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State forest · the Capital District and northern Catskills
What hunters need to know about Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests
Rules, WMU 4G season dates, maps and neighbors for a state forest in Schoharie County.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests
What Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests is
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests is a DEC state forest in Schoharie County. The DEC page names Conesville, Broome and Gilboa as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 4 property, in the Capital District and northern Catskills. Size: 2,981 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 62 others of the 409 state forests are larger. DEC's own page says 1,616 acres. Management direction comes from the Catskill Creek unit plan.
From the DEC page for Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: Leonard Hill and High Knob State Forests is open to hunting in appropriate seasons. Big game hunting, especially for white tail deer, is a particularly popular activity on Leonard Hill and High Knob State Forests. The area also supports populations of small game such as turkey, squirrel, grouse, rabbit, raccoon, fox, and coyote. Hunting opportunities vary with habitat conditions.
From DEC leonard hill and high knob state fores; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests hunting rules for 2026-27
The DEC rules for using state forest land, applied to Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests:
- Cutting or damaging trees on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests is prohibited, which rules out screw-in steps and cleared lanes.
- A portable stand or blind that does not injure the tree may stay up during the season if it carries your name and address or license number, and it comes down when the season ends.
- Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests is not a place to leave equipment: cameras and gear go home with you.
- Keep trucks on the maintained roads; an ATV needs a designated trail.
- A camping permit applies when the stay or group size calls for it.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests
- 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 leonard hill and high knob state fores, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests, and when
This calendar is cut down to Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: its WMU (4G), 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 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 4G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 4G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 4G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 4G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 4G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 4G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 4G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 4G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 4G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 4G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 4G | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4G | 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 4G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 4G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 4G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 4G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 4G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 4G | 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.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: WMU 4G numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 4G, 370 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Schoharie, Albany and Schenectady. For 4G, DEC aims to issue 2,800 DMPs in 2026; success averages 20.7% and residents' first-DMP odds are med. Hold off on small bucks in 4G: the 3-point rule applies. The bear area for 4G is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 4G: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4G | Southern | 2,800 | 20.7% | med | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 4G
In 2022, 4G produced 1,855 deer by DEC's estimate (1,502 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,502 | 863 |
| 2017 | 1,388 | 835 |
| 2018 | 1,469 | 805 |
| 2019 | 1,321 | 786 |
| 2020 | 1,724 | 913 |
| 2021 | 1,776 | 1,147 |
| 2022 | 1,855 | 1,028 |
Bear harvest in 4G for 2025 was 22, or 5.9 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 4G 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.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests game species
Expect white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and rabbit and hare on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC leonard hill and high knob state fores; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests
DEC lists 8 parking or access points for Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Leonard Mountain Road: 42.4499, -74.3200 | Get there |
| Cook Road: 42.4516, -74.3136 | Get there |
| Shale Pit Road: 42.4255, -74.3184 | Get there |
| East Conesville Road: 42.4178, -74.3111 | Get there |
| Broome Center Road: 42.4608, -74.3319 | Get there |
| Blueberry Hill Road: 42.4801, -74.3302 | Get there |
| Federal City Road: 42.4767, -74.3087 | Get there |
| Leonard Mountain Road: 42.4614, -74.3464 | Get there |
Map in print form: Leonard Hill and High Knob State Forests Map · DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC leonard hill and high knob state fores; checked October 27, 2026.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests, starting with Hubbard Hill DEP unit. Combined: 5,743 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubbard Hill | Watershed unit | 562 | 4G | 1.3 mi | west |
| Bates | State forest | 1,137 | 4G | 1.8 mi | southeast |
| Manorkill | Watershed unit | 593 | 4G, 4R | 2.4 mi | south |
| Steenburg Mountain | Watershed unit | 36 | 4R | 2.7 mi | southeast |
| Bull Hill | Watershed unit | 183 | 4G | 3.0 mi | west |
| Scott Patent | State forest | 1,415 | 4G | 3.2 mi | northeast |
| Wood Road | Watershed unit | 57 | 4G | 3.9 mi | southwest |
| South Mountain | State forest | 1,499 | 4R | 4.3 mi | southeast |
| Bluebird Road | Watershed unit | 187 | 4R | 4.3 mi | south |
| Bull Hill South | Watershed unit | 74 | 4G | 4.5 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests
Conesville logged 110 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conesville | Schoharie | 102 | 109 | 139 | 114 | 110 | 67 |
| Broome | Schoharie | 155 | 189 | 166 | 134 | 108 | 62 |
| Gilboa | Schoharie | 178 | 270 | 222 | 276 | 251 | 139 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Conesville (2020) 5, Conesville (2021) 3, Conesville (2022) 5, Broome (2020) 5, Broome (2021) 3, Broome (2022) 1.
The 2025 deer take for Schoharie County was 2,960.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,150 | 1,974 | 1,013 |
| 2022 | 3,476 | 1,901 | 1,286 |
| 2023 | 2,899 | 1,708 | 973 |
| 2024 | 2,793 | 1,658 | 928 |
| 2025 | 2,960 | 1,749 | 953 |
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.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: nearby towns and services
Preston-Potter Hollow sits 4.3 mi from Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston-Potter Hollow | Albany | 4.3 mi | – | 24,490 |
| North Blenheim | Schoharie | 7.5 mi | – | 27,014 |
| Windham | Greene | 9.0 mi | – | 32,259 |
| Middleburgh | Schoharie | 11 mi | 1,161 | 25,598 |
Open the county guide for Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: Schoharie County.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: businesses close by
Schoharie County is home to 9 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: 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.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: nearest firing lines
For hunters on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests, the nearest public range is Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range in Albany County (23 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: 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 Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:53 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:20 a.m. | 6:03 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:56 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:20 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:27 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:54 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 5:24 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 5:24 a.m. to 7:56 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.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests in pictures
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests questions, answered from the record
Can I leave a tree stand on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
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 Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests measure?
The record lists 2,981 acres.
What zone and WMU is Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
The DEC WMU layer gives 4G (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 4G.
What is the bowhunting window on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
Yes: WMU 4G has a 2026 target of 2,800 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are med.
What species go with Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
You will find white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare, squirrel and coyote on the list.
When does turkey season open on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests?
WMU 4G is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests from a town?
Preston-Potter Hollow is 4.3 mi away.
Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Leonard Hill And High Knob State Forests.
Sources: DEC leonard hill and high knob state fores · 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: tuchodi (CC BY 2.0); nayukim (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).