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Wilderness · the Capital District and northern Catskills
Hunting Indian Head Wilderness
Seasons and access for hunting in Greene County and 1 more: white-tailed deer, black bear and coyote.
Photo: cm195902 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Indian Head Wilderness
Parking, trailheads and gates near Indian Head Wilderness
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Prediger Road TrailheadParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Roaring Kill trailheadParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Huckleberry Point TrailheadParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Meads Meadow TrailheadParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- 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.
Indian Head Wilderness: size, towns and manager
Listed as a Forest Preserve wilderness, Indian Head Wilderness lies in Greene and Ulster counties. On the ground it lies within Hunter, Saugerties and Woodstock. The DEC region is Region 4 (the Capital District and northern Catskills). It measures 17,439 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 19th of 23 wilderness areas. Page text and map differ: the page prints 11,500 acres. DEC groups it in the Indian Head planning unit.
In DEC's words: Hunting and trapping are allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include deer, bear, bobcat, coyote and fisher.
From DEC indian head wilderness; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Indian Head Wilderness
Indian Head Wilderness hunting calendar
Season windows for Indian Head Wilderness, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 3A and the Southeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMU 3A | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3A | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3A | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3A | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3A | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3A | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3A | 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 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3A | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3A | 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.
How you may hunt Indian Head Wilderness
Indian Head Wilderness is Forest Preserve land under the State Land Use Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 190):
- Open seasons apply on Indian Head Wilderness; only posted spots are closed.
- Leave trees on Indian Head Wilderness untouched by saws, nails and screws.
- A designated campsite or a spot 150 feet off roads, trails and water is required.
New York rules that apply on Indian Head Wilderness too
- Firearm deer and bear hunters, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least half orange or pink.
- Mind the 500-foot firearm setback from dwellings and farm buildings near the boundary.
- Bait, salt licks and mineral attractants are illegal for deer and bear, and feeding them is banned year-round.
- Sundays are open statewide; only a site rule can close them.
From DEC indian head wilderness, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Indian Head Wilderness
Indian Head Wilderness has 7 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| Phoenicia Trail Trailhead is located at the end of Notch Inn Road: 42.1375, -74.2112 | Directions |
| Lake Hill Parking Lot is located off of Mink Hollow Road, 2.9 north of its intersection with NYS Route 212: 42.1051, -74.1736 | Directions |
| Roaring Kill Parking Lot is located on Roaring Kill Road, 1.4 miles for its intersection with Elka Park Road: 42.1512, -74.1308 | Directions |
| Old Mink Hollow Road Trailhead is located at the end of Mink Hollow Road off of Elka Park Road: 42.1436, -74.1581 | Directions |
| Prediger Road Parking Lot is located at the end of Prediger Road, off of Platte Cove Road: 42.1341, -74.1044 | Directions |
| Public Fishing Stream Parking is located on Roaring Kill Road, off of Elka Park Road: 42.1574, -74.1383 | Directions |
| Steenburgh Road Parking Lot is located off of Platte Clove Road: 42.1336, -74.0822 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Indian Head Wilderness Map
Parking points and maps from DEC indian head wilderness; checked October 27, 2026.
Indian Head Wilderness game species
4 game groups are named for Indian Head Wilderness; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
Species from DEC indian head wilderness; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3A rules that reach Indian Head Wilderness
WMU 3A is the unit that counts for Indian Head Wilderness: Southern Zone, 694 square miles, in Ulster, Greene and Sullivan. The DMP table gives 3A 175 permits in 2026 and rates resident odds "LO/DV". Antler restrictions cover 3A, so a legal buck has 3 points on a side. Bear rules in 3A follow the Southern Zone area. 3A fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3A | Southern | 175 | – | LO/DV | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3A: deer by season
The 3A deer take moved from 774 (2016) to 915 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 774 | 652 |
| 2017 | 803 | 662 |
| 2018 | 912 | 775 |
| 2019 | 897 | 749 |
| 2020 | 1,077 | 893 |
| 2021 | 935 | 812 |
| 2022 | 915 | 715 |
3A bear take by year: 2020 80; 2021 101; 2022 58; 2023 70; 2024 56; 2025 95.
3A bear objective: reduce 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.
Indian Head Wilderness pinned with nearby tracts
Around Indian Head Wilderness lie 10 more public tracts; Roaring Kill DEP unit is the closest (2.1 mi). Combined: 2,998 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roaring Kill | Watershed unit | 177 | 3A | 2.1 mi | north |
| Schoharie Headwaters | Watershed unit | 67 | 3A | 2.1 mi | northeast |
| Mink Hollow | Watershed unit | 644 | 3A | 3.1 mi | southwest |
| South Roundtop | Watershed unit | 302 | 3A | 3.1 mi | northeast |
| Platte Clove Road | Watershed unit | 108 | 3A | 3.4 mi | north |
| Overlook Mountain | Wild forest | 1,131 | 3A | 3.5 mi | southeast |
| Roundtop Mountain | Watershed unit | 331 | 3A | 3.8 mi | north |
| Stony Clove | Watershed unit | 96 | 3A | 4.5 mi | west |
| Warner Creek North | Watershed unit | 58 | 3A | 4.8 mi | west |
| Twilight Park | Watershed unit | 84 | 3A | 4.8 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Indian Head Wilderness: nearby towns and services
Head to Tannersville, 5.1 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tannersville | Greene | 5.1 mi | 565 | 66,878 |
| Haines Falls | Greene | 5.6 mi | – | 59,768 |
| Palenville | Greene | 7.2 mi | – | 46,141 |
| Hunter | Greene | 7.3 mi | 409 | 79,112 |
County pages that list Indian Head Wilderness: Greene County, Ulster County.
Indian Head Wilderness: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 13 in Greene County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Indian Head Wilderness
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.
Indian Head Wilderness: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Hunter reached 70 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter | Greene | 60 | 88 | 78 | 105 | 70 | 64 |
| Saugerties | Ulster | 212 | 206 | 274 | 287 | 280 | 153 |
| Woodstock | Ulster | 100 | 116 | 108 | 86 | 117 | 94 |
Black bears by town: Hunter, 2020, 7; Hunter, 2021, 15; Hunter, 2022, 2; Saugerties, 2020, 11; Saugerties, 2021, 7; Saugerties, 2022, 7.
Across Greene County, DEC counted 2,318 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,079 | 1,348 | 639 |
| 2022 | 2,318 | 1,272 | 866 |
| 2023 | 1,898 | 1,266 | 515 |
| 2024 | 2,078 | 1,299 | 639 |
| 2025 | 2,318 | 1,461 | 672 |
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.
Indian Head Wilderness: nearest firing lines
It is about 38 miles from Indian Head Wilderness to Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range, the closest public range. Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Indian Head Wilderness: first and last legal light
Spring turkey hunting ends at noon, fall turkey and upland birds run sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:48 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:52 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:03 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:54 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:18 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:25 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 7:54 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.
Indian Head Wilderness in pictures
Indian Head Wilderness: short answers
What species go with Indian Head Wilderness?
Named game: white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote and furbearers.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Indian Head Wilderness?
175 DMPs are targeted for 3A, with None average success.
Is Indian Head Wilderness in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Indian Head Wilderness?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
Are tree stands allowed on Indian Head Wilderness?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
How far is Indian Head Wilderness from a town?
Tannersville is 5.1 mi away.
What do I need to hunt Indian Head Wilderness?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
Does the orange law apply on Indian Head Wilderness?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Indian Head Wilderness?
3A, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Indian Head Wilderness measure?
17,439 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Indian Head Wilderness?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Indian Head Wilderness?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Indian Head Wilderness: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Indian Head Wilderness before the drive.
Sources: DEC indian head 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: ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0).