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Public hunting · WMA
What hunters need to know about Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Rules, WMU 9J season dates, maps and neighbors for a wma in Chautauqua County.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 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 Hartson Swamp WMA is
Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area is a DEC wildlife management area in Chautauqua County. The DEC page names Poland as the town it falls in. It is a Region 9 property, in western New York. Size: 141 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 93 others of the 119 WMAs are larger. DEC's own page says 98 acres.
From the DEC page for Hartson Swamp WMA: Hunting is allowed within Hartson Swamp WMA.
From DEC hartson 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 Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Hartson Swamp WMA hunting rules for 2026-27
As a DEC wildlife area, Hartson Swamp WMA carries the Part 51 restrictions:
- Unless signs say otherwise, target shooting is off limits on Hartson 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 Hartson 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 Hartson 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 hartson swamp wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Hartson Swamp WMA, and when
This calendar is cut down to Hartson Swamp WMA: its WMU (9J), 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 9J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9J | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9J | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9J | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9J | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9J | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9J | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9J | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9J | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9J | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9J | 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 9J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9J | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9J | 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.
Hartson Swamp WMA: WMU 9J numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 9J, 694 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Chautauqua. For 9J, DEC aims to issue 17,000 DMPs in 2026; success averages 21.0% and residents' first-DMP odds are high. The bear area for 9J is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 9J: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9J | Southern | 17,000 | 21.0% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 9J
In 2022, 9J produced 6,708 deer by DEC's estimate (5,373 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,373 | 2,510 |
| 2017 | 5,538 | 2,563 |
| 2018 | 6,735 | 2,805 |
| 2019 | 6,476 | 2,787 |
| 2020 | 7,210 | 2,701 |
| 2021 | 5,774 | 2,629 |
| 2022 | 6,708 | 2,854 |
Bear harvest in 9J for 2025 was 43, or 6.2 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 9J is to 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.
Maps and parking around Hartson Swamp WMA
DEC lists 1 parking or access point for Hartson Swamp WMA.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Parking area: 42.1324, -79.1340 | Get there |
Map in print form: Hartson Swamp WMA Map
Parking points and maps from DEC hartson swamp wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
Hartson Swamp WMA and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Hartson Swamp WMA, starting with Clay Pond WMA. Combined: 15,051 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Pond | WMA | 215 | 9J | 2.1 mi | southwest |
| Harris Hill | State forest | 2,279 | 9K | 6.8 mi | north |
| Conewango Swamp | WMA | 998 | 9K | 7.3 mi | northeast |
| Pine Hill | State forest | 1,142 | 9R | 8.5 mi | east |
| Hatch Creek | State forest | 1,284 | 9K | 8.8 mi | northwest |
| South Valley | State forest | 4,482 | 9R | 9.2 mi | southeast |
| Allegheny Reservoir | WMA | 1,106 | 9R | 9.8 mi | southeast |
| Boutwell Hill | State forest | 2,965 | 9K | 13 mi | north |
| Wellman | Multiple use area | 446 | 9J | 14 mi | southwest |
| Chautauqua Lake | Fish and wildlife area | 134 | 9J | 14 mi | west |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Hartson Swamp WMA
Poland logged 273 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | Chautauqua | 205 | 207 | 245 | 274 | 273 | 139 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Poland (2021) 2, Poland (2022) 3.
The 2025 deer take for Chautauqua County was 10,120.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hartson Swamp WMA: nearby towns and services
Kennedy sits 3.0 mi from Hartson Swamp WMA, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy | Chautauqua | 3.0 mi | – | 9,951 |
| Frewsburg | Chautauqua | 4.9 mi | – | 5,882 |
| Cherry Creek | Chautauqua | 12 mi | – | 9,295 |
| Cassadaga | Chautauqua | 17 mi | 556 | 7,594 |
Open the county guide for Hartson Swamp WMA: Chautauqua County.
Hartson Swamp WMA: businesses close by
Hartson 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.
Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
NWTF chapter banquet: 1 upcoming event, on site or a few miles off.
Still ahead
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2027 | Chautauqua Lake NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 5 | Frewsburg | Get tickets | Source |
Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Celoron Rod and Gun Club, 7 miles away, is the nearest range to Hartson Swamp Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Hartson 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 Hartson Swamp WMA and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hartson Swamp WMA in pictures
Hartson Swamp WMA questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Hartson Swamp WMA?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Hartson Swamp WMA?
Yes: WMU 9J has a 2026 target of 17,000 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are high.
When does turkey season open on Hartson Swamp WMA?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Hartson Swamp WMA?
WMU 9J is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Hartson Swamp WMA from a town?
Kennedy is 3.0 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Hartson Swamp WMA?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Does the orange law apply on Hartson Swamp WMA?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
When does legal light start at Hartson Swamp WMA?
Big game from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; ducks stop at sunset.
Is Hartson Swamp WMA open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Hartson Swamp WMA measure?
The record lists 141 acres.
What zone and WMU is Hartson Swamp WMA?
The DEC WMU layer gives 9J (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Hartson Swamp WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 9J.
Hartson Swamp WMA: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Hartson Swamp WMA.
Sources: DEC hartson swamp wildlife management area · 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); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).