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State forest · western New York
Hunting Klipnocky State Forest
Seasons and access for hunting in Allegany County: white-tailed deer, ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Klipnocky State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Klipnocky State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 6.2 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.
Klipnocky State Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a DEC state forest, Klipnocky State Forest lies in Allegany County. On the ground it lies within Birdsall, Almond and Burns. The DEC region is Region 9 (western New York). It measures 2,711 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 74th of 409 state forests. DEC groups it in the Allegany planning unit.
In DEC's words: Hunting is permitted on the property in accordance with appropriate game regulations, unless otherwise posted. The area is a popular destination for hunting small and big game. Access to the pheasant release site is on Gas Springs Road just north of Roots Road (42.398590°N, 77.830745°W ) This area contains 25 acres of hay fields and 55 acres of early successional habitat chock-full of blueberries, thornapple, and dogwoods. The remaining acreage has open ponds that are home to beavers, Canada geese, and the …
From DEC klipnocky state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Klipnocky State Forest
Klipnocky State Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Klipnocky State Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 9P and the Western waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9P | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9P | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9P | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9P | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9P | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9P | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9P | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9P | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9P | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9P | 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 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9P | 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 Klipnocky State Forest
DEC state land rules for state forests, multiple use areas and similar tracts apply on Klipnocky State Forest:
- A stand on Klipnocky State Forest cannot be fixed to a tree with nails or bolts, and lanes may not be cut.
- Label any portable stand on Klipnocky State Forest with your name and address or hunting license number; it can stay through the season but must be gone at its close.
- Leaving gear, cameras included, on Klipnocky State Forest breaks the state land rules.
- No motor vehicle leaves the maintained roads on Klipnocky State Forest unless DEC designates the route.
- Camping is allowed under the state land rules, with a permit when one is required.
New York rules that apply on Klipnocky State Forest 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 klipnocky state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Klipnocky State Forest
Klipnocky State Forest has 1 listed parking spot on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| Gas Springs Road Parking Area: 42.3809, -77.8292 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Klipnocky State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC klipnocky state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Klipnocky State Forest game species
7 game groups are named for Klipnocky State Forest; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Feb 28
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Woodcock
Oct 1–Nov 14
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC klipnocky state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Klipnocky State Forest pheasant releases for 2026
DEC stocks pheasants on Klipnocky State Forest: 0 releases in 2026 adding up to 442 birds.
| Site | Access rule | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Events | Birds released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klipnocky State Forest | Public – open access | Almond | – | – | 221 | |
| Klipnocky State Forest | – | Almond | – | – | 221 |
| Week | Pheasants released |
|---|---|
| 10/05 | 44 |
| 10/12 | 52 |
| 10/19 | 44 |
| 10/26 | 44 |
| 11/02 | 37 |
Note for bird hunters: Closed to pheasant hunting on Thursdays.
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
WMU 9P rules that reach Klipnocky State Forest
WMU 9P is the unit that counts for Klipnocky State Forest: Southern Zone, 582 square miles, in Allegany, Livingston and Steuben. 6,400 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 9P (average success 26.3%; resident first DMP: med). Bear rules in 9P follow the Southern Zone area. 9P fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9P | Southern | 6,400 | 26.3% | med | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
9P: deer by season
The 9P deer take moved from 3,613 (2016) to 5,124 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,613 | 2,257 |
| 2017 | 4,248 | 2,764 |
| 2018 | 4,964 | 2,772 |
| 2019 | 4,998 | 3,007 |
| 2020 | 6,005 | 2,503 |
| 2021 | 4,443 | 2,660 |
| 2022 | 5,124 | 2,525 |
9P bear take by year: 2020 25; 2021 20; 2022 16; 2023 19; 2024 35; 2025 24.
9P bear objective: 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.
Klipnocky State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Klipnocky State Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Slader Creek State Forest is the closest (2.1 mi). Combined: 22,474 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slader Creek | State forest | 1,224 | 9P | 2.1 mi | north |
| Gas Springs | State forest | 2,276 | 9P | 2.3 mi | northwest |
| Hiltonville | State forest | 1,010 | 9P | 2.7 mi | southwest |
| Bully Hill | State forest | 3,563 | 9P | 3.4 mi | south |
| Karr Valley Creek | State forest | 1,916 | 9P | 3.9 mi | southwest |
| Keeney Swamp | WMA | 705 | 9P | 4.1 mi | northwest |
| Jersey Hill | State forest | 1,092 | 9P | 4.5 mi | southwest |
| Keeney Swamp | State forest | 2,411 | 9P | 5.3 mi | northwest |
| Palmer's Pond | State forest | 3,509 | 9P | 6.6 mi | southwest |
| Turnpike | State forest | 4,768 | 9P | 6.6 mi | south |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Klipnocky State Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Canaseraga, 5.5 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canaseraga | Allegany | 5.5 mi | 454 | 25,984 |
| Almond | Allegany | 6.4 mi | 396 | 27,644 |
| Alfred | Allegany | 9.4 mi | 5,471 | 28,295 |
| Angelica | Allegany | 12 mi | 707 | 29,130 |
County pages that list Klipnocky State Forest: Allegany County.
Klipnocky State Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 5 in Allegany County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Klipnocky State Forest
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.
Klipnocky State Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Birdsall reached 270 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birdsall | Allegany | 236 | 239 | 208 | 288 | 270 | 178 |
| Almond | Allegany | 310 | 258 | 305 | 389 | 429 | 257 |
| Burns | Allegany | 201 | 200 | 222 | 265 | 289 | 177 |
Black bears by town: Birdsall, 2020, 2; Birdsall, 2021, 1; Almond, 2020, 1; Almond, 2021, 1; Burns, 2020, 1; Burns, 2021, 4.
Across Allegany County, DEC counted 9,179 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,375 | 4,596 | 3,082 |
| 2022 | 8,690 | 4,287 | 3,281 |
| 2023 | 8,221 | 4,197 | 2,811 |
| 2024 | 8,737 | 4,820 | 3,016 |
| 2025 | 9,179 | 4,825 | 3,520 |
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 Klipnocky State Forest
1 upcoming event here or close by as of October 27, 2026.
Dated ahead
| On | Listing | Mi | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 2027 | Cohocton Valley NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 9 | Hornell | Get tickets | Source |
Klipnocky State Forest: nearest firing lines
Almond Rod & Gun Club is the closest listed range to Klipnocky State Forest, about 6 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Klipnocky State Forest: 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 | 7:03 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:08 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:18 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:09 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:33 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:41 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:09 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 8:10 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.
Klipnocky State Forest in pictures
Klipnocky State Forest: short answers
What species go with Klipnocky State Forest?
Named game: white-tailed deer, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, woodcock and rabbit and hare.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Klipnocky State Forest?
6,400 DMPs are targeted for 9P, with 26.3% average success.
Is Klipnocky State Forest in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Klipnocky State Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on Klipnocky State Forest?
442 birds are scheduled for 2026.
What are the duck dates for Klipnocky State Forest?
Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 for the first split.
What do I need to hunt Klipnocky State Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
How far is Klipnocky State Forest from a town?
Canaseraga is 5.5 mi away.
Which unit sets deer dates for Klipnocky State Forest?
9P, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Klipnocky State Forest measure?
2,711 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Klipnocky State Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Klipnocky State Forest?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Klipnocky State Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Klipnocky State Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC klipnocky state forest · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · 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); gurdonark (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Martin Cathrae (CC BY-SA 2.0).