Home › New York › Public land › French Creek WMA
WMA · Region 6
French Creek Wildlife Management Area: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wma in Jefferson County, 2,268 acres.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to French Creek Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near French Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.8 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.
Where French Creek WMA is and who runs it
French Creek Wildlife Management Area sits in Jefferson County, filed as a DEC wildlife management area. Its town is Clayton. Region 6 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley. 2,268 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 119 WMAs put it 29th.
The property page says: Ring-necked pheasants are stocked in the fall to enhance upland bird hunting.
From DEC french creek 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 French Creek Wildlife Management Area
French Creek WMA pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to French Creek WMA is Cedar Point State Park, 3.5 mi away to the west. Combined: 13,744 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Point | State park | 48 | 6G | 3.5 mi | west |
| Ashland Flats | WMA | 2,027 | 6G | 6.8 mi | southwest |
| Burnham Point | State park | 12 | 6G | 7.4 mi | west |
| Canoe-Picnic Point | State park | 75 | 6G | 7.6 mi | north |
| Grass Point | State park | 111 | 6G | 8.5 mi | northeast |
| Collins Landing | WMA | 52 | 6G | 10 mi | northeast |
| Wellesley Island | State park | 2,786 | 6G | 11 mi | northeast |
| Perch River | WMA | 8,050 | 6G | 11 mi | southeast |
| Long Point | State park | 23 | 6G | 13 mi | south |
| Coyote Flats | State forest | 560 | 6G | 13 mi | east |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
French Creek WMA regulations, plainly
Part 51 of 6 NYCRR lays out what is allowed on French Creek WMA:
- Target shooting on French Creek WMA is banned unless a posted range allows it.
- Written permission from DEC comes before any camp.
- Vehicles leave the roads only where a permit or posting allows.
- No cutting vegetation and no permanent structures, blinds, stands or hardware in trees.
- Only labeled stands (name and address or DEC ID) may stay on French Creek WMA overnight, and they come out at season end; other gear leaves with you.
- Signs reading "No Trespassing" close those parts without written permission.
- Overnight mooring is banned and fires serve only cooking or warmth.
State law reminders for French Creek WMA
- Fluorescent orange or pink (250 square inches above the waist, or a hat at least half orange or pink) is required for anyone hunting deer or bear with a gun.
- Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, farm building, school, playground or church without permission; bows 150 feet, crossbows 250 feet.
- No baiting for big game, upland birds, turkey or waterfowl, and no salt or mineral licks for deer or bear.
- New York allows hunting on Sundays in every county.
From DEC french creek wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 6G facts for French Creek WMA
The WMU map puts French Creek WMA in 6G; 6G spans 933 square miles of Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego. DEC set a 2026 target of 21,000 Deer Management Permits for 6G; average DMP success there runs 12.8%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Western Periphery bear rules cover 6G. The fall turkey window for 6G is Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6G | Northern | 21,000 | 12.8% | high | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
Deer take in WMU 6G
6G yielded 6,593 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,487 | 2,519 |
| 2017 | 5,581 | 2,882 |
| 2018 | 6,430 | 3,089 |
| 2019 | 6,476 | 3,353 |
| 2020 | 7,913 | 3,370 |
| 2021 | 6,341 | 3,128 |
| 2022 | 6,593 | 3,231 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 6G came to 5.
DEC's bear plan for 6G reads "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.
Every season window on French Creek WMA
31 species have open dates on French Creek WMA this license year; the table holds 47 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMU 6G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | 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 | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6G | 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.
Stocked pheasants at French Creek WMA
French Creek WMA is on the 2026 DEC pheasant stocking list with 349 birds over 3 stockings.
| Release site | Access | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Releases | Birds 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Creek WMA | Public – open access | Clayton | 300 | Regular | 3 | 349 |
| Week of | Birds |
|---|---|
| 09/28 | 74 |
| 10/05 | 66 |
| 10/12 | 60 |
| 10/19 | 52 |
| 11/02 | 52 |
| 11/16 | 45 |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
French Creek WMA game species
The source names ring-necked pheasant on French Creek WMA.
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC french creek wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into French Creek WMA: parking and maps
Park at one of the 8 access points DEC gives for French Creek WMA.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| Bevins Road, gravel parking area: 44.1891, -76.1361 | Open map |
| Bevins Road, small gravel parking area: 44.1891, -76.1361 | Open map |
| Commode Road, gravel parking area: 44.1946, -76.1193 | Open map |
| Grant Road, gravel parking area: 44.2058, -76.1155 | Open map |
| Buzz Road off NYS Rte 12E, gravel parking area, hand boat launch: 44.2207, -76.1044 | Open map |
| French Creek Road, gravel parking area: 44.1943, -76.1387 | Open map |
| French Creek Road, gravel parking area: 44.1795, -76.1429 | Open map |
| French Creek Road, gravel parking area: 44.1790, -76.1423 | Open map |
Map download: French Creek Wildlife Management Area Map
Parking points and maps from DEC french creek wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
French Creek WMA: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Clayton with 303 deer, 173 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | Jefferson | 272 | 353 | 387 | 389 | 303 | 173 |
Jefferson County deer, 2025: 6,226.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,902 | 3,693 | 2,659 |
| 2022 | 7,410 | 3,860 | 2,634 |
| 2023 | 6,673 | 3,893 | 2,340 |
| 2024 | 6,871 | 3,930 | 2,436 |
| 2025 | 6,226 | 3,219 | 2,375 |
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.
French Creek WMA hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for French Creek WMA; the game column adds the big game half hour and the bird column stops at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:56 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:00 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:08 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:08 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:06 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:31 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:39 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:57 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:05 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.
French Creek WMA: nearby towns and services
Clayton is the nearest town with its own page, 3.3 mi from French Creek WMA.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | Jefferson | 3.3 mi | 1,689 | 3,044 |
| Three Mile Bay | Jefferson | 8.7 mi | – | 6,434 |
| Dexter | Jefferson | 14 mi | 1,011 | 8,371 |
| Pamelia Center | Jefferson | 16 mi | – | 10,437 |
French Creek WMA falls inside these county guides: Jefferson County.
French Creek WMA: businesses close by
39 licensed guides are registered in Jefferson County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to French Creek WMA
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.
French Creek Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to French Creek Wildlife Management Area: Lucky Star Ranch, roughly 5 miles. DEC has no firearm range, and no local public range is close.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
French Creek WMA in pictures
French Creek WMA: short answers
What game is found on French Creek WMA?
Ring-necked pheasant top the list.
How long is spring turkey on French Creek WMA?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near French Creek WMA?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Western Periphery)).
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on French Creek WMA?
Yes; DEC stocks it (349 birds this year).
Which town page is closest to French Creek WMA?
Clayton, about 3.3 mi away.
What are the stand rules on French Creek WMA?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
How does access work on French Creek WMA?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does French Creek WMA measure?
About 2,268 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on French Creek WMA?
WMU 6G, in the Northern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on French Creek WMA?
WMU 6G: regular Season Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on French Creek WMA?
Bowhunting opens Sep 27, 2026 (WMU 6G).
What are the DMP odds near French Creek WMA?
Resident first-permit odds in 6G are high; the target is 21,000.
French Creek WMA: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on French Creek WMA, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC french creek 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).