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WMA · Region 8
High Tor Wildlife Management Area: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wma in Yates County and 1 more, 6,937 acres.
Photo: marcn (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to High Tor Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near High Tor Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 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 High Tor WMA is and who runs it
High Tor Wildlife Management Area sits in Ontario and Yates counties, filed as a DEC wildlife management area. Its towns are Naples, Middlesex and Italy. Region 8 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley. 6,937 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 119 WMAs put it 9th. Unit plan on file: Canandaiqua Highlands.
The property page says: The area offers a variety of wildlife, with the more important game species being white-tailed deer , wild turkey , ruffed grouse , cottontail rabbit, grey squirrel, waterfowl, muskrat, raccoon, and mink.
From DEC high tor 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 High Tor Wildlife Management Area
High Tor WMA pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to High Tor WMA is Italy Hill State Forest, 5.3 mi away to the east. Combined: 19,419 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy Hill | State forest | 1,957 | 8R | 5.3 mi | east |
| Wolf Gull | WMA | 110 | 8N | 7.0 mi | southwest |
| Bare Hill | Unique area | 564 | 8N | 7.4 mi | north |
| Honeoye Inlet | WMA | 2,763 | 8N | 8.2 mi | northwest |
| Stid Hill | WMA | 1,035 | 8N | 9.1 mi | north |
| Harriet Hollister Spencer Recreation | State park | 1,597 | 8N | 9.1 mi | northwest |
| Keuka Lake | State park | 632 | 8R | 12 mi | east |
| Urbana | State forest | 2,706 | 8P | 13 mi | south |
| Hemlock-Canadice | State forest | 7,060 | 8N | 14 mi | west |
| Pigtail Hollow | State forest | 995 | 8P | 14 mi | south |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
High Tor WMA regulations, plainly
Part 51 of 6 NYCRR lays out what is allowed on High Tor WMA:
- Target shooting on High Tor 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 High Tor 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 High Tor 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 high tor wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 8N facts for High Tor WMA
The WMU map puts High Tor WMA in 8N; 8N spans 314 square miles of Ontario, Livingston and Yates. 8N has unlimited Deer Management Permits in 2026. Southern Zone bear rules cover 8N. The fall turkey window for 8N is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8N | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 12.4% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 8N
8N yielded 4,907 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,084 | 1,820 |
| 2017 | 4,559 | 1,789 |
| 2018 | 5,010 | 1,770 |
| 2019 | 4,439 | 1,775 |
| 2020 | 4,604 | 1,725 |
| 2021 | 4,291 | 1,628 |
| 2022 | 4,907 | 1,803 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 8N came to 4.
DEC's bear plan for 8N 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 High Tor WMA
31 species have open dates on High Tor 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 | September antlerless | WMU 8N | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8N | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8N | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8N | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8N | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8N | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8N | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 8N | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8N | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8N | 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 8N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8N | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8N | 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.
Stocked pheasants at High Tor WMA
High Tor WMA is on the 2026 DEC pheasant stocking list with 648 birds over 7 stockings.
| Release site | Access | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Releases | Birds 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Tor WMA | Public – open access | Naples | 166 | Youth, regular | 7 | 648 |
| Week of | Birds |
|---|---|
| 10/05 | 76 |
| 10/12 | 78 |
| 10/19 | 149 |
| 10/26 | 124 |
| 11/02 | 96 |
| 01/05 | 63 |
| 01/12 | 62 |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
Release site rule: Closed to pheasant hunting on Tuesdays and Fridays.
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Ducks and geese at High Tor WMA
DEC lists High Tor WMA among its places to hunt waterfowl. Use the Western zone duck calendar. Canada goose dates: South area.
| Map entry | Owner | Type | Special rules? |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Tor WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | Yes |
Listed note: Area around Woodville Boat Launch not open to hunting. See WMA webpage for details.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
High Tor WMA game species
The source names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and ruffed grouse and more on High Tor WMA.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Feb 28
Species from DEC high tor wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into High Tor WMA: parking and maps
Park at one of the 25 access points DEC gives for High Tor WMA.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| Parish Hill Road, large parking area: 42.6347, -77.3571 | Open map |
| Parish Hill Road, small parking area: 42.6352, -77.3362 | Open map |
| Donley Road: 42.6283, -77.3363 | Open map |
| Brink Hill Road, gravel: 42.6178, -77.3343 | Open map |
| Bassett Road: 42.6045, -77.3510 | Open map |
| Bassett Road, large parking area, kiosk: 42.6001, -77.3635 | Open map |
| East Hill Road, large, trail to river: 42.6087, -77.4029 | Open map |
| East Hill Road, Mark Circle, fishing access to stream: 42.6094, -77.4036 | Open map |
| Route 245, start of a trail: 42.6352, -77.3673 | Open map |
| Route 245, in front of DEC operations bldg: 42.6259, -77.3897 | Open map |
| Route 245: 42.6451, -77.3523 | Open map |
| West River boat ramp: Route 245, large: 42.6511, -77.3400 | Open map |
| Caward Cross Road, pull off: 42.6850, -77.2897 | Open map |
| West Avenue: 42.6703, -77.3097 | Open map |
Map download: High Tor WMA Map
Accessible facilities: From the Mark Circle Parking Area at the intersection with East Hill Road , wheelchair accessible features include the: Fishing/viewing platform The fishing platform on the stream is approximately 500 feet from the parking area. From the West River Boat Launch Parking Area, off State Route 245 , wheelchair accessible features include the: Trailered boat launch with dock; and …
Parking points and maps from DEC high tor wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
High Tor WMA: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Naples with 678 deer, 254 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naples | Ontario | 689 | 678 | 656 | 810 | 678 | 254 |
| Middlesex | Yates | 534 | 542 | 471 | 572 | 474 | 200 |
| Italy | Yates | 430 | 469 | 310 | 370 | 397 | 172 |
Bears reported by town: Naples 1 in 2021; Middlesex 1 in 2020; Middlesex 1 in 2022; Italy 3 in 2020; Italy 1 in 2021; Italy 1 in 2022.
Yates County deer, 2025: 4,768.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,324 | 1,781 | 1,968 |
| 2022 | 4,663 | 1,853 | 2,050 |
| 2023 | 4,394 | 1,930 | 1,780 |
| 2024 | 4,440 | 1,950 | 1,871 |
| 2025 | 4,768 | 2,115 | 2,149 |
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.
High Tor WMA hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for High Tor 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 | 7:00 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:04 a.m. | 6:52 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:52 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:31 a.m. | 6:14 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 6:14 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:07 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:38 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:04 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 5:34 a.m. to 8:37 p.m. | 5:34 a.m. to 8:07 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.
High Tor WMA: nearby towns and services
Naples is the nearest town with its own page, 3.0 mi from High Tor WMA.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naples | Ontario | 3.0 mi | 954 | 12,805 |
| Honeoye | Ontario | 13 mi | – | 11,068 |
| Penn Yan | Yates | 15 mi | 5,024 | 1,380 |
| Hemlock | Livingston | 17 mi | – | 10,833 |
High Tor WMA falls inside these county guides: Ontario County, Yates County.
High Tor WMA: businesses close by
7 licensed guides are registered in Yates County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to High Tor 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.
High Tor Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to High Tor Wildlife Management Area: Branchport Rod & Gun Club, roughly 8 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.
High Tor WMA in pictures
High Tor WMA: short answers
How long is spring turkey on High Tor WMA?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near High Tor WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When does waterfowl open at High Tor WMA?
It is in the Western Zone; split one Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on High Tor WMA?
Yes; DEC stocks it (648 birds this year).
Which town page is closest to High Tor WMA?
Naples, about 3.0 mi away.
What are the stand rules on High Tor WMA?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
How does access work on High Tor WMA?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does High Tor WMA measure?
About 6,937 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on High Tor WMA?
WMU 8N, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on High Tor WMA?
WMU 8N: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on High Tor WMA?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 8N).
What game is found on High Tor WMA?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare and squirrel top the list.
High Tor WMA: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on High Tor WMA, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC high tor wildlife management area · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); Marco Zanferrari (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).