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WMA · 2026-27
Perch River Wildlife Management Area hunting rules, seasons and access
WMA of 8,050 acres in Jefferson County, hunted under WMU 6G dates, for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ducks and geese.
Photo: philmofresh (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Perch River Wildlife Management Area
Perch River WMA at a glance
Hunters find Perch River Wildlife Management Area, a DEC wildlife management area, in Jefferson County. DEC places it in the towns of Brownville, Orleans and Pamelia. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 6, which spans the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley. The acreage used here is 8,050, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 5 by size out of 119 WMAs.
Hunting section, quoted: Special entry and permit restrictions are in place at this WMA to protect key habitats and provide high-quality hunting opportunities. Perch River WMA Wetland Regulations lists permitted hunting opportunities and describes access restrictions. This WMA is divided into three zones: refuge, restricted use, and public use. With the exception of an annual open house, during which the entire WMA is open to the public for two weeks in late August, there is no public access allowed in the refuge areas.
From DEC perch river wildlife management area; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Perch River Wildlife Management Area
Perch River WMA: access and site rules
Perch River WMA is run under the wildlife management area rules in 6 NYCRR Part 51:
- No target practice on Perch River WMA 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.
DEC open period: Year-round (see
Laws every Perch River WMA 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 perch river wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Perch River WMA: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Perch River WMA (6G); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMU 6G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Northeast goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 19, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 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.
Perch River WMA and WMU 6G: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Perch River WMA is WMU 6G ground (Northern Zone, 933 sq. mi. across Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego). The 2026 DMP target in 6G is 21,000, with 12.8% average success and high odds for a resident first permit. Bear area: Western Periphery. Fall turkey here: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6G | Northern | 21,000 | 12.8% | high | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
WMU 6G deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 6G 6,593 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,487 | 2,519 |
| 2017 | 5,581 | 2,882 |
| 2018 | 6,430 | 3,089 |
| 2019 | 6,476 | 3,353 |
| 2020 | 7,913 | 3,370 |
| 2021 | 6,341 | 3,128 |
| 2022 | 6,593 | 3,231 |
Recent bear numbers for 6G: 2022: 0, 2023: 2, 2024: 7, 2025: 5.
Objective for bears in 6G: maintain low 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.
Perch River WMA: species list
Hunters come to Perch River WMA for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ducks and geese above all.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 29
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Ruffed grouse
Sep 20–Feb 28
Woodcock
Oct 1–Nov 14
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Mar 21
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Mar 21
Species from DEC perch river wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Perch River WMA: DEC pheasant release site
Expect stocked birds: DEC plans 4 releases and 749 pheasants on Perch River WMA this fall.
| Site | Property type | Town | Fields (ac) | Type | Events | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perch River WMA | Public – special rules | Brownville/Orleans/Pamelia | 549 | Youth, regular | 4 | 749 |
| Stocking week | Pheasants |
|---|---|
| 09/21 | 133 |
| 09/28 | 103 |
| 10/05 | 96 |
| 10/12 | 81 |
| 10/19 | 60 |
| 11/02 | 52 |
| 11/16 | 59 |
| 12/07 | 82 |
| 12/14 | 83 |
| NA | – |
Special rule: Sign in at check station on Vaadi Rd. to access wetland restricted areas
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Perch River WMA: a DEC waterfowl place
The DEC waterfowl mapper includes Perch River WMA. Northeastern duck zone. It lies in the Northeast Canada goose area.
| Property | Owner | Property type | Special rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perch River WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | Yes |
Note on the DEC map: Not all units are open to hunting. Pre-registration is required to hunt in some areas. See WMA webpage for details.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Perch River WMA access points
The DEC directions name 16 places to leave a truck at Perch River WMA.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Route 12, large, gravel: 44.0826, -75.9744 | Navigate |
| Allen Road, look out to lake: 44.0819, -75.9844 | Navigate |
| Allen Road, gravel, to Wildlife Refuge: 44.0762, -76.0050 | Navigate |
| Vaadi Road: 44.0874, -75.9734 | Navigate |
| Vaadi Road, large, gravel: 44.0911, -75.9630 | Navigate |
| Vaadi Road: 44.0942, -75.9584 | Navigate |
| Vaadi Road, at Stones Mills: 44.1008, -75.9515 | Navigate |
| Vaadi Road, gravel area: 44.1052, -75.9550 | Navigate |
| Perch Lake Road, large gravel, to Perch Lake Refuge: 44.1225, -75.8881 | Navigate |
| Cook Road: 44.0890, -75.9549 | Navigate |
| Buckminster Road, at end, open only during hunting season, to Perch River near refuge: 44.0703, -75.9934 | Navigate |
| Vaadi Road, at look out on loop: 44.0914, -75.9636 | Navigate |
| Allen Road, overlook on Perch Lake: 44.0798, -75.9920 | Navigate |
| Dog Hill Road, possible bird watching site: 44.1383, -75.9218 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Perch River WMA Map
Open Perch River WMA in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC perch river wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
Perch River WMA pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Perch River WMA and 10 neighbors; Coyote Flats State Forest sits 5.8 mi off. The tracts listed total 6,641 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote Flats | State forest | 560 | 6G | 5.8 mi | northeast |
| Brownville (Game Farm/Maintenance Center) | WMA | 237 | 6G | 7.1 mi | southwest |
| Dexter Marsh | WMA | 1,240 | 6G | 11 mi | southwest |
| French Creek | WMA | 2,268 | 6G | 11 mi | northwest |
| Grass Point | State park | 111 | 6G | 12 mi | north |
| Ashland Flats | WMA | 2,027 | 6G | 13 mi | west |
| Collins Landing | WMA | 52 | 6G | 13 mi | north |
| Cedar Point | State park | 48 | 6G | 15 mi | northwest |
| Canoe-Picnic Point | State park | 75 | 6G | 15 mi | northwest |
| Long Point | State park | 23 | 6G | 15 mi | west |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Perch River WMA
The town of Brownville, where Perch River WMA lies, produced 522 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownville | Jefferson | 416 | 370 | 424 | 548 | 522 | 278 |
| Orleans | Jefferson | 155 | 154 | 158 | 193 | 185 | 119 |
| Pamelia | Jefferson | 64 | 106 | 99 | 99 | 106 | 67 |
DEC bear tables list 2 for Orleans (2020).
DEC puts the 2025 Jefferson County deer take at 6,226.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,902 | 3,693 | 2,659 |
| 2022 | 7,410 | 3,860 | 2,634 |
| 2023 | 6,673 | 3,893 | 2,340 |
| 2024 | 6,871 | 3,930 | 2,436 |
| 2025 | 6,226 | 3,219 | 2,375 |
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.
Perch River WMA: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Pamelia Center, about 5.4 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamelia Center | Jefferson | 5.4 mi | – | 10,437 |
| Dexter | Jefferson | 8.7 mi | 1,011 | 8,371 |
| Watertown | Jefferson | 9.5 mi | 24,038 | 10,230 |
| Clayton | Jefferson | 11 mi | 1,689 | 3,044 |
Season tables by county for Perch River WMA: Jefferson County.
Perch River WMA: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 39 licensed guides in Jefferson County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Perch River WMA
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.
Perch River Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Hunters on Perch River Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Sno Fun Hunting Preserve (5 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.
Perch River WMA 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 Perch River WMA.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:56 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:00 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:08 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:08 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:06 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:31 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:39 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:57 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:05 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.
Perch River WMA in pictures
Answers on Perch River WMA access and seasons
Which WMU rules apply on Perch River WMA?
Northern Zone, WMU 6G.
Is Perch River WMA a large property?
8,050 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Perch River WMA?
Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Perch River WMA?
It opens Oct 24, 2026 and closes Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season).
What game does the source list for Perch River WMA?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Are antlerless permits issued for Perch River WMA?
Yes. DMPs are issued by WMU, and 6G gets 21,000 in 2026.
When is bear season at Perch River WMA?
Yes: regular Season (Western Periphery) Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 (WMU 6G).
When is spring turkey season at Perch River WMA?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
When are pheasants stocked at Perch River WMA?
DEC plans 749 birds here in 2026.
What zone sets duck dates for Perch River WMA?
Northeastern Zone dates, starting Oct 10, 2026.
How does access work on Perch River WMA?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
How far is Perch River WMA from a town?
Pamelia Center, about 5.4 mi away.
Perch River WMA: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Perch River WMA can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC perch river wildlife management area · 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: Birding for Climate (Public domain); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).