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What hunters need to know about Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
Rules, WMU 5F season dates, maps and neighbors for a wilderness in Essex County.
Photo: Shiva Shenoy (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
Parking, trailheads and gates near Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
- Crow Clearing Parking AreaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Trailhead ParkingParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Hurricane Mountain Parking AreaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- North Trail Parking AreaParking · 3.2 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.
What Hurricane Mountain Wilderness is
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness is a Forest Preserve wilderness in Essex County. It is a Region 5 property, in the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. Size: 14,235 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 20 others of the 23 wilderness areas are larger. Management direction comes from the Hurricane Mountain unit plan.
From the DEC page for Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: Hunters may use the parking areas , roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers to access the lands in this area. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane. The Hurricane Mountain Wilderness provides large tracts of land with no trails for big and small game hunting. The lower elevations in the east of Hurricane Mountain offer great wilderness hunting opportunities.
From DEC hurricane mountain wilderness; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness hunting rules for 2026-27
Forest Preserve land such as Hurricane Mountain Wilderness follows 6 NYCRR Part 190:
- Hunting and trapping are allowed on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness during open seasons unless an area is posted.
- On Hurricane Mountain Wilderness a saw, a nail or a screw-in step all break the Part 190 rules.
- Tents go 150 feet or more from any road, trail or water, except at designated sites.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
- 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 hurricane mountain wilderness, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness, and when
This calendar is cut down to Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: its WMU (5F), 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 5F | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 5F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 5F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 5F | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMU 5F | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 5F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 5F | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 5F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 5F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 5F | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 5F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 5F | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5F | 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 5F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 5F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 5F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 5F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 5F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 5F | 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.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: WMU 5F numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 5F, 1,328 square miles in the Northern Zone covering parts of Essex, Franklin and Hamilton. By law no DMPs are issued in 5F, an Adirondack unit. The bear area for 5F is Adirondacks. Fall turkey in 5F: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5F | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
Calculated deer take, 5F
In 2022, 5F produced 846 deer by DEC's estimate (689 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 689 | 575 |
| 2017 | 718 | 600 |
| 2018 | 890 | 730 |
| 2019 | 767 | 651 |
| 2020 | 770 | 607 |
| 2021 | 757 | 647 |
| 2022 | 846 | 703 |
Bear harvest in 5F for 2025 was 15, or 1.1 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 5F 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.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness game species
Expect big game and small game on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness.
Big game
Oct 24–Dec 6
Small game
Oct 1–Mar 21
Species from DEC hurricane mountain wilderness; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
Map in print form: Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Map
Parking points and maps from DEC hurricane mountain wilderness; checked October 27, 2026.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Hurricane Mountain Wilderness, starting with Jay Mountain Wilderness. Combined: 485,559 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Mountain | Wilderness | 7,864 | 5F | 4.1 mi | northeast |
| Giant Mountain | Wilderness | 23,753 | 5F | 6.2 mi | south |
| Sentinel Range | Wilderness | 23,871 | 5F | 8.7 mi | west |
| Dix Mountain Tract | DEC state land | 45,208 | 5F | 12 mi | south |
| Wilmington | Wild forest | 16,940 | 5C, 5F | 14 mi | northwest |
| McKenzie Mountain | Wilderness | 37,366 | 5F | 16 mi | northwest |
| Split Rock Mountain | Wild forest | 3,542 | 5G | 17 mi | east |
| Hammond Pond | Wild forest | 46,850 | 5F, 5G | 19 mi | south |
| High Peaks Wilderness Complex | Wilderness | 275,351 | 5F | 19 mi | southwest |
| Terry Mountain | State forest | 4,814 | 5C | 22 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
The 2025 deer take for Essex County was 1,788.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,436 | 1,167 | 252 |
| 2022 | 1,864 | 1,418 | 362 |
| 2023 | 1,559 | 1,302 | 203 |
| 2024 | 1,524 | 1,251 | 247 |
| 2025 | 1,788 | 1,418 | 275 |
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.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: nearby towns and services
Elizabethtown sits 6.0 mi from Hurricane Mountain Wilderness, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | Essex | 6.0 mi | – | 54,213 |
| Wilmington | Essex | 11 mi | – | 86,312 |
| Lake Placid | Essex | 14 mi | 2,302 | 148,134 |
| Westport | Essex | 14 mi | – | 7,113 |
Open the county guide for Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: Essex County.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: businesses close by
Essex County is home to 20 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: 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.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: nearest firing lines
Chesterfield Fish & Game Club, 6 miles away, is the nearest range to Hurricane Mountain Wilderness; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: 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 Hurricane Mountain Wilderness and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 6:51 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:20 a.m. | 5:59 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:58 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:22 a.m. | 4:17 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:17 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:30 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:48 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 7:57 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.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness in pictures
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
Archery runs Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 to start.
Does Hurricane Mountain Wilderness have Deer Management Permits?
No DMPs exist for 5F.
What species go with Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
You will find big game and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
WMU 5F is open for bears Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026.
How far is Hurricane Mountain Wilderness from a town?
Elizabethtown is 6.0 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
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 Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Hurricane Mountain Wilderness open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Hurricane Mountain Wilderness measure?
The record lists 14,235 acres.
What zone and WMU is Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
The DEC WMU layer gives 5F (Northern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 5F.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Hurricane Mountain Wilderness.
Sources: DEC hurricane mountain 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: NPS Photo (Public domain); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); Adventure George (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).