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State park · 2026-27
Keuka Lake State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state park in Yates County, 632 acres.
Photo: Dougtone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Keuka Lake State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Keuka Lake State Park
- Keuka Lake State Park Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 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 Keuka Lake State Park is and who runs it
Keuka Lake State Park sits in Yates County, filed as a state park with a hunting program. Region 8 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley. It is managed by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 632 acres are on record from NY State Parks Property layer. Sorted by acreage, the 83 state parks put it 53rd.
From NYS Parks keuka lake state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Keuka Lake State Park
Keuka Lake State Park pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Keuka Lake State Park is Italy Hill State Forest, 7.2 mi away to the northwest. Combined: 17,647 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy Hill | State forest | 1,957 | 8R | 7.2 mi | northwest |
| Urbana | State forest | 2,706 | 8P | 11 mi | southwest |
| Waneta-Lamoka | WMA | 160 | 8R, 8W | 11 mi | south |
| High Tor | WMA | 6,937 | 8N | 12 mi | west |
| Pigtail Hollow | State forest | 995 | 8P | 12 mi | southwest |
| Cold Brook | WMA | 143 | 8P | 14 mi | southwest |
| Bare Hill | Unique area | 564 | 8N | 14 mi | northwest |
| Bonavista | State park | 250 | 8S | 15 mi | northeast |
| Willard | WMA | 439 | 8S | 15 mi | northeast |
| Birdseye Hollow | State forest | 3,496 | 8W | 15 mi | south |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Keuka Lake State Park regulations, plainly
Hunters on Keuka Lake State Park follow the NYS Parks statewide hunting regulations:
- Permit first, then the designated areas: that is how hunting on Keuka Lake State Park works.
- Implements, dates, species and areas are printed on the permit.
- Only portable stands the permit allows, set without tree damage; no permanent blinds.
- No hunting in posted Restricted Areas; harvest reports go to the park on request.
State law reminders for Keuka Lake State Park
- 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 NYS Parks keuka lake state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Keuka Lake State Park hunting areas, species and implements
The park layer pairs each species on Keuka Lake State Park with legal implements.
| Game | Allowed implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun |
| Turkey (spring) | Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun |
| Waterfowl | All legal |
| Small game | Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun |
Park phone: (315) 536-3666.
Keuka Lake State Park hunting area notes
- Archery, crossbow, and muzzleloader for big game deer hunting. Contact park office for additional information.
- Archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunting for big game deer, small game and spring turkey. Fall turkey hunting is archery and crossbow only. Contact park office for additional information.
- Waterfowl hunting is late season only. Contact park office for additional information.
NYS Parks writes: Deer Hunting (archery, cross bow & muzzleloading): Turkey Hunting (spring only): Will be open on park property South of Hill Road . Hunters will be asked to stay on park property, and to follow all DEC rules and regulations while hunting spring turkey. Small Game Duck hunting is permitted in late season
Park hunting files: 2026-27 Hunting Schedule · NYS DEC Hunting and Trapping Guide · NYSOPRHP Self-Issue Hunting Permit · Hunting Permit · 26-27 Keuka Lake Hunting Season Schedule
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 8R facts for Keuka Lake State Park
The WMU map puts Keuka Lake State Park in 8R; 8R spans 270 square miles of Yates, Schuyler and Steuben. 8R has unlimited Deer Management Permits in 2026. Southern Zone bear rules cover 8R. The fall turkey window for 8R is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8R | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 15.8% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 8R
8R yielded 4,488 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4,254 | 1,576 |
| 2017 | 3,675 | 1,309 |
| 2018 | 4,355 | 1,433 |
| 2019 | 3,894 | 1,470 |
| 2020 | 4,556 | 1,428 |
| 2021 | 4,207 | 1,572 |
| 2022 | 4,488 | 1,631 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 8R came to 3.
DEC's bear plan for 8R 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 Keuka Lake State Park
31 species have open dates on Keuka Lake State Park 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 8R | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8R | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8R | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8R | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 8R | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8R | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8R | 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 | West Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | West Central goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| 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 8R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8R | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8R | 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.
Ducks and geese at Keuka Lake State Park
DEC lists Keuka Lake State Park among its places to hunt waterfowl. Use the Western zone duck calendar. Canada goose dates: West Central area.
| Map entry | Owner | Type | Special rules? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keuka Lake State Park | NYSOPRHP | State Park | Yes |
Listed 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.
Keuka Lake State Park game species
The source names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and small game on Keuka Lake State Park.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from NYS Parks keuka lake state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Keuka Lake State Park: parking and maps
Map download: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks keuka lake state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Keuka Lake State Park: town and county harvest
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.
Keuka Lake State Park hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Keuka Lake State Park; 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.
Keuka Lake State Park: nearby towns and services
Penn Yan is the nearest town with its own page, 6.7 mi from Keuka Lake State Park.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Yan | Yates | 6.7 mi | 5,024 | 1,380 |
| Hammondsport | Steuben | 13 mi | 571 | 13,065 |
| Naples | Ontario | 14 mi | 954 | 12,805 |
| Lodi | Seneca | 16 mi | 280 | 14,257 |
Keuka Lake State Park falls inside these county guides: Yates County.
Keuka Lake State Park: businesses close by
7 licensed guides are registered in Yates County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Keuka Lake 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.
Keuka Lake State Park: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Keuka Lake State Park: Branchport Rod & Gun Club, roughly 4 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.
Keuka Lake State Park in pictures
Keuka Lake State Park: short answers
How long is spring turkey on Keuka Lake State Park?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Keuka Lake State Park?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When does waterfowl open at Keuka Lake State Park?
It is in the Western Zone; split one Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026.
Which town page is closest to Keuka Lake State Park?
Penn Yan, about 6.7 mi away.
Can I hunt anywhere in Keuka Lake State Park?
No, only the designated hunting areas.
What colors are required at Keuka Lake State Park in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
How does access work on Keuka Lake State Park?
Get the regional hunting permit for this park; it lists areas, species and dates.
What does Keuka Lake State Park measure?
About 632 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Keuka Lake State Park?
WMU 8R, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Keuka Lake State Park?
WMU 8R: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Keuka Lake State Park?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 8R).
What game is found on Keuka Lake State Park?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and small game top the list.
Keuka Lake State Park: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Keuka Lake State Park, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: NYS Parks keuka lake state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Mike's Birds (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0).