- Each permit names its own species, areas, implements and season dates.
- Permanent stands and blinds are banned; portable stands need permit approval and must not hurt the tree.
- Stay out of posted Restricted Areas and report your harvest if the park requests it.
New York rules that apply on Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park 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 NYS Parks fahnestock state park clarence fahnest, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
How hunting works at Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Implements by species in the Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park hunting areas:
| Species | Implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun |
| Turkey (spring) | Archery, Crossbow, Shotgun |
Permit required, per DEC's parks list. Contact: (845) 225-7207.
What NYS Parks notes for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
- Big game deer hunting is archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and shotgun. Spring turkey hunting is shotgun, archery, and crossbow only. Contact park office for additional information.
Park page lines on hunting: Must get Fahnestock hunting permit in person at Fahnestock State Park office. Must have hunting license and Back Tag with you to get permit. Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a delight for outdoor enthusiasts. This 15,000-acre park, covering land in Putnam and Dutchess counties, boasts hiking trails, picnic areas, a scenic campground, and abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and birding. The park is also home to the Archery only. May enter woods ½ hour before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset. Park Hunting permit required – unlimited.
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Boundary map file: Fahnestock Hunting Map · ClarenceFahnestockFahnestockHuntingMap.pdf
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks fahnestock state park clarence fahnest; checked October 27, 2026.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park game species
2 game groups are named for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Species from NYS Parks fahnestock state park clarence fahnest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3N rules that reach Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
WMU 3N is the unit that counts for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: Southern Zone, 223 square miles, in Putnam and Dutchess. 3,200 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 3N (average success 4.9%; resident first DMP: high). Bear rules in 3N follow the Southern Zone area. 3N fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3N | Southern | 3,200 | 4.9% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3N: deer by season
The 3N deer take moved from 741 (2016) to 544 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 741 | 422 |
| 2017 | 626 | 367 |
| 2018 | 694 | 419 |
| 2019 | 687 | 423 |
| 2020 | 519 | 240 |
| 2021 | 443 | 280 |
| 2022 | 544 | 327 |
3N bear take by year: 2020 0; 2021 2; 2022 3; 2023 0; 2024 1; 2025 1.
3N bear objective: 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.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Around Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park lie 10 more public tracts; West Branch Headwaters DEP unit is the closest (3.6 mi). Combined: 13,218 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Branch Headwaters | Watershed unit | 562 | 3N | 3.6 mi | east |
| Taconic | Watershed unit | 117 | 3N | 3.7 mi | northeast |
| California Hill | State forest | 983 | 3N | 4.5 mi | east |
| Hudson Highlands State Park | State park | 9,779 | 3N | 4.5 mi | west |
| Summit | Watershed unit | 57 | 3N | 4.6 mi | east |
| Knapp Road | Watershed unit | 187 | 3N | 4.8 mi | northeast |
| Richardsville | Watershed unit | 236 | 3N | 5.2 mi | east |
| Boyd Corners North | Watershed unit | 642 | 3N | 5.8 mi | east |
| Farmers Mills | Watershed unit | 164 | 3N | 6.5 mi | northeast |
| Lockwood | Watershed unit | 491 | 3N | 6.5 mi | east |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: nearby towns and services
Head to Carmel, 9.7 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel | Putnam | 9.7 mi | – | 4,139 |
| Lake Carmel | Putnam | 10 mi | – | 4,976 |
| Putnam Lake | Putnam | 16 mi | – | 4,017 |
| Poughkeepsie | Dutchess | 17 mi | 32,293 | 1,727 |
County pages that list Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: Putnam County.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 4 in Putnam County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
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.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: town and county harvest
Across Putnam County, DEC counted 524 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 460 | 295 | 144 |
| 2022 | 588 | 333 | 210 |
| 2023 | 444 | 293 | 129 |
| 2024 | 509 | 330 | 143 |
| 2025 | 524 | 342 | 144 |
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.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: nearest firing lines
It is about 38 miles from Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park to Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range, the closest public range. Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: 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 | 6:46 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:16 a.m. | 6:02 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:50 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:13 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:21 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:21 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 7:51 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.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in pictures
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: short answers
What do I need to hunt Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
Hunting is by NYS Parks permit, limited to designated areas.
Does the orange law apply on Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
3N, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park measure?
15,537 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
What species go with Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
Named game: white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
3,200 DMPs are targeted for 3N, with 4.9% average success.
Is Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
What does the park permit cover at Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park?
Species, implements, hunting areas and dates.
How far is Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park from a town?
Carmel is 9.7 mi away.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park before the drive.
Sources: NYS Parks fahnestock state park clarence fahnest · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Bobolink (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); James St. John (CC BY 2.0).