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Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve for hunters
Public hunting ground in Putnam County and 1 more: access rules, WMU 3N seasons, permits, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: edenpictures (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Parking, trailheads and gates near Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 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 areaParking · 2.2 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.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve at a glance
The records class Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve as a state park with a hunting program in Putnam and Dutchess counties. Regional staff for the lower Hudson Valley (Region 3) look after it. The managing agency is the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Its 9,779 acres come from NY State Parks Property layer. That ranks 7th of the 83 state parks on our New York list.
From NYS Parks hudson highlands state park preserve; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Open seasons on Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve this year
48 dated seasons for 33 species reach Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, matched to WMU 3N, the Southeastern duck zone and the South goose area.
| Species | Season | WMU or zone | Open | Close | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3N | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3N | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3N | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3N | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3N | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3N | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3N | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Orange and Putnam | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3N | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3N | 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 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3N | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3N | 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.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: access and site rules
Park hunting on Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve runs under the OPRHP statewide hunting rules (6 NYCRR 372.7(q)):
- A NYS Parks regional hunting permit for this park is required, and only the designated hunting areas are open.
- Species, hunting areas, legal implements and dates all come from the permit.
- Tree damage, permanent blinds and permanent stands are all off limits.
- Respect posted Restricted Areas and answer park harvest requests.
Rules from the state guide, on Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
- Pink counts the same as orange; firearm deer and bear hunters need 250 square inches or a qualifying hat.
- Keep 500 feet from occupied houses and farm buildings with a gun (250 feet with a crossbow, 150 feet with a bow) unless the owner consents.
- Feeding deer or bear is prohibited at any time, and baited areas are off limits.
- Sunday is a hunting day under state law.
From NYS Parks hudson highlands state park preserve, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: what the park permit covers
Species and implements mapped for the hunting areas of Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve:
| Quarry | Implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun |
| Turkey (spring) | Archery, Crossbow, Shotgun |
The DEC deer list flags a park permit here. Questions go to (845) 225-7207.
Park layer remarks on Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
- Big game deer hunting is archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and shotgun. Spring turkey hunting is shotgun, archery, and crossbow only. Contact park office for additional information.
Park page text: Hunting: Deer hunting (bow and shotgun) and spring turkey hunting (bow and shotgun) are permitted in season. A New York State Hunting License as well as a Park Permit is required. Please call the Park Office for more details. Archery only. – May enter woods ½ hour before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset. Park hunting permit required – unlimited. Gun season: Shotgun only. Map available at park office. May enter woods at ½ hour before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset. Park hunting permit is required – limited to first 200 hunters. Spring Turkey – shotgun or bow, (no weekends or …
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Where to park at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Paper map to print: Hudson Highlands Hunting Map North · Hudson Highlands Hunting Map South · Hunting Map North · Hunting Map South
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks hudson highlands state park preserve; checked October 27, 2026.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: species list
Game listed for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Species from NYS Parks hudson highlands state park preserve; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Deer permits and harvest in the WMU over Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
3N is the Wildlife Management Unit over Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve; it covers 223 square miles in Putnam and Dutchess. 3N gets 3,200 DMPs in 2026. Hunters fill about 4.9% of them, and first-choice resident odds are high. For bears, 3N falls in the Southern Zone area. Fall turkey dates for 3N: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | Avg. success | Chance, resident | APR | Weapons | Bear zone | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3N | Southern | 3,200 | 4.9% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3N deer numbers
Deer take in 3N: 741 in 2016, 544 in 2022.
| Season | Deer | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 741 | 422 |
| 2017 | 626 | 367 |
| 2018 | 694 | 419 |
| 2019 | 687 | 423 |
| 2020 | 519 | 240 |
| 2021 | 443 | 280 |
| 2022 | 544 | 327 |
Bears taken in 3N: 0 in 2020, 2 in 2021, 3 in 2022, 0 in 2023, 1 in 2024, 1 in 2025.
DEC's bear objective for 3N: 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.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve and the public land around it
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve gets the large pin; the closest neighbor is Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, 4.5 mi east. The listed neighbors hold 35,221 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Unit | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence Fahnestock Memorial | State park | 15,537 | 3N | 4.5 mi | east |
| Baxtertown Woods | WMA | 248 | 3F | 4.7 mi | north |
| Storm King | State park | 1,908 | 3P | 5.1 mi | southwest |
| Taconic | Watershed unit | 117 | 3N | 6.9 mi | east |
| West Branch Headwaters | Watershed unit | 562 | 3N | 7.6 mi | east |
| Knapp Road | Watershed unit | 187 | 3N | 8.4 mi | east |
| West Point | Army post | 15,386 | 3P | 8.9 mi | southwest |
| California Hill | State forest | 983 | 3N | 9.0 mi | east |
| Summit | Watershed unit | 57 | 3N | 9.0 mi | east |
| Richardsville | Watershed unit | 236 | 3N | 9.4 mi | east |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve trip planning
From Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, Maybrook is 14 mi by straight line.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maybrook | Orange | 14 mi | 3,141 | 6,618 |
| Carmel | Putnam | 14 mi | – | 4,139 |
| Lake Carmel | Putnam | 15 mi | – | 4,976 |
| Wallkill | Ulster | 15 mi | – | 7,399 |
The county guide covering Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: Putnam County, Dutchess County.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: businesses close by
Licensed guides based in Putnam County: 4, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
Nearest DEC desks for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
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.
Local deer numbers for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve
Putnam County as a whole recorded 524 deer in 2025.
| Year | Total | 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.
Nearest public range for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve hunters
Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range is the nearest public range to Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, about 39 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve shooting hours by key date
Big game legal light at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve brackets sunrise and sunset by 30 minutes; migratory birds open 30 minutes before sunrise and stop at sunset.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for big game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve in pictures
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve FAQ for 2026-27
Which WMU rules apply on Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
WMU 3N; that puts it in the Southern Zone.
What deer season covers Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026, per the 2026-27 guide.
Is there an early bow season at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
The first bow window is Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
What is the 2026 DMP target for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
3N target: 3,200 DMPs.
Which animals are named for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
The list names white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
What are the spring turkey dates for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
Spring season runs May 1 to May 31, 2027; hours end at noon.
When is bear season at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
Bear season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 in WMU 3N.
How far is Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve from a town?
Maybrook (14 mi).
Where do I get the hunting permit for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
From the park office or the NYS Parks regional permit system; the permit sets areas, species, implements and dates.
What are the blaze orange rules at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
Firearm deer and bear hunters must wear orange or pink above the waist.
Can I hunt Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve with just a hunting license?
Through the park's hunting permit and only in designated areas.
What size do the sources give Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve?
Its size is 9,779 acres.
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve: confirm these before you go
Print the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve map, carry your license and tags, and read the posted signs at the parking area.
Sources: NYS Parks hudson highlands state park preserve · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0).