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Public hunting · WMA
What hunters need to know about Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Rules, WMU 3G season dates, maps and neighbors for a wma in Putnam County.
Photo: Skellig2008 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Inn ParkingParking · 1.1 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.
What Great Swamp WMA is
Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area is a DEC wildlife management area in Putnam County. The DEC page names Patterson as the town it falls in. It is a Region 3 property, in the lower Hudson Valley. Size: 560 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 62 others of the 119 WMAs are larger. DEC's own page says 444 acres.
From the DEC page for Great Swamp WMA: Hunting opportunities at the WMA include native small game species, waterfowl, and white-tailed deer. In addition, DEC stocks pheasants in the upland area off of Cornwall Hill Road.
From DEC great swamp 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 Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Great Swamp WMA hunting rules for 2026-27
As a DEC wildlife area, Great Swamp WMA carries the Part 51 restrictions:
- Unless signs say otherwise, target shooting is off limits on Great Swamp WMA.
- Overnight camping requires a written DEC permit.
- No off-road motor vehicles unless DEC permits or posts it.
- DEC prohibits cutting vegetation and building permanent stands or blinds here.
- Gear left on Great Swamp WMA at day end, trail cameras included, breaks the rules; a stand labeled with your name and address or DEC ID may stay overnight until the season closes.
- Respect "No Trespassing" postings; entry needs DEC approval in writing.
- No overnight boat mooring; fires only to cook or keep warm.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Great Swamp WMA
- 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 DEC great swamp wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Great Swamp WMA, and when
This calendar is cut down to Great Swamp WMA: its WMU (3G), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Orange and Putnam | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3G | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3G | 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 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3G | 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.
Great Swamp WMA: WMU 3G numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 3G, 457 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Dutchess and Putnam. For 3G, DEC aims to issue 5,200 DMPs in 2026; success averages 6.9% and residents' first-DMP odds are high. The bear area for 3G is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 3G: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3G | Southern | 5,200 | 6.9% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 3G
In 2022, 3G produced 1,125 deer by DEC's estimate (1,178 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,178 | 706 |
| 2017 | 1,130 | 704 |
| 2018 | 1,284 | 815 |
| 2019 | 1,326 | 878 |
| 2020 | 1,673 | 825 |
| 2021 | 1,138 | 670 |
| 2022 | 1,125 | 668 |
Bear harvest in 3G for 2025 was 18, or 3.9 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 3G is to 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.
Great Swamp WMA game species
Expect white-tailed deer, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant and small game on Great Swamp WMA.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC great swamp wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Pheasant stocking on Great Swamp WMA
578 pheasants, 6 releases: that is the 2026 plan for Great Swamp WMA.
| Release site | Type | Town | Acres of fields | Program | Stocking days | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Swamp WMA | Public – open access | Patterson | 33 | Youth, regular | 6 | 578 |
| Week beginning | Birds |
|---|---|
| 09/21 | 51 |
| 09/28 | 109 |
| 10/05 | 58 |
| 10/12 | 51 |
| 10/19 | 51 |
| 10/26 | 58 |
| 11/02 | 58 |
| 12/07 | 52 |
| 12/14 | 45 |
| 12/15 | 45 |
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Maps and parking around Great Swamp WMA
DEC lists 1 parking or access point for Great Swamp WMA.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Cornwall Hill Road: 41.4913, -73.6039 | Get there |
Map in print form: Great Swamp WMA Map
Parking points and maps from DEC great swamp wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
Great Swamp WMA and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Great Swamp WMA, starting with Cranberry Mountain WMA. Combined: 4,893 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberry Mountain | WMA | 1,193 | 3G | 2.0 mi | east |
| Wonder Lake | State park | 1,188 | 3G | 2.6 mi | west |
| Bog Brook | Unique area | 132 | 3G | 3.6 mi | south |
| Horse Pound Brook | Watershed unit | 1,029 | 3N | 5.1 mi | west |
| Dean Pond | Watershed unit | 199 | 3N | 5.4 mi | southwest |
| North Putnam | Watershed unit | 32 | 3N | 5.8 mi | west |
| Adams | Watershed unit | 176 | 3N | 5.9 mi | southwest |
| Big Buck Mountain | Multiple use area | 181 | 3N | 6.0 mi | west |
| Grape Hollow | State forest | 507 | 3G | 6.0 mi | northwest |
| Depot Hill | Multiple use area | 256 | 3G | 6.5 mi | northwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Great Swamp WMA
Patterson logged 70 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patterson | Putnam | 84 | 51 | 67 | 67 | 70 | 48 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Patterson (2021) 3, Patterson (2022) 1.
The 2025 deer take for Putnam County was 524.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Great Swamp WMA trip planning
Putnam Lake sits 2.8 mi from Great Swamp WMA, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam Lake | Putnam | 2.8 mi | – | 4,017 |
| Lake Carmel | Putnam | 4.1 mi | – | 4,976 |
| Carmel | Putnam | 7.8 mi | – | 4,139 |
| Wingdale | Dutchess | 9.8 mi | – | 3,034 |
Open the county guide for Great Swamp WMA: Putnam County.
Great Swamp WMA: businesses close by
Putnam County is home to 4 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Great Swamp WMA: 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.
Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
For hunters on Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area, the nearest public range is Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range in Westchester County (43 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Great Swamp WMA: 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 Great Swamp WMA and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
The look of Great Swamp WMA country
Great Swamp WMA questions, answered from the record
Is Great Swamp WMA a pheasant release site?
Yes. The 2026 plan is 578 pheasants.
How far is Great Swamp WMA from a town?
Putnam Lake is 2.8 mi away.
Is Great Swamp WMA open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Great Swamp WMA measure?
The record lists 560 acres.
What zone and WMU is Great Swamp WMA?
The DEC WMU layer gives 3G (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Great Swamp WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 3G.
What is the bowhunting window on Great Swamp WMA?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Great Swamp WMA?
Yes: WMU 3G has a 2026 target of 5,200 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are high.
What species go with Great Swamp WMA?
You will find white-tailed deer, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Great Swamp WMA?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Great Swamp WMA?
WMU 3G is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Can I hunt ducks on Great Swamp WMA?
Duck split one runs Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026 (Southeastern Zone).
Great Swamp WMA: confirm these before you go
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Great Swamp WMA.
Sources: DEC great swamp 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: Mike's Birds (CC BY-SA 2.0); mbarrison (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Mike's Birds (CC BY-SA 2.0).