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State forest · the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley
McCarthy Hill State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Steuben County: ring-necked pheasant.
Photo: Mary Witzig (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to McCarthy Hill State Forest
McCarthy Hill State Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a DEC state forest, McCarthy Hill State Forest lies in Steuben County. On the ground it lies within Addison and Erwin. The DEC region is Region 8 (the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley). It measures 1,516 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 153rd of 409 state forests. DEC groups it in the Great Divide planning unit.
In DEC's words: Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons.
From DEC mccarthy hill state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around McCarthy Hill State Forest
McCarthy Hill State Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for McCarthy Hill State Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 8X and the Western waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8X | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8X | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8X | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8X | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8X | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8X | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8X | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8X | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8X | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8X | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8X | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8X | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8X | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8X | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8X | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8X | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 8X | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8X | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8X | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8X | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8X | 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 8X | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8X | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8X | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8X | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8X | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8X | 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 McCarthy Hill State Forest
DEC state land rules for state forests, multiple use areas and similar tracts apply on McCarthy Hill State Forest:
- A stand on McCarthy Hill State Forest cannot be fixed to a tree with nails or bolts, and lanes may not be cut.
- Label any portable stand on McCarthy Hill 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 McCarthy Hill State Forest breaks the state land rules.
- No motor vehicle leaves the maintained roads on McCarthy Hill 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 McCarthy Hill 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 mccarthy hill state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for McCarthy Hill State Forest
McCarthy Hill State Forest has 1 listed parking spot on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| Ackerson Road: 42.0953, -77.2039 | Directions |
Boundary map file: McCarthy Hill State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC mccarthy hill state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
McCarthy Hill State Forest game species
1 game group is named for McCarthy Hill State Forest; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Feb 28
Species from DEC mccarthy hill state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
McCarthy Hill State Forest pheasant releases for 2026
DEC stocks pheasants on McCarthy Hill State Forest: 3 releases in 2026 adding up to 334 birds.
| Site | Access rule | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Events | Birds released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCarthy Hill State Forest | Public – open access | Addison | 85 | Regular | 3 | 334 |
| Week | Pheasants released |
|---|---|
| 10/05 | 76 |
| 10/12 | 76 |
| 10/19 | 57 |
| 10/26 | 44 |
| 01/05 | 37 |
| 01/12 | 44 |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
Note for bird hunters: Closed to pheasant hunting on Tuesdays and Fridays.
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
WMU 8X rules that reach McCarthy Hill State Forest
WMU 8X is the unit that counts for McCarthy Hill State Forest: Southern Zone, 400 square miles, in Steuben and Allegany. 13,600 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 8X (average success 18.2%; resident first DMP: high). Bear rules in 8X follow the Southern Zone area. 8X fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8X | Southern | 13,600 | 18.2% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
8X: deer by season
The 8X deer take moved from 3,564 (2016) to 5,512 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,564 | 1,545 |
| 2017 | 3,769 | 1,827 |
| 2018 | 4,375 | 1,956 |
| 2019 | 5,292 | 2,521 |
| 2020 | 5,692 | 2,222 |
| 2021 | 4,943 | 2,058 |
| 2022 | 5,512 | 2,332 |
8X bear take by year: 2020 31; 2021 33; 2022 23; 2023 31; 2024 24; 2025 40.
8X 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.
McCarthy Hill State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around McCarthy Hill State Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Erwin Mountain State Forest is the closest (3.1 mi). Combined: 10,501 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin Mountain | State forest | 503 | 8T | 3.1 mi | northeast |
| Erwin | WMA | 2,770 | 8T | 5.0 mi | northeast |
| Tracy Creek State Forest, | State forest | 568 | 8T | 7.7 mi | northwest |
| Erwin Hollow | State forest | 529 | 8W | 7.8 mi | northeast |
| Helmer Creek | WMA | 126 | 8T | 9.6 mi | northwest |
| West Hill | State forest | 895 | 8W | 10 mi | northeast |
| Cameron Mills | State forest | 544 | 8T | 11 mi | northwest |
| Meads Creek | State forest | 1,418 | 8W | 12 mi | north |
| Dry Run | State forest | 1,330 | 8W | 13 mi | northeast |
| South Bradford | State forest | 1,818 | 8W | 14 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
McCarthy Hill State Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Gang Mills, 5.8 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gang Mills | Steuben | 5.8 mi | – | 11,892 |
| Savona | Steuben | 13 mi | 671 | 20,040 |
| Bath | Steuben | 18 mi | 5,512 | 11,490 |
| Elmira | Chemung | 20 mi | 26,255 | 755 |
County pages that list McCarthy Hill State Forest: Steuben County.
McCarthy Hill State Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 4 in Steuben County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to McCarthy Hill 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.
McCarthy Hill State Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Addison reached 302 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addison | Steuben | 279 | 225 | 216 | 278 | 302 | 195 |
| Erwin | Steuben | 153 | 185 | 211 | 221 | 233 | 165 |
Black bears by town: Addison, 2020, 7; Addison, 2021, 5; Addison, 2022, 3.
Across Steuben County, DEC counted 15,913 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,001 | 6,380 | 5,245 |
| 2022 | 13,587 | 7,036 | 4,813 |
| 2023 | 14,295 | 6,949 | 4,762 |
| 2024 | 15,595 | 7,787 | 5,922 |
| 2025 | 15,913 | 7,730 | 6,609 |
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 McCarthy Hill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Corning Fish and Game Novice Pheasant Hunt · novice pheasant hunt | On site | Addison | Reserve a spot | Source |
McCarthy Hill State Forest: nearest firing lines
Addison Fish & Game Club is the closest listed range to McCarthy Hill State Forest, about 1 mile away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
McCarthy Hill 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 | 7:01 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:05 a.m. | 6:53 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 6:53 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:32 a.m. | 6:16 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 6:16 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:07 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:38 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:06 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 5:36 a.m. to 8:37 p.m. | 5:36 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.
McCarthy Hill State Forest in pictures
McCarthy Hill State Forest: short answers
What do I need to hunt McCarthy Hill State Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
Are tree stands allowed on McCarthy Hill State Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
Which unit sets deer dates for McCarthy Hill State Forest?
8X, a Southern Zone unit.
What does McCarthy Hill State Forest measure?
1,516 acres on file.
When does bow season start on McCarthy Hill State Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on McCarthy Hill State Forest?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
What species go with McCarthy Hill State Forest?
Named game: ring-necked pheasant.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around McCarthy Hill State Forest?
13,600 DMPs are targeted for 8X, with 18.2% average success.
Is McCarthy Hill State Forest in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at McCarthy Hill State Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
How far is McCarthy Hill State Forest from a town?
Gang Mills is 5.8 mi away.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on McCarthy Hill State Forest?
334 birds are scheduled for 2026.
McCarthy Hill State Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for McCarthy Hill State Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC mccarthy hill 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); z2amiller (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).