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State park · western New York
Joseph Davis State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Niagara County: small game, ring-necked pheasant and ducks and geese.
Photo: wonkanerd (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Joseph Davis State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Joseph Davis State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Canoe launchBoat ramp · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 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.
Joseph Davis State Park: size, towns and manager
Listed as a state park with a hunting program, Joseph Davis State Park lies in Niagara County. The DEC region is Region 9 (western New York). The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is in charge of access. It measures 383 acres, per NY State Parks Property layer. Size rank: 64th of 83 state parks.
Source note: Acreage conflict: NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre) 383 vs computed polygon area 179 acres.
From NYS Parks joseph davis state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Joseph Davis State Park
Joseph Davis State Park hunting calendar
Season windows for Joseph Davis State Park, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 9A and the Western waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 9A | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9A | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9A | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9A | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (cocks only) | WMU 9A | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9A | 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 9A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9A | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9A | 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 Joseph Davis State Park
Park rules for hunters on Joseph Davis State Park come from 6 NYCRR 372.7(q):
- The park permit decides where, when and with what you may hunt on Joseph Davis State Park.
- Each permit names its own species, areas, implements and season dates.
- Permanent stands and blinds are banned; portable stands need permit approval and must not hurt the tree.
- Stay out of posted Restricted Areas and report your harvest if the park requests it.
New York rules that apply on Joseph Davis State Park 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 NYS Parks joseph davis state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
How hunting works at Joseph Davis State Park
Implements by species in the Joseph Davis State Park hunting areas:
| Species | Implements |
|---|---|
| Small game | All legal |
What NYS Parks notes for Joseph Davis State Park
- Waterfowl Hunting is allowed by permit only at designated blind locations. Permits are awarded through weekly, onsite, lottery system at Ft. Niagara SP
- Waterfowl and Small Game Hunting during DEC established pheasant season. Waterfowl hunting is from designated blind locations only and is through a weekly lottery system. Dog or boat required for retrieving. Contact park for more details. Contact park office for additional information.
Park page lines on hunting: seasonal- small game hunting only available during pheasant season
From NYS Parks: Duck Hunting · 2026 Pheasant Hunting · Pheasant Hunt 2025 · Pheasant Hunt Questionnaire · Duck Hunting
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Joseph Davis State Park
Boundary map file: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks joseph davis state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Joseph Davis State Park game species
3 game groups are named for Joseph Davis State Park; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
Species from NYS Parks joseph davis state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Joseph Davis State Park pheasant releases for 2026
DEC stocks pheasants on Joseph Davis State Park: 4 releases in 2026 adding up to 308 birds.
| Site | Access rule | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Events | Birds released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Davis State Park | Public – special rules | Lewiston | 8 | Youth, regular | 4 | 308 |
| Week | Pheasants released |
|---|---|
| 10/05 | 77 |
| 10/12 | 77 |
| 10/19 | 77 |
| 10/26 | 77 |
| 11/02 | 0 |
Note for bird hunters: Closed to pheasant hunting on Fridays in October and November. Special permit for opening day.
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Joseph Davis State Park on the DEC waterfowl map
Joseph Davis State Park appears on the DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl map. Ducks: Western zone dates. The South goose area dates apply.
| Property | Held by | Kind | Special regs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Davis State Park | NYSOPRHP | State Park | Yes |
Waterfowl map note: See State Park webpage for current rules and access information. Some parks may only allow boat access to public waterways.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
WMU 9A rules that reach Joseph Davis State Park
WMU 9A is the unit that counts for Joseph Davis State Park: Southern Zone, 462 square miles, in Niagara and Erie. Every applicant gets DMPs in 9A, which is unlimited for 2026. Bear rules in 9A follow the Southern Zone area. 9A fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9A | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 10.0% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
9A: deer by season
The 9A deer take moved from 2,326 (2016) to 2,918 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2,326 | 1,016 |
| 2017 | 1,858 | 889 |
| 2018 | 2,143 | 943 |
| 2019 | 2,391 | 1,132 |
| 2020 | 2,849 | 1,201 |
| 2021 | 2,668 | 1,143 |
| 2022 | 2,918 | 1,365 |
9A bear objective: maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Joseph Davis State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Around Joseph Davis State Park lie 10 more public tracts; Fort Niagara State Park is the closest (3.4 mi). Combined: 22,073 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Niagara | State park | 270 | 9A | 3.4 mi | north |
| Wilson-Tuscarora | State park | 481 | 9A | 11 mi | northeast |
| Buckhorn Island | State park | 576 | 9A | 11 mi | south |
| Spicer Creek | WMA | 34 | 9A | 15 mi | southeast |
| Beaver Island | State park | 759 | 9A | 18 mi | south |
| Motor Island | WMA | 19 | 9A | 18 mi | south |
| Hartland Swamp | WMA | 402 | 9A | 23 mi | east |
| Oak Orchard And Tonawanda | WMA | 8,350 | 8G | 30 mi | east |
| Golden Hill | State park | 372 | 9A | 30 mi | east |
| Iroquois | Wildlife refuge | 10,810 | 8G | 33 mi | east |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Joseph Davis State Park: nearby towns and services
Head to Lockport, 17 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockport | Niagara | 17 mi | 20,394 | 238 |
| Buffalo | Erie | 24 mi | 276,617 | 510 |
| Akron | Erie | 30 mi | 2,886 | 12,653 |
| Medina | Orleans | 33 mi | 5,912 | 19,170 |
County pages that list Joseph Davis State Park: Niagara County.
Joseph Davis State Park: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 4 in Niagara County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Joseph Davis State Park
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.
Joseph Davis State Park: town and county harvest
Across Niagara County, DEC counted 4,068 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,068 | 1,281 | 1,404 |
| 2022 | 3,430 | 1,538 | 1,389 |
| 2023 | 3,039 | 1,405 | 1,196 |
| 2024 | 4,027 | 2,015 | 1,509 |
| 2025 | 4,068 | 1,956 | 1,709 |
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.
Events on or near Joseph Davis State Park
1 upcoming event here or close by as of October 27, 2026.
Dated ahead
| On | Listing | Mi | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2027 | Niagara County Gobblers Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 2 | Youngstown | Get tickets | Source |
Joseph Davis State Park: nearest firing lines
Fin, Feather, and Fur Conservation Society, INC (3F Club) is the closest listed range to Joseph Davis State Park, about 2 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Joseph Davis State Park: 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:11 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:39 a.m. | 6:20 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:15 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:39 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:47 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:10 a.m. | 8:15 p.m. | 5:40 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. | 5:40 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.
Joseph Davis State Park in pictures
Joseph Davis State Park: short answers
Is there a spring gobbler season at Joseph Davis State Park?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
What species go with Joseph Davis State Park?
Named game: small game, ring-necked pheasant and ducks and geese.
What are the duck dates for Joseph Davis State Park?
Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 for the first split.
Is Joseph Davis State Park in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
How far is Joseph Davis State Park from a town?
Lockport is 17 mi away.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on Joseph Davis State Park?
308 birds are scheduled for 2026.
What do I need to hunt Joseph Davis State Park?
Hunting is by NYS Parks permit, limited to designated areas.
What does the park permit cover at Joseph Davis State Park?
Species, implements, hunting areas and dates.
Which unit sets deer dates for Joseph Davis State Park?
9A, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Joseph Davis State Park measure?
383 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Joseph Davis State Park?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Joseph Davis State Park?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Joseph Davis State Park: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Joseph Davis State Park before the drive.
Sources: NYS Parks joseph davis state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · 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); born1945 (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).