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What hunters need to know about Pigeon Lake Wilderness
Rules, WMU 6J season dates, maps and neighbors for a wilderness in Herkimer County and 1 more.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Pigeon Lake Wilderness
What Pigeon Lake Wilderness is
Pigeon Lake Wilderness is a Forest Preserve wilderness in Hamilton and Herkimer counties. The DEC page names Long Lake, Inlet and Webb as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 6 property, in the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley. Size: 50,836 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 5 others of the 23 wilderness areas are larger. Management direction comes from the Pigeon Lake unit plan.
From the DEC page for Pigeon Lake Wilderness: Hunters may use the parking areas , roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, and hand launches used by paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. The area is open for hunting though not notable for any particular species. Deer and bear are most commonly pursued game. Small game hunting and trapping opportunities are also abundant.
From DEC pigeon lake wilderness; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Pigeon Lake Wilderness
Pigeon Lake Wilderness hunting rules for 2026-27
Forest Preserve land such as Pigeon Lake Wilderness follows 6 NYCRR Part 190:
- Hunting and trapping are allowed on Pigeon Lake Wilderness during open seasons unless an area is posted.
- On Pigeon Lake Wilderness a saw, a nail or a screw-in step all break the Part 190 rules.
- Tents go 150 feet or more from any road, trail or water, except at designated sites.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Pigeon Lake Wilderness
- 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 pigeon lake wilderness, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Pigeon Lake Wilderness, and when
This calendar is cut down to Pigeon Lake Wilderness: its WMU (6J), 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 6J | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6J | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6J | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMU 6J | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6J | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6J | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6J | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6J | 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 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6J | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6J | 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.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: WMU 6J numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 6J, 1,576 square miles in the Northern Zone covering parts of Lewis, Herkimer and Hamilton. By law no DMPs are issued in 6J, an Adirondack unit. The bear area for 6J is Adirondacks. Fall turkey in 6J: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6J | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
Calculated deer take, 6J
In 2022, 6J produced 1,304 deer by DEC's estimate (1,007 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,007 | 901 |
| 2017 | 1,034 | 965 |
| 2018 | 1,065 | 972 |
| 2019 | 1,099 | 1,005 |
| 2020 | 1,051 | 907 |
| 2021 | 1,028 | 846 |
| 2022 | 1,304 | 1,075 |
Bear harvest in 6J for 2025 was 91, or 5.8 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 6J 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.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness game species
Expect white-tailed deer, black bear and small game on Pigeon Lake Wilderness.
Species from DEC pigeon lake wilderness; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Pigeon Lake Wilderness
DEC lists 4 parking or access points for Pigeon Lake Wilderness.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Along Big Moose Road, approximately 1.3 miles north of its intersection with State Route 28, hamlet of Eagle Bay: 43.7785, -74.8259 | Get there |
| Along Big Moose Road, approximately 3.3 miles north of its intersection with State Route 28, hamlet of Eagle Bay: 43.8030, -74.8478 | Get there |
| is located on Uncas Round is Raquette Lake: 43.8107, -74.6939 | Get there |
| is located off of Higby Road: 43.8273, -74.8386 | Get there |
Parking points and maps from DEC pigeon lake wilderness; checked October 27, 2026.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Pigeon Lake Wilderness, starting with Fulton Chain Wild Forest. Combined: 501,866 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton Chain | Wild forest | 15,566 | 5H, 6J | 6.6 mi | southwest |
| Moose River Plains Complex | Forest Preserve unit | 79,479 | 5H, 6J | 9.8 mi | southeast |
| William C. Whitney Wilderness | Wilderness | 31,865 | 6J | 12 mi | northeast |
| Stillwater Reservoir | DEC state land | 6,700 | 6J | 12 mi | west |
| Sargent Ponds | Wild forest | 43,793 | 5F, 6J | 14 mi | east |
| Five Ponds and Pepperbox | Wilderness | 157,632 | 6J | 14 mi | northwest |
| Blue Ridge | Wilderness | 48,490 | 5H | 16 mi | east |
| Ha-De-Ron-Dah | Wilderness | 25,663 | 6J | 17 mi | southwest |
| Independence River | Wild forest | 79,217 | 6J | 18 mi | west |
| Watson's East Triangle Complex | Forest Preserve unit | 13,461 | 6J | 20 mi | northwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Pigeon Lake Wilderness
Long Lake logged 145 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Lake | Hamilton | 138 | 121 | 147 | 156 | 145 | 128 |
| Inlet | Hamilton | 24 | 36 | 53 | 31 | 34 | 32 |
| Webb | Herkimer | 136 | 133 | 171 | 145 | 133 | 127 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Long Lake (2021) 7, Long Lake (2022) 5, Inlet (2022) 4, Webb (2020) 6, Webb (2021) 6, Webb (2022) 8.
The 2025 deer take for Herkimer County was 2,267.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,690 | 1,712 | 837 |
| 2022 | 2,729 | 1,662 | 883 |
| 2023 | 2,263 | 1,542 | 604 |
| 2024 | 2,590 | 1,692 | 739 |
| 2025 | 2,267 | 1,465 | 625 |
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.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: nearby towns and services
Eagle Bay sits 6.0 mi from Pigeon Lake Wilderness, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Bay | Herkimer | 6.0 mi | – | 123,606 |
| Old Forge | Herkimer | 13 mi | – | 88,759 |
| Thendara | Herkimer | 14 mi | – | 89,570 |
| Long Lake | Hamilton | 20 mi | – | 74,428 |
Open the county guide for Pigeon Lake Wilderness: Hamilton County, Herkimer County.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: businesses close by
Herkimer County is home to 11 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: 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.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: nearest firing lines
Beaver River Fish and Game Club, 24 miles away, is the nearest range to Pigeon Lake Wilderness; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: 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 Pigeon Lake Wilderness and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:55 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:04 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:34 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:00 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:25 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:32 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:00 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.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness in pictures
Pigeon Lake Wilderness questions, answered from the record
Can I leave a tree stand on Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Does the orange law apply on Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Pigeon Lake Wilderness open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Pigeon Lake Wilderness measure?
The record lists 50,836 acres.
What zone and WMU is Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
The DEC WMU layer gives 6J (Northern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 6J.
What is the bowhunting window on Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
Archery runs Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 to start.
Does Pigeon Lake Wilderness have Deer Management Permits?
No DMPs exist for 6J.
What species go with Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
You will find white-tailed deer, black bear and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Pigeon Lake Wilderness?
WMU 6J is open for bears Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026.
How far is Pigeon Lake Wilderness from a town?
Eagle Bay is 6.0 mi away.
Pigeon Lake Wilderness: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Pigeon Lake Wilderness.
Sources: DEC pigeon lake wilderness · 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: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0).