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State forest · central New York
Salmon River State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Oswego County.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Salmon River State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Salmon River State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Little America Car Top LaunchBoat ramp · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- CR2 TrailheadParking · 5.9 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.
Salmon River State Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a DEC state forest, Salmon River State Forest lies in Oswego County. On the ground it lies within Redfield. The DEC region is Region 7 (central New York). It measures 2,764 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 72nd of 409 state forests. DEC groups it in the Upper Salmon River planning unit.
From DEC salmon river state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Salmon River State Forest
Salmon River State Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Salmon River State Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 6K, 6N and the Northeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 6K, 6N | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 6K, 6N | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | 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 | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | 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.
How you may hunt Salmon River State Forest
DEC state land rules for state forests, multiple use areas and similar tracts apply on Salmon River State Forest:
- A stand on Salmon River State Forest cannot be fixed to a tree with nails or bolts, and lanes may not be cut.
- Label any portable stand on Salmon River State Forest with your name and address or hunting license number; it can stay through the season but must be gone at its close.
- Leaving gear, cameras included, on Salmon River State Forest breaks the state land rules.
- No motor vehicle leaves the maintained roads on Salmon River State Forest unless DEC designates the route.
- Camping is allowed under the state land rules, with a permit when one is required.
New York rules that apply on Salmon River State Forest too
- Firearm deer and bear hunters, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least half orange or pink.
- Mind the 500-foot firearm setback from dwellings and farm buildings near the boundary.
- Bait, salt licks and mineral attractants are illegal for deer and bear, and feeding them is banned year-round.
- Sundays are open statewide; only a site rule can close them.
From DEC salmon river state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Salmon River State Forest
Salmon River State Forest has 1 listed parking spot on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| CCC Road Parking: 43.5560, -75.8935 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Salmon River State Forest Map · Salmon River Reservoir Campsite Map · Part 2
Parking points and maps from DEC salmon river state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 6K rules that reach Salmon River State Forest
WMU 6K is the unit that counts for Salmon River State Forest: Northern Zone, 1,161 square miles, in Oneida, Oswego and Lewis. 6,500 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 6K (average success 18.0%; resident first DMP: med). Bear rules in 6K follow the Western Periphery area. 6K fall turkey season: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6K | Northern | 6,500 | 18.0% | med | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
| 6N | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
6K: deer by season
The 6K deer take moved from 3,960 (2016) to 5,072 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,960 | 2,358 |
| 2017 | 3,580 | 2,248 |
| 2018 | 4,271 | 2,530 |
| 2019 | 4,483 | 2,968 |
| 2020 | 5,300 | 2,854 |
| 2021 | 4,613 | 2,974 |
| 2022 | 5,072 | 2,892 |
6K bear take by year: 2020 11; 2021 8; 2022 12; 2023 13; 2024 17; 2025 18.
6K bear objective: 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.
Salmon River State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Salmon River State Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Hall Island State Forest is the closest (2.1 mi). Combined: 16,684 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall Island | State forest | 2,120 | 6K | 2.1 mi | southwest |
| Battle Hill | State forest | 1,730 | 6K, 6N | 2.6 mi | north |
| Stave Mill | State forest | 3,128 | 6K | 2.6 mi | northwest |
| O'Hara | State forest | 1,397 | 6K | 3.8 mi | south |
| Line Brook | State forest | 1,128 | 6N | 4.5 mi | east |
| Lot 50 | Detached parcel | 124 | 6N | 5.3 mi | east |
| Chateaugay | State forest | 4,047 | 6K | 5.4 mi | west |
| Lot 38 | Detached parcel | 61 | 6N | 6.5 mi | east |
| West Osceola | State forest | 1,897 | 6K, 6N | 6.5 mi | southeast |
| Kasoag | State forest | 1,052 | 6K | 6.6 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Salmon River State Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Altmar, 8.3 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altmar | Oswego | 8.3 mi | – | 29,980 |
| Pulaski | Oswego | 14 mi | 2,270 | 13,089 |
| Camden | Oneida | 16 mi | 2,149 | 21,494 |
| Lorraine | Jefferson | 16 mi | – | 34,980 |
County pages that list Salmon River State Forest: Oswego County.
Salmon River State Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 42 in Oswego County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Salmon River 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.
Salmon River State Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Redfield reached 105 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfield | Oswego | 103 | 189 | 158 | 120 | 105 | 85 |
Black bears by town: Redfield, 2020, 3; Redfield, 2021, 1; Redfield, 2022, 3.
Across Oswego County, DEC counted 4,250 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,285 | 2,265 | 1,643 |
| 2022 | 4,776 | 2,571 | 1,655 |
| 2023 | 4,261 | 2,453 | 1,422 |
| 2024 | 4,497 | 2,592 | 1,519 |
| 2025 | 4,250 | 2,316 | 1,546 |
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.
Salmon River State Forest: nearest firing lines
Mad River Club is the closest listed range to Salmon River State Forest, about 9 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Salmon River State Forest: first and last legal light
Spring turkey hunting ends at noon, fall turkey and upland birds run sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7:01 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:09 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:05 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:37 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:59 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:29 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:29 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.
Salmon River State Forest in pictures
Salmon River State Forest: short answers
What do I need to hunt Salmon River State Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
How early can I shoot deer on Salmon River State Forest?
Half an hour before sunrise for deer and bear; spring turkey ends at noon.
Which unit sets deer dates for Salmon River State Forest?
6K, a Northern Zone unit.
What does Salmon River State Forest measure?
2,764 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Salmon River State Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Salmon River State Forest?
The regular Season runs Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
Is there a spring gobbler season at Salmon River State Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Salmon River State Forest?
6,500 DMPs are targeted for 6K, with 18.0% average success.
How far is Salmon River State Forest from a town?
Altmar is 8.3 mi away.
Is Salmon River State Forest in a bear hunting area?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Western Periphery)).
Does the orange law apply on Salmon River State Forest?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Are tree stands allowed on Salmon River State Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
Salmon River State Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Salmon River State Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC salmon river 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: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).