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Wilderness · the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley
Hunting Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
Seasons and access for hunting in Herkimer County and 1 more: white-tailed deer and black bear.
Photo: Dougtone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
Parking, trailheads and gates near Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
- Scusa TrailheadTrailhead · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Flatrock Mountain Tract ParkingParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 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.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: size, towns and manager
Listed as a Forest Preserve wilderness, Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness lies in Herkimer and Lewis counties. On the ground it lies within Webb and Greig. The DEC region is Region 6 (the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley). It measures 25,663 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 14th of 23 wilderness areas. DEC groups it in the Ha-De-Ron-Dah planning unit.
In DEC's words: The area is open for hunting though not notable for any particular species. Most commonly pursued species are deer and bear. For someone looking to enhance their chances of success scouting is a must. The animals are few and far between so knowing what they are feeding on as the fall progresses and where they may be feeding is very important.
From DEC ha de ron dah wilderness; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness hunting calendar
Season windows for Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 6J and the Northeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6J | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6J | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6J | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMU 6J | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6J | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6J | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6J | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6J | 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 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6J | 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.
How you may hunt Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness is Forest Preserve land under the State Land Use Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 190):
- Open seasons apply on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness; only posted spots are closed.
- Leave trees on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness untouched by saws, nails and screws.
- A designated campsite or a spot 150 feet off roads, trails and water is required.
New York rules that apply on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness 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 DEC ha de ron dah wilderness, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness has 5 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| At the end of Tower Road, north of the hamlet of Thendara: 43.7062, -75.0018 | Directions |
| 3 miles south of the Thendara railroad station: 43.6761, -75.0522 | Directions |
| A DEC parking area North of Okara Lakes: 43.6870, -75.0389 | Directions |
| accessible from Old Route 28 near Gull Lake. Take Jones Road north and travel ½ mile to the state boundary and parking lot. N: 43.6614, -75.1015 | Directions |
| Continue onto the Big Otter Lake Road 2.6 miles to the parking Area. Note that the Big Otter Lake Road is in extremely rough condition, and requires four-wheel drive and high clearance: 43.7218, -75.1263 | Directions |
Parking points and maps from DEC ha de ron dah wilderness; checked October 27, 2026.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness game species
2 game groups are named for Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Black bear
Sep 19–Dec 6
Species from DEC ha de ron dah wilderness; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 6J rules that reach Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
WMU 6J is the unit that counts for Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: Northern Zone, 1,576 square miles, in Lewis, Herkimer and Hamilton. 6J is one of the Adirondack WMUs where DMPs cannot be issued. Bear rules in 6J follow the Adirondacks area. 6J fall turkey season: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6J | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
6J: deer by season
The 6J deer take moved from 1,007 (2016) to 1,304 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,007 | 901 |
| 2017 | 1,034 | 965 |
| 2018 | 1,065 | 972 |
| 2019 | 1,099 | 1,005 |
| 2020 | 1,051 | 907 |
| 2021 | 1,028 | 846 |
| 2022 | 1,304 | 1,075 |
6J bear take by year: 2020 68; 2021 44; 2022 60; 2023 76; 2024 63; 2025 91.
6J bear objective: maintain moderate 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.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness pinned with nearby tracts
Around Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness lie 10 more public tracts; Independence River Wild Forest is the closest (7.0 mi). Combined: 109,577 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence River | Wild forest | 79,217 | 6J | 7.0 mi | northwest |
| Fulton Chain | Wild forest | 15,566 | 5H, 6J | 10 mi | northeast |
| Stillwater Reservoir | DEC state land | 6,700 | 6J | 12 mi | north |
| Greig | Detached parcel | 245 | 6J | 12 mi | west |
| Independence River | State forest | 694 | 6J | 12 mi | west |
| Otter Creek | State forest | 1,411 | 6J | 13 mi | west |
| High Towers | State forest | 730 | 6J | 14 mi | southwest |
| Lyonsdale | Detached parcel | 29 | 6J | 14 mi | southwest |
| Popple Pond | State forest | 2,455 | 6J | 15 mi | southwest |
| Sand Flats | State forest | 2,530 | 6J | 15 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: nearby towns and services
Head to Thendara, 4.0 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thendara | Herkimer | 4.0 mi | – | 89,570 |
| Old Forge | Herkimer | 5.3 mi | – | 88,759 |
| Otter Lake | Oneida | 8.8 mi | – | 102,585 |
| White Lake | Oneida | 13 mi | – | 81,003 |
County pages that list Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: Herkimer County, Lewis County.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 11 in Herkimer County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness
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.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Webb reached 133 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webb | Herkimer | 136 | 133 | 171 | 145 | 133 | 127 |
| Greig | Lewis | 156 | 58 | 89 | 150 | 138 | 110 |
Black bears by town: Webb, 2020, 6; Webb, 2021, 6; Webb, 2022, 8; Greig, 2020, 5; Greig, 2021, 1; Greig, 2022, 7.
Across Herkimer County, DEC counted 2,267 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,690 | 1,712 | 837 |
| 2022 | 2,729 | 1,662 | 883 |
| 2023 | 2,263 | 1,542 | 604 |
| 2024 | 2,590 | 1,692 | 739 |
| 2025 | 2,267 | 1,465 | 625 |
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.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: nearest firing lines
Beaver River Fish and Game Club is the closest listed range to Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness, about 15 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: 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 | 6:51 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:55 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:04 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:34 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:00 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:25 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:32 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:00 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.
Around Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: photos
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: short answers
What do I need to hunt Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
Does the orange law apply on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
6J, a Northern Zone unit.
What does Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness measure?
25,663 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
Early Bowhunting: Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
The regular Season runs Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
What species go with Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
Named game: white-tailed deer and black bear.
Why are there no DMPs at Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
State law keeps DMPs out of 6J.
Is Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness in a bear hunting area?
Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Adirondacks)).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
Are tree stands allowed on Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
How far is Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness from a town?
Thendara is 4.0 mi away.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness before the drive.
Sources: DEC ha de ron dah wilderness · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: TonySprezzatura (CC BY-SA 2.0); PEHart (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).