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WMA · 2026-27
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas hunting rules, seasons and access
WMA of 8,350 acres in Genesee County and 3 more, hunted under WMU 8G dates, for ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas
Parking, trailheads and gates near Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas
- TrailheadTrailhead · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Hunt Club Marsh ParkingParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Kanyoo Nature TrailheadParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Feeder Rd Parking DParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 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.
Acres and location of Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs
Hunters find Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas, a DEC wildlife management area, in Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans counties. DEC places it in the towns of Newstead, Oakfield, Alabama, Royalton, Shelby and Barre. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 8, which spans the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley. The acreage used here is 8,350, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 4 by size out of 119 WMAs. The written DEC description uses 19,000 acres.
Hunting section, quoted: Statewide waterfowl regulation and research updates, as well as management updates and waterfowl hunting conditions on popular Western Zone public lands, were provided in the Waterfowl Information Meeting held virtually on October 5, 2026. View a recording of the meeting . Oak Orchard and Tonawanda are posted as special regulations areas. All hunting and fishing may be enjoyed pursuant to State and Federal regulations with the following restrictions: Waterfowl hunting on Oak Orchard and Tonawanda on opening …
Caution: Acreage conflict: DEC page text says 19,000 acres; DEC Lands layer 8,350 acres (layer value used; the page may describe a larger complex or an older boundary).
From DEC oak orchard and tonawanda wildlife man; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: access and site rules
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs is run under the wildlife management area rules in 6 NYCRR Part 51:
- No target practice on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs except where DEC posts that it is allowed.
- No camping without a written OK from DEC.
- Off-road vehicles are allowed only by permit or posting.
- Vegetation stays uncut, and permanent blinds, stands or tree hardware are not allowed.
- Personal property, trail cameras among it, must leave with you; a marked stand can stay for the season.
- Stay out of any section posted "No Trespassing" unless DEC gives written approval.
- Keep fires small and for cooking or heat; boats leave at night.
Other notes: Waterfowl hunting season dates are not finalized until the federal regulations are adopted in …
Laws every Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs hunter carries in
- Gun hunters after deer or bear wear orange or pink: 250 square inches above the waist or a mostly orange or pink hat.
- The discharge setback is 500 feet for guns, 250 feet for crossbows and 150 feet for bows from homes, farm buildings, schools and churches.
- Hunting over bait is illegal; scents and lures are allowed.
- There is no Sunday ban in New York; some parks set their own.
From DEC oak orchard and tonawanda wildlife man, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs (8G); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 8G | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8G | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8G | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8G | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (cocks only) | WMU 8G | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8G | 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 | West Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | West Central goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| 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 8G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8G | 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.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs and WMU 8G: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs is WMU 8G ground (Southern Zone, 686 sq. mi. across Genesee, Monroe and Orleans). DEC lists 8G as unlimited for DMPs this year. Bear area: Southern Zone. Fall turkey here: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8G | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 14.1% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 8G deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 8G 7,802 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7,649 | 2,899 |
| 2017 | 7,032 | 2,907 |
| 2018 | 7,675 | 2,929 |
| 2019 | 7,675 | 3,210 |
| 2020 | 7,448 | 2,676 |
| 2021 | 6,613 | 2,668 |
| 2022 | 7,802 | 2,971 |
Objective for bears in 8G: maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: species list
Hunters come to Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs for ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant above all.
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Dec 31
Species from DEC oak orchard and tonawanda wildlife man; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: DEC pheasant release site
Expect stocked birds: DEC plans 16 releases and 768 pheasants on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs this fall.
| Site | Property type | Town | Fields (ac) | Type | Events | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Orchard WMA | Public – special rules | Alabama | 18 | Youth, regular | 8 | 354 |
| Tonawanda WMA | Public – special rules | Alabama | 351 | Youth, regular | 8 | 414 |
| Stocking week | Pheasants |
|---|---|
| 10/05 | 48 |
| 10/12 | 90 |
| 10/19 | 84 |
| 10/26 | 96 |
| 11/02 | 36 |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
Special rule: Closed to pheasant hunting Tuesdays and Fridays
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: a DEC waterfowl place
The DEC waterfowl mapper includes Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs. Western duck zone. It lies in the West Central Canada goose area.
| Property | Owner | Property type | Special rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Orchard WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | Yes |
| Tonawanda WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | Yes |
Note on the DEC map: Not all units open to waterfowl hunting. Some dates open to hunting by lottery only. See WMA webpage for details.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs access points
The DEC directions name 17 places to leave a truck at Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Albion Road, very large: 43.1246, -78.2732 | Navigate |
| Albion Road: 43.1158, -78.2845 | Navigate |
| Albion Road: 43.1119, -78.2841 | Navigate |
| Knowlesville Road: 43.1138, -78.3248 | Navigate |
| East Shelby Road: 43.1291, -78.2953 | Navigate |
| Knowlesville Road, large, for pavilion: 43.1260, -78.3229 | Navigate |
| Knowlesville Road, two entrances, small: 43.1175, -78.3244 | Navigate |
| East Shelby Road: 43.1308, -78.3077 | Navigate |
| Meadville Road, parking area: 43.1055, -78.4547 | Navigate |
| Griswold Road: 43.1159, -78.4972 | Navigate |
| Route 77: 43.1229, -78.4528 | Navigate |
| Route 77, large parking area: 43.1254, -78.4717 | Navigate |
| Route 77: 43.1334, -78.4937 | Navigate |
| Route 77, small: 43.1127, -78.4293 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Oak Orchard WMA Map · Tonawanda WMA Map
Open Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs in DECinfo Locator
Accessible features (DEC): From the Knowlesville Road Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Picnic pavilion; and Boardwalk to viewing area The viewing area of marsh is approximately 700 feet from the parking area. From the Owen Road Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Hiking trail to viewing blind with boardwalk The trail to the viewing blind is 0.2 mile one …
Parking points and maps from DEC oak orchard and tonawanda wildlife man; checked October 27, 2026.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs and 10 neighbors; John White WMA sits 4.7 mi off. The tracts listed total 7,356 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John White | WMA | 329 | 8G | 4.7 mi | southeast |
| Oak Orchard | WMA | 20 | 8G | 9.4 mi | east |
| Hartland Swamp | WMA | 402 | 9A | 14 mi | northwest |
| Darien Lakes | State park | 1,844 | 8G | 14 mi | south |
| Golden Hill | State park | 372 | 9A | 18 mi | north |
| Lakeside | State park | 706 | 8A | 21 mi | northeast |
| Spicer Creek | WMA | 34 | 9A | 22 mi | west |
| Wilson-Tuscarora | State park | 481 | 9A | 24 mi | northwest |
| Knox Farm | State park | 667 | 9F | 25 mi | southwest |
| Carlton Hill | Multiple use area | 2,501 | 9H | 25 mi | southeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs
The town of Newstead, where Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs lies, produced 399 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newstead | Erie | 285 | 353 | 331 | 418 | 399 | 176 |
| Oakfield | Genesee | 315 | 430 | 334 | 359 | 420 | 171 |
| Alabama | Genesee | 500 | 516 | 498 | 533 | 555 | 200 |
| Royalton | Niagara | 502 | 495 | 522 | 564 | 516 | 218 |
| Shelby | Orleans | 541 | 566 | 503 | 578 | 517 | 196 |
DEC puts the 2025 Genesee County deer take at 5,191.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,021 | 2,065 | 2,288 |
| 2022 | 5,769 | 2,237 | 2,570 |
| 2023 | 4,806 | 2,072 | 1,964 |
| 2024 | 5,179 | 2,385 | 2,094 |
| 2025 | 5,191 | 2,373 | 2,283 |
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.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Akron, about 6.6 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | Erie | 6.6 mi | 2,886 | 12,653 |
| Medina | Orleans | 8.5 mi | 5,912 | 19,170 |
| Oakfield | Genesee | 10 mi | 1,790 | 15,307 |
| Lockport | Niagara | 12 mi | 20,394 | 238 |
Season tables by county for Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: Erie County, Genesee County, Niagara County, Orleans County.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 2 licensed guides in Genesee County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs
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.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas: nearest firing lines
Hunters on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas can sight in at Sportsters Rod & Gun Club (8 miles), the nearest listing; public ranges are all more than 60 miles off.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs shooting hours by key date
East and west matter: sunrise in Buffalo comes about 20 minutes after sunrise in Albany, so use local times for Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 6:34 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 | 7:36 a.m. | 6:18 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 6:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:12 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:36 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:44 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:08 a.m. | 8:12 p.m. | 5:38 a.m. to 8:42 p.m. | 5:38 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.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs in pictures
Answers on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs access and seasons
What zone sets duck dates for Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
Western Zone dates, starting Oct 10, 2026.
When is bear season at Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 8G).
How far is Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs from a town?
Akron, about 6.6 mi away.
When are pheasants stocked at Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
DEC plans 768 birds here in 2026.
How does access work on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
Can I use screw-in steps on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
Which WMU rules apply on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
Southern Zone, WMU 8G.
Is Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs a large property?
8,350 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When is spring turkey season at Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
What game does the source list for Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs?
Ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant.
Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Oak Orchard And Tonawanda WMAs can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC oak orchard and tonawanda wildlife man · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).