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State forest · Region 9
Harris Hill State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state forest in Chautauqua County, 2,279 acres.
Photo: seabamirum (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Harris Hill State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Harris Hill State Forest
- East Side Overland Hiking Trail – Harris Hill Rd at Gerry Ellington RdParking · 0.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Erwin Road ParkingParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Cassadaga Valley Central School Bus LotParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- East Side Overland Hiking Trail – Boutwell Hill RdParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking Lot Jamestown AirfieldParking · 6.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.5 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 Harris Hill State Forest is and who runs it
Harris Hill State Forest sits in Chautauqua County, filed as a DEC state forest. Its towns are Ellington and Gerry. Region 9 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of western New York. 2,279 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 409 state forests put it 97th. Unit plan on file: Chautauqua County.
The property page says: Hunting is allowed on the property. Be sure to abide by all laws in effect.
From DEC harris hill state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Harris Hill State Forest
Harris Hill State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Harris Hill State Forest is Hatch Creek State Forest, 2.2 mi away to the northwest. Combined: 10,090 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatch Creek | State forest | 1,284 | 9K | 2.2 mi | northwest |
| Boutwell Hill | State forest | 2,965 | 9K | 6.5 mi | north |
| Hartson Swamp | WMA | 141 | 9J | 6.8 mi | south |
| Clay Pond | WMA | 215 | 9J | 7.3 mi | south |
| Kabob | WMA | 37 | 9J | 8.2 mi | northwest |
| Conewango Swamp | WMA | 998 | 9K | 8.5 mi | east |
| Canadaway Creek | WMA | 2,190 | 9K | 11 mi | north |
| Stockton | State forest | 984 | 9J | 11 mi | west |
| Chautauqua Lake | Fish and wildlife area | 134 | 9J | 12 mi | west |
| Pine Hill | State forest | 1,142 | 9R | 14 mi | southeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harris Hill State Forest regulations, plainly
On Harris Hill State Forest the DEC state land use rules set the ground rules:
- Nothing may be nailed, screwed or cut on Harris Hill State Forest: no permanent stands, natural blinds or shooting lanes.
- Tagged portable stands are fine on Harris Hill State Forest for the season (name and address or license number on them), then they have to be removed.
- Personal property cannot be stored on Harris Hill State Forest, and that includes trail cameras.
- ATVs and trucks are kept to designated or maintained roads.
- Plan any overnight camp around the DEC camping permit rules.
State law reminders for Harris Hill State Forest
- 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 harris hill state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 9K facts for Harris Hill State Forest
The WMU map puts Harris Hill State Forest in 9K; 9K spans 446 square miles of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus. DEC set a 2026 target of 7,000 Deer Management Permits for 9K; average DMP success there runs 24.0%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Southern Zone bear rules cover 9K. The fall turkey window for 9K is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9K | Southern | 7,000 | 24.0% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 9K
9K yielded 4,100 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,162 | 1,631 |
| 2017 | 3,259 | 1,770 |
| 2018 | 3,821 | 1,848 |
| 2019 | 3,739 | 1,776 |
| 2020 | 4,401 | 1,544 |
| 2021 | 3,219 | 1,542 |
| 2022 | 4,100 | 1,710 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 9K came to 14.
DEC's bear plan for 9K 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 Harris Hill State Forest
32 species have open dates on Harris Hill State Forest 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 9K | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9K | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9K | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9K | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9K | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9K | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9K | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9K | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9K | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9K | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9K | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9K | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9K | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9K | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9K | 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 9K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9K | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9K | 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.
Getting into Harris Hill State Forest: parking and maps
Park at one of the 2 access points DEC gives for Harris Hill State Forest.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| Route 50 and Harris Hill Road parking area: 42.2188, -79.1833 | Open map |
| Bike trail parking area on Harris Hill Road: 42.2063, -79.1838 | Open map |
Map download: Harris Hill State Forest Map · Harris Hill Bike Trails Map
Parking points and maps from DEC harris hill state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Harris Hill State Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Ellington with 325 deer, 154 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellington | Chautauqua | 180 | 226 | 249 | 347 | 325 | 154 |
| Gerry | Chautauqua | 273 | 229 | 269 | 292 | 260 | 127 |
Bears reported by town: Ellington 3 in 2021; Ellington 1 in 2022; Gerry 2 in 2020; Gerry 2 in 2021.
Chautauqua County deer, 2025: 10,120.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,461 | 3,978 | 3,536 |
| 2022 | 10,515 | 4,236 | 4,628 |
| 2023 | 8,886 | 3,928 | 3,613 |
| 2024 | 8,895 | 4,453 | 3,360 |
| 2025 | 10,120 | 4,892 | 4,216 |
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.
Harris Hill State Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Harris Hill State Forest; 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 | 7:09 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:13 a.m. | 7:01 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 7:01 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:40 a.m. | 6:24 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:54 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:24 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:15 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:39 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:46 a.m. | 4:55 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:14 a.m. | 8:15 p.m. | 5:44 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. | 5:44 a.m. to 8:15 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.
Harris Hill State Forest: nearby towns and services
Kennedy is the nearest town with its own page, 6.1 mi from Harris Hill State Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy | Chautauqua | 6.1 mi | – | 9,951 |
| Cherry Creek | Chautauqua | 6.8 mi | – | 9,295 |
| Cassadaga | Chautauqua | 11 mi | 556 | 7,594 |
| Frewsburg | Chautauqua | 12 mi | – | 5,882 |
Harris Hill State Forest falls inside these county guides: Chautauqua County.
Who can cut or mount a deer from Harris Hill State Forest
DEC offices closest to Harris Hill State Forest
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.
Harris Hill State Forest: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Harris Hill State Forest: Celoron Rod and Gun Club, roughly 9 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.
Harris Hill State Forest in pictures
Harris Hill State Forest: short answers
How long is spring turkey on Harris Hill State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Harris Hill State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Which town page is closest to Harris Hill State Forest?
Kennedy, about 6.1 mi away.
What are the stand rules on Harris Hill State Forest?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
What colors are required at Harris Hill State Forest in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
What time does hunting end at Harris Hill State Forest?
Big game ends 30 minutes after sunset; upland birds at sunset.
How does access work on Harris Hill State Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Harris Hill State Forest measure?
About 2,279 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Harris Hill State Forest?
WMU 9K, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Harris Hill State Forest?
WMU 9K: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Harris Hill State Forest?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 9K).
What are the DMP odds near Harris Hill State Forest?
Resident first-permit odds in 9K are high; the target is 7,000.
Harris Hill State Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Harris Hill State Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC harris hill state forest · 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: seabamirum (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).