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State forest · western New York
What hunters need to know about Rush Creek State Forest
Rules, WMU 9W season dates, maps and neighbors for a state forest in Allegany County.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Rush Creek State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Rush Creek State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 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 Rush Creek State Forest is
Rush Creek State Forest is a DEC state forest in Allegany County. The DEC page names New Hudson, Caneadea and Rushford as the towns it falls in. It is a Region 9 property, in western New York. Size: 1,405 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 165 others of the 409 state forests are larger. Management direction comes from the Allegany unit plan.
From the DEC page for Rush Creek State Forest: The area is a popular destination for both small game and big game hunting. Hunting is permitted on the property in accordance with all game regulations, unless otherwise posted.
From DEC rush creek state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rush Creek State Forest
Rush Creek State Forest hunting rules for 2026-27
The DEC rules for using state forest land, applied to Rush Creek State Forest:
- Cutting or damaging trees on Rush Creek 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.
- Rush Creek 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 Rush Creek 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 rush creek state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Rush Creek State Forest, and when
This calendar is cut down to Rush Creek State Forest: its WMU (9W), 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 9W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9W | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9W | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9W | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9W | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9W | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9W | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9W | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9W | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9W | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9W | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9W | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9W | 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 9W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9W | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9W | 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.
Rush Creek State Forest: WMU 9W numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 9W, 250 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Allegany and Cattaraugus. For 9W, DEC aims to issue 2,600 DMPs in 2026; success averages 21.0% and residents' first-DMP odds are med. The bear area for 9W is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 9W: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9W | Southern | 2,600 | 21.0% | med | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 9W
In 2022, 9W produced 1,424 deer by DEC's estimate (1,494 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,494 | 854 |
| 2017 | 1,525 | 917 |
| 2018 | 1,711 | 932 |
| 2019 | 1,499 | 877 |
| 2020 | 1,631 | 743 |
| 2021 | 1,493 | 851 |
| 2022 | 1,424 | 716 |
Bear harvest in 9W for 2025 was 10, or 4.0 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 9W is to 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.
Rush Creek State Forest game species
Expect big game and small game on Rush Creek State Forest.
Big game
Nov 21–Dec 13
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC rush creek state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Rush Creek State Forest
Map in print form: Rush Creek State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC rush creek state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Rush Creek State Forest and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Rush Creek State Forest, starting with Hanging Bog WMA. Combined: 18,219 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanging Bog | WMA | 4,562 | 9W | 3.4 mi | southwest |
| Crab Hollow | State forest | 1,151 | 9W | 4.4 mi | southwest |
| Allen Lake | State forest | 2,425 | 9P | 5.8 mi | east |
| Swift Hill | State forest | 1,571 | 9N | 6.9 mi | north |
| Bush Hill | State forest | 2,824 | 9W | 7.3 mi | west |
| Farmersville | State forest | 1,148 | 9W | 7.3 mi | northwest |
| Coyle Hill | State forest | 2,391 | 9W | 8.1 mi | southeast |
| Harwood Lake | Multiple use area | 301 | 9W | 9.4 mi | west |
| Cold Creek | State forest | 496 | 9N | 11 mi | north |
| Lost Nation | State forest | 1,350 | 9N | 11 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Rush Creek State Forest
New Hudson logged 227 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hudson | Allegany | 115 | 146 | 139 | 217 | 227 | 131 |
| Caneadea | Allegany | 280 | 250 | 292 | 252 | 290 | 143 |
| Rushford | Allegany | 262 | 265 | 233 | 297 | 295 | 153 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: New Hudson (2020) 1, New Hudson (2022) 1, Caneadea (2020) 1, Caneadea (2021) 2, Rushford (2020) 1, Rushford (2021) 1.
The 2025 deer take for Allegany County was 9,179.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,375 | 4,596 | 3,082 |
| 2022 | 8,690 | 4,287 | 3,281 |
| 2023 | 8,221 | 4,197 | 2,811 |
| 2024 | 8,737 | 4,820 | 3,016 |
| 2025 | 9,179 | 4,825 | 3,520 |
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.
Rush Creek State Forest: nearby towns and services
Belfast sits 3.9 mi from Rush Creek State Forest, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Allegany | 3.9 mi | – | 16,106 |
| Rushford | Allegany | 4.0 mi | – | 16,906 |
| Angelica | Allegany | 9.4 mi | 707 | 29,130 |
| Friendship | Allegany | 11 mi | – | 8,456 |
Open the county guide for Rush Creek State Forest: Allegany County.
Rush Creek State Forest: businesses close by
Allegany County is home to 5 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Rush Creek 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.
Rush Creek State Forest: nearest firing lines
Almond Rod & Gun Club, 17 miles away, is the nearest range to Rush Creek State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Rush Creek 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 Rush Creek State Forest and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 6:33 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 | 7:34 a.m. | 6:18 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:09 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:33 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:41 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:09 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 8:10 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.
Rush Creek State Forest in pictures
Rush Creek State Forest questions, answered from the record
Can I leave a tree stand on Rush Creek 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.
Does the orange law apply on Rush Creek State Forest?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Rush Creek State Forest open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Rush Creek State Forest measure?
The record lists 1,405 acres.
What zone and WMU is Rush Creek State Forest?
The DEC WMU layer gives 9W (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Rush Creek State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 9W.
What is the bowhunting window on Rush Creek State Forest?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Rush Creek State Forest?
Yes: WMU 9W has a 2026 target of 2,600 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are med.
What species go with Rush Creek State Forest?
You will find big game and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Rush Creek State Forest?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Rush Creek State Forest?
WMU 9W is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Rush Creek State Forest from a town?
Belfast is 3.9 mi away.
Rush Creek State Forest: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Rush Creek State Forest.
Sources: DEC rush creek 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); The Cornell IPM Image Gallery (CC BY 2.0).