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State forest · western New York
What hunters need to know about Nine Mile State Forest
Rules, WMU 9T season dates, maps and neighbors for a state forest in Cattaraugus County and 1 more.
Photo: seabamirum (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Nine Mile State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Nine Mile State Forest
- Truck ParkingParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Truck ParkingParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Town of Allegany GarageParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.6 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.
What Nine Mile State Forest is
Nine Mile State Forest is a DEC state forest in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. The DEC page names Great Valley and Allegany as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 9 property, in western New York. Size: 3,341 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 55 others of the 409 state forests are larger. Management direction comes from the Cattaraugus unit plan.
From the DEC page for Nine Mile State Forest: Hunting is permitted on the property in accordance with all game regulations, unless otherwise posted. Forest management has provided a variety of habitats for hunting. Terrain can be rugged in some areas. Access to many areas is good using forest roads.
From DEC nine mile state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Nine Mile State Forest
Nine Mile State Forest hunting rules for 2026-27
The DEC rules for using state forest land, applied to Nine Mile State Forest:
- Cutting or damaging trees on Nine Mile State Forest 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.
- Nine Mile State Forest 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 Nine Mile State Forest
- 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 nine mile state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Nine Mile State Forest, and when
This calendar is cut down to Nine Mile State Forest: its WMU (9T), 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 9T | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9T | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9T | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9T | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9T | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9T | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9T | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9T | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9T | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9T | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9T | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9T | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9T | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9T | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9T | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9T | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9T | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9T | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9T | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9T | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9T | 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 9T | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9T | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9T | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9T | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9T | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9T | 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.
Nine Mile State Forest: WMU 9T numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 9T, 248 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Cattaraugus. For 9T, DEC aims to issue 2,292 DMPs in 2026; success averages 22.5% and residents' first-DMP odds are high. The bear area for 9T is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 9T: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9T | Southern | 2,292 | 22.5% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 9T
In 2022, 9T produced 1,209 deer by DEC's estimate (765 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 765 | 500 |
| 2017 | 834 | 612 |
| 2018 | 1,087 | 728 |
| 2019 | 1,235 | 808 |
| 2020 | 1,418 | 634 |
| 2021 | 1,260 | 762 |
| 2022 | 1,209 | 658 |
Bear harvest in 9T for 2025 was 14, or 5.6 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 9T 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.
Maps and parking around Nine Mile State Forest
Map in print form: Nine Mile State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC nine mile state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Nine Mile State Forest and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Nine Mile State Forest, starting with Windfall Creek State Forest. Combined: 77,515 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windfall Creek | State forest | 977 | 9T | 3.3 mi | west |
| Birch Run Ponds | Fish and wildlife area | 39 | 9T | 4.1 mi | south |
| Raecher Hill | State forest | 842 | 9T | 5.2 mi | north |
| Golden Hill | State forest | 2,306 | 9T | 7.1 mi | north |
| Rock City And McCarty | State forest | 6,298 | 9M, 9R | 9.1 mi | northwest |
| Bryant Hill | State forest | 511 | 9M | 9.6 mi | north |
| Allegany | State park | 64,160 | 9R, 9S | 12 mi | southwest |
| Boyce Hill | State forest | 979 | 9M | 13 mi | north |
| Elkdale | State forest | 432 | 9R | 13 mi | northwest |
| Poverty Hill | WMA | 971 | 9M | 14 mi | northwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Nine Mile State Forest
Great Valley logged 245 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Valley | Cattaraugus | 143 | 144 | 158 | 190 | 245 | 177 |
| Allegany | Cattaraugus | 227 | 193 | 226 | 300 | 328 | 189 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Great Valley (2020) 6, Great Valley (2021) 1, Great Valley (2022) 2, Allegany (2020) 5, Allegany (2021) 5, Allegany (2022) 6.
The 2025 deer take for Cattaraugus County was 9,661.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,728 | 4,112 | 2,907 |
| 2022 | 8,844 | 3,994 | 3,609 |
| 2023 | 7,729 | 3,871 | 2,680 |
| 2024 | 8,337 | 4,672 | 2,822 |
| 2025 | 9,661 | 5,225 | 3,586 |
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.
Nine Mile State Forest: nearby towns and services
Allegany sits 5.5 mi from Nine Mile State Forest, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany | Cattaraugus | 5.5 mi | 1,608 | 4,633 |
| Salamanca | Cattaraugus | 9.2 mi | 5,757 | 14,819 |
| Ellicottville | Cattaraugus | 10 mi | 282 | 17,011 |
| Little Valley | Cattaraugus | 14 mi | 1,073 | 12,080 |
Open the county guide for Nine Mile State Forest: Allegany County, Cattaraugus County.
Nine Mile State Forest: businesses close by
Cattaraugus County is home to 4 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Nine Mile State Forest: 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.
Nine Mile State Forest: nearest firing lines
Auge's Archery, 5 miles away, is the nearest range to Nine Mile State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Nine Mile State Forest: 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 Nine Mile State Forest and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:10 a.m. | 6:58 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:37 a.m. | 6:21 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 6:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:12 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:35 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:43 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:11 a.m. | 8:12 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:42 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:12 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.
Nine Mile State Forest in pictures
Nine Mile State Forest questions, answered from the record
Does the orange law apply on Nine Mile State Forest?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
When does legal light start at Nine Mile State Forest?
Big game from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; ducks stop at sunset.
Is Nine Mile State Forest open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Nine Mile State Forest measure?
The record lists 3,341 acres.
What zone and WMU is Nine Mile State Forest?
The DEC WMU layer gives 9T (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Nine Mile State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 9T.
What is the bowhunting window on Nine Mile State Forest?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Nine Mile State Forest?
Yes: WMU 9T has a 2026 target of 2,292 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are high.
When does turkey season open on Nine Mile State Forest?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Nine Mile State Forest?
WMU 9T is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Nine Mile State Forest from a town?
Allegany is 5.5 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Nine Mile State Forest?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Nine Mile State Forest: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Nine Mile State Forest.
Sources: DEC nine mile 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); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bobolink (CC BY 2.0).