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State forest · the Capital District and northern Catskills
Mallet Pond State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Schoharie County and 1 more.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Mallet Pond State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Mallet Pond State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.7 mi from the centreDirections
- P-LotParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
- F-LotParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
- F-LotParking · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.1 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.
Mallet Pond State Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a DEC state forest, Mallet Pond State Forest lies in Fulton and Schoharie counties. On the ground it lies within Fulton and Summit. The DEC region is Region 4 (the Capital District and northern Catskills). It measures 2,577 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 79th of 409 state forests. DEC groups it in the Eminence planning unit.
In DEC's words: Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons.
From DEC mallet pond state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Mallet Pond State Forest
Mallet Pond State Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Mallet Pond State Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 4G and the Southeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
How you may hunt Mallet Pond State Forest
DEC state land rules for state forests, multiple use areas and similar tracts apply on Mallet Pond State Forest:
- A stand on Mallet Pond State Forest cannot be fixed to a tree with nails or bolts, and lanes may not be cut.
- Label any portable stand on Mallet Pond 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 Mallet Pond State Forest breaks the state land rules.
- No motor vehicle leaves the maintained roads on Mallet Pond 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 Mallet Pond 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 mallet pond state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Mallet Pond State Forest
Mallet Pond State Forest has 2 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| Mallet Pond Parking Lot: 42.5911, -74.5243 | Directions |
| Rossman Pond Parking Lot: 42.5945, -74.5272 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Mallet Pond State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC mallet pond state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 4G rules that reach Mallet Pond State Forest
WMU 4G is the unit that counts for Mallet Pond State Forest: Southern Zone, 370 square miles, in Schoharie, Albany and Schenectady. 2,800 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 4G (average success 20.7%; resident first DMP: med). Antler restrictions cover 4G, so a legal buck has 3 points on a side. Bear rules in 4G follow the Southern Zone area. 4G fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4G | Southern | 2,800 | 20.7% | med | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
4G: deer by season
The 4G deer take moved from 1,502 (2016) to 1,855 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
4G bear take by year: 2020 12; 2021 13; 2022 25; 2023 19; 2024 31; 2025 22.
4G 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.
Mallet Pond State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Mallet Pond State Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest is the closest (4.1 mi). Combined: 21,015 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnt-Rossman Hills | State forest | 10,634 | 4G | 4.1 mi | south |
| Patria | State forest | 2,181 | 4G | 4.5 mi | east |
| Petersburg | State forest | 1,088 | 4G | 4.6 mi | northeast |
| Lutheranville | State forest | 1,803 | 4F | 6.1 mi | west |
| Clapper Hollow | State forest | 818 | 4F | 8.2 mi | southwest |
| Blenheim Hill | State forest | 779 | 4G | 9.0 mi | south |
| Keyserkill State Forest Complex | State forest | 2,431 | 4G | 9.3 mi | southeast |
| Mine Kill | State park | 461 | 4G | 10 mi | south |
| Decatur | State forest | 594 | 4F | 11 mi | west |
| Franklinton Vlaie | WMA | 226 | 4G | 11 mi | east |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Mallet Pond State Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Richmondville, 4.5 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmondville | Schoharie | 4.5 mi | 873 | 21,638 |
| North Blenheim | Schoharie | 8.2 mi | – | 27,014 |
| Middleburgh | Schoharie | 9.1 mi | 1,161 | 25,598 |
| East Worcester | Otsego | 9.1 mi | – | 14,513 |
County pages that list Mallet Pond State Forest: Fulton County, Schoharie County.
Mallet Pond State Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 9 in Schoharie County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Mallet Pond 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.
Mallet Pond State Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Fulton reached 197 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton | Schoharie | 145 | 191 | 180 | 195 | 197 | 127 |
| Summit | Schoharie | 165 | 223 | 229 | 228 | 189 | 123 |
Black bears by town: Fulton, 2020, 2; Fulton, 2021, 1; Fulton, 2022, 5; Summit, 2020, 3; Summit, 2021, 1; Summit, 2022, 1.
Across Schoharie County, DEC counted 2,960 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Events on or near Mallet Pond State Forest
3 upcoming events here or close by as of October 27, 2026.
Dated ahead
| On | Listing | Mi | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2026 | 12th Annual Outdoorsman's Night Out · DU dinner | 7 | Bouck Hall at SUNY Cobleskill | Get tickets | Source |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Richmondville Fish and Game Clubs Youth and Novice Pheasant Hunt · mentored pheasant hunt | 5 | Richmondville | Reserve a spot | Source |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Hunter Education Course – East Worcester Fire House · hunter education course | 9 | East Worcester Fire House | Register with DEC | Source |
Mallet Pond State Forest: nearest firing lines
It is about 28 miles from Mallet Pond State Forest 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.
Mallet Pond 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 | 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.
Mallet Pond State Forest in pictures
Mallet Pond State Forest: short answers
Is there a spring gobbler season at Mallet Pond State Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Mallet Pond State Forest?
2,800 DMPs are targeted for 4G, with 20.7% average success.
How far is Mallet Pond State Forest from a town?
Richmondville is 4.5 mi away.
Is Mallet Pond State Forest in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Does the orange law apply on Mallet Pond State Forest?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Are tree stands allowed on Mallet Pond State Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
What do I need to hunt Mallet Pond State Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
How early can I shoot deer on Mallet Pond State Forest?
Half an hour before sunrise for deer and bear; spring turkey ends at noon.
Which unit sets deer dates for Mallet Pond State Forest?
4G, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Mallet Pond State Forest measure?
2,577 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Mallet Pond State Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Mallet Pond State Forest?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Mallet Pond State Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Mallet Pond State Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC mallet pond state forest · 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: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).