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Public hunting · Canoe area
What hunters need to know about Saint Regis Canoe Area
Rules, WMU 6F season dates, maps and neighbors for a canoe area in Franklin County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Saint Regis Canoe Area
What Saint Regis Canoe Area is
Saint Regis Canoe Area is a Forest Preserve canoe area in Franklin County. It is a Region 5 property, in the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. Size: 18,994 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). Management direction comes from the Saint Regis Canoe Area unit plan.
From the DEC page for Saint Regis Canoe Area: All the lands and waters within the Saint Regis Canoe Area are open to hunting. 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. Big game hunting is a popular activity, particularly near easily accessible locations such as Keeses Mills Road, Fish Pond Truck Trail, and Floodwood Road areas. The pursuit of white-tailed deer and black bear mostly occurs around the perimeter of the …
From DEC saint regis canoe area; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Saint Regis Canoe Area
Saint Regis Canoe Area hunting rules for 2026-27
Forest Preserve land such as Saint Regis Canoe Area follows 6 NYCRR Part 190:
- Hunting and trapping are allowed on Saint Regis Canoe Area during open seasons unless an area is posted.
- On Saint Regis Canoe Area 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 Saint Regis Canoe Area
- 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 saint regis canoe area, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Saint Regis Canoe Area, and when
This calendar is cut down to Saint Regis Canoe Area: its WMU (6F), 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 6F | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6F | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMU 6F | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6F | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6F | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6F | 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 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6F | 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.
Saint Regis Canoe Area: WMU 6F numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 6F, 1,213 square miles in the Northern Zone covering parts of St Lawrence and Franklin. By law no DMPs are issued in 6F, an Adirondack unit. The bear area for 6F is Adirondacks. Fall turkey in 6F: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6F | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
Calculated deer take, 6F
In 2022, 6F produced 1,052 deer by DEC's estimate (697 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 697 | 608 |
| 2017 | 981 | 888 |
| 2018 | 893 | 802 |
| 2019 | 1,039 | 952 |
| 2020 | 943 | 862 |
| 2021 | 976 | 845 |
| 2022 | 1,052 | 911 |
Bear harvest in 6F for 2025 was 64, or 5.3 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 6F 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.
Saint Regis Canoe Area game species
Expect white-tailed deer and black bear on Saint Regis Canoe Area.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Black bear
Sep 19–Dec 6
Species from DEC saint regis canoe area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Saint Regis Canoe Area
DEC lists 8 parking or access points for Saint Regis Canoe Area.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| requires a 1.1-mile carry to the hand launch site on Long Pond: 44.3392, -74.4053 | Get there |
| requires a 0.3 mile carry to the hand launch site on Long Pond: 44.3466, -74.4215 | Get there |
| is outside the canoe area, as is the pond itself. Paddler must pass through a culvert under the railroad track embankment to access Turtle Pond or carry over the embankment if water levels prohibit passage through the culvert. The parking is located at the end of a rough dirt road just past the Saranac Inn Golf Course: 44.3469, -74.3444 | Get there |
| is located on the southwest shore of Little Clear Pond: 44.3554, -74.2921 | Get there |
| Fish Pond Truck Trail Parking Area: 44.3554, -74.3037 | Get there |
| Little Green Pond Parking Area: 44.3592, -74.2946 | Get there |
| is located on the southeast shore of Upper Saint Regis Lake off Saint Regis Carry Road. Paddlers must cross the lake and paddle up Bear Pond Outlet to access the canoe area: 44.3951, -74.2698 | Get there |
| is located on Keeses Mills Road: 44.4321, -74.3001 | Get there |
Map in print form: Saint Regis Canoe Area Map · DEC Land Maps for Google Earth · DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC saint regis canoe area; checked October 27, 2026.
Saint Regis Canoe Area and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Saint Regis Canoe Area, starting with Paul Smiths College Conservation Easement Tract. Combined: 389,103 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Smiths College | Easement tract | 7,814 | 5C, 5F | 6.2 mi | east |
| Saranac Lakes | Wild forest | 80,651 | 5F, 6F | 7.5 mi | southeast |
| Debar Mountain | Wild forest | 88,354 | 5C, 6F | 13 mi | north |
| Santa Clara | Easement tract | 71,951 | 5C, 6F | 14 mi | north |
| Kushaqua | Easement tract | 19,419 | 5C | 14 mi | northeast |
| Raquette Boreal Complex | Forest Preserve unit | 25,638 | 6F, 6J | 16 mi | west |
| Dead Creek | Primitive area | 1,154 | 6J | 17 mi | southwest |
| McKenzie Mountain | Wilderness | 37,366 | 5F | 18 mi | east |
| Bog River Complex | Forest Preserve unit | 17,058 | 5F, 6J | 20 mi | southwest |
| Taylor Pond | Wild forest | 39,698 | 5C, 5F | 21 mi | northeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Saint Regis Canoe Area
The 2025 deer take for Franklin County was 2,760.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,137 | 1,663 | 424 |
| 2022 | 2,393 | 1,755 | 513 |
| 2023 | 2,296 | 1,660 | 455 |
| 2024 | 2,836 | 2,164 | 582 |
| 2025 | 2,760 | 2,041 | 559 |
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.
Saint Regis Canoe Area: nearby towns and services
Paul Smiths sits 6.0 mi from Saint Regis Canoe Area, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Smiths | Franklin | 6.0 mi | – | 99,131 |
| Saranac Lake | Franklin | 12 mi | 4,856 | 129,641 |
| Tupper Lake | Franklin | 12 mi | 3,308 | 63,369 |
| Lake Placid | Essex | 19 mi | 2,302 | 148,134 |
Open the county guide for Saint Regis Canoe Area: Franklin County.
Saint Regis Canoe Area: businesses close by
Franklin County is home to 15 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Saint Regis Canoe Area: 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.
Saint Regis Canoe Area: nearest firing lines
Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club, 12 miles away, is the nearest range to Saint Regis Canoe Area; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Saint Regis Canoe Area: 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 Saint Regis Canoe Area and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:53 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:01 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:26 a.m. | 4:18 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:18 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:34 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:49 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:19 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 5:19 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.
Saint Regis Canoe Area in pictures
Saint Regis Canoe Area questions, answered from the record
Can I leave a tree stand on Saint Regis Canoe Area?
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 Saint Regis Canoe Area?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Saint Regis Canoe Area open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Saint Regis Canoe Area measure?
The record lists 18,994 acres.
What zone and WMU is Saint Regis Canoe Area?
The DEC WMU layer gives 6F (Northern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Saint Regis Canoe Area?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 6F.
What is the bowhunting window on Saint Regis Canoe Area?
Archery runs Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 to start.
Does Saint Regis Canoe Area have Deer Management Permits?
No DMPs exist for 6F.
What species go with Saint Regis Canoe Area?
You will find white-tailed deer and black bear on the list.
When does turkey season open on Saint Regis Canoe Area?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Saint Regis Canoe Area?
WMU 6F is open for bears Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026.
How far is Saint Regis Canoe Area from a town?
Paul Smiths is 6.0 mi away.
Saint Regis Canoe Area: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Saint Regis Canoe Area.
Sources: DEC saint regis canoe area · 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); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); ImNotQuiteJack (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).