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State forest · 2026-27
Roosa Gap State Forest hunting rules, seasons and access
State forest of 1,184 acres in Sullivan County, hunted under WMU 3M dates, for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: Garden State Hiker (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Roosa Gap State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Roosa Gap State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Bova Road Parking AreaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Summitville ParkingParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Long Path Ferguson Road Parking AreaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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.
Roosa Gap State Forest at a glance
Hunters find Roosa Gap State Forest, a DEC state forest, in Sullivan County. DEC places it in the town of Mamakating. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 3, which spans the lower Hudson Valley. The acreage used here is 1,184, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 202 by size out of 409 state forests. The written DEC description uses 680 acres. DEC plans it under the Shawangunk Ridge unit management plan.
Hunting section, quoted: Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include small game (especially squirrels), turkey, deer, and bear.
From DEC roosa gap state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Roosa Gap State Forest
Roosa Gap State Forest: access and site rules
These state land rules from DEC cover Roosa Gap State Forest:
- Trees on Roosa Gap State Forest stay unharmed, so no hardware, no cleared shooting lanes and no blinds built from brush.
- Your stand may remain in place for the season on Roosa Gap State Forest as long as it is tag-marked with your details and harms no tree.
- Trail cameras and other gear may not be left on Roosa Gap State Forest as storage.
- Motor vehicles stay on maintained roads, and ATVs need a designated route.
- Camping needs a DEC permit where the rules require one.
Laws every Roosa Gap State Forest 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 roosa gap state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Roosa Gap State Forest: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Roosa Gap State Forest (3M); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 3M | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMU 3M | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3M | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3M | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3M | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3M | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Southeastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Southeastern Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Hudson Valley goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Hudson Valley goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3M | 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.
Roosa Gap State Forest and WMU 3M: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Roosa Gap State Forest is WMU 3M ground (Southern Zone, 749 sq. mi. across Orange, Ulster and Sullivan). DEC lists 3M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 7.9% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 3M deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 3M 4,887 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6,781 | 2,880 |
| 2017 | 6,123 | 2,553 |
| 2018 | 6,501 | 2,837 |
| 2019 | 6,323 | 3,024 |
| 2020 | 6,013 | 2,546 |
| 2021 | 4,510 | 2,023 |
| 2022 | 4,887 | 2,199 |
Recent bear numbers for 3M: 2022: 90, 2023: 66, 2024: 92, 2025: 93.
Objective for bears in 3M: reduce 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.
Roosa Gap State Forest: species list
Game listed for Roosa Gap State Forest: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel and small game.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC roosa gap state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Roosa Gap State Forest access points
The DEC directions name 2 places to leave a truck at Roosa Gap State Forest.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Plank Road (Fire Tower Road) Parking Area, at the end of Plank Road: 41.6167, -74.4254 | Navigate |
| Ferguson Road Parking Area: 41.6181, -74.4343 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Roosa Gap State Forest Map · Shawangunk Ridge Trail
Open Roosa Gap State Forest in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC roosa gap state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Roosa Gap State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Roosa Gap State Forest and 10 neighbors; Shawangunk Ridge State Forest sits 2.1 mi off. The tracts listed total 34,597 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawangunk Ridge | State forest | 1,538 | 3J, 3M | 2.1 mi | northeast |
| Wurtsboro Ridge | State forest | 1,137 | 3M | 2.6 mi | south |
| Ulster | Detached parcel | 471 | 3C, 3H | 4.3 mi | east |
| Painter Hill | Multiple use area | 104 | 3H | 5.0 mi | northwest |
| Oak Ridge | Multiple use area | 96 | 3H | 5.3 mi | northwest |
| Witch's Hole | Multiple use area | 592 | 3J | 7.8 mi | northeast |
| Minnewaska State Park Preserve | State park | 23,887 | 3J | 8.3 mi | northeast |
| Bashakill | WMA | 3,090 | 3M | 8.5 mi | southwest |
| Wolf Brook | Multiple use area | 559 | 3K | 10 mi | west |
| Highland Lakes | State park | 3,123 | 3M | 11 mi | southeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Roosa Gap State Forest
The town of Mamakating, where Roosa Gap State Forest lies, produced 327 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mamakating | Sullivan | 281 | 335 | 314 | 374 | 327 | 214 |
DEC bear tables list 39 for Mamakating (2020), 10 for Mamakating (2021), 10 for Mamakating (2022).
DEC puts the 2025 Sullivan County deer take at 4,872.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,371 | 2,768 | 1,359 |
| 2022 | 4,740 | 3,108 | 1,332 |
| 2023 | 4,689 | 2,863 | 1,226 |
| 2024 | 5,254 | 3,148 | 1,691 |
| 2025 | 4,872 | 2,906 | 1,550 |
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.
Roosa Gap State Forest: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Wurtsboro, about 4.7 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wurtsboro | Sullivan | 4.7 mi | 1,086 | 14,492 |
| Watchtower | Ulster | 8.5 mi | – | 5,134 |
| Napanoch | Ulster | 9.0 mi | – | 19,085 |
| Bridgeville | Sullivan | 10 mi | – | 13,521 |
Season tables by county for Roosa Gap State Forest: Sullivan County.
Roosa Gap State Forest: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 13 licensed guides in Sullivan County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Roosa Gap 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.
Nearest public range for Roosa Gap State Forest hunters
Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range, 57 miles off, is the public range nearest Roosa Gap State Forest. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Roosa Gap State Forest 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 Roosa Gap State Forest.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:54 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:20 a.m. | 6:06 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:55 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:18 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:26 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:57 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:25 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 7:55 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.
Roosa Gap State Forest in pictures
Answers on Roosa Gap State Forest access and seasons
How far is Roosa Gap State Forest from a town?
Wurtsboro, about 4.7 mi away.
When is bear season at Roosa Gap State Forest?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 3M).
Do I need orange or pink on Roosa Gap State Forest?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a qualifying hat.
Can I use screw-in steps on Roosa Gap State Forest?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
How does access work on Roosa Gap State Forest?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
What hours apply on Roosa Gap State Forest?
Sunrise minus 30 minutes for big game; the hours table above has local times.
Which WMU rules apply on Roosa Gap State Forest?
Southern Zone, WMU 3M.
Is Roosa Gap State Forest a large property?
1,184 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Roosa Gap State Forest?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Roosa Gap State Forest?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When is spring turkey season at Roosa Gap State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
What game does the source list for Roosa Gap State Forest?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, small game and furbearers.
Roosa Gap State Forest: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Roosa Gap State Forest can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC roosa gap 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: Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0); Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) (CC BY 2.0); jacopast (CC BY-SA 2.0).