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Easement tract · 2026-27
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract hunting rules, seasons and access
Easement tract of 71,951 acres in Franklin County and 1 more, hunted under WMU 5C dates, for big game and small game.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract at a glance
Hunters find Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract, a conservation easement tract with public recreation rights, in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 5, which spans the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. The acreage used here is 71,951, taken from computed area of the DEC Conservation Easements layer polygon(s). It is number 1 by size out of 13 easement tracts.
Hunting section, quoted: Big game hunting and small game hunting are allowed on the conservation easement lands in accordance with state laws and regulations. Hunting is not allowed on the posted one-acre areas around the leased camps. More than 100 privately-leased camps are scattered throughout the Santa Clara Tract Conservation Easement. The public is prohibited from entering the camps and one-acre of land around the camp.
From DEC santa clara conservation easement trac; acreage computed area of the DEC Conservation Easements layer polygon(s); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: access and site rules
These state land rules from DEC cover Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract:
- Trees on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract 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 Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract as long as it is tag-marked with your details and harms no tree.
- Trail cameras and other gear may not be left on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract 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 Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract 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 santa clara conservation easement trac, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract (5C, 6F); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 5C, 6F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 5C, 6F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 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 | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 5C, 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.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract and WMU 5C: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract is WMU 5C ground (Northern Zone, 1,126 sq. mi. across Clinton, Franklin and Essex). State law bars DMPs in 5C. Bear area: Adirondacks. Fall turkey here: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5C | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
| 6F | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
WMU 5C deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 5C 1,210 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 583 | 480 |
| 2017 | 616 | 528 |
| 2018 | 847 | 691 |
| 2019 | 1,003 | 808 |
| 2020 | 939 | 703 |
| 2021 | 955 | 794 |
| 2022 | 1,210 | 955 |
Recent bear numbers for 5C: 2022: 35, 2023: 47, 2024: 58, 2025: 46.
Objective for bears in 5C: 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.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: species list
Hunters come to Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract for big game and small game above all.
Big game
Oct 24–Dec 6
Small game
Oct 1–Mar 21
Species from DEC santa clara conservation easement trac; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract access points
The DEC directions name 14 places to leave a truck at Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| is located at the end of short access road on the west side of Blue Mountain Road: 44.5377, -74.4851 | Navigate |
| is located at the end of the 1.5-mile dirt road off the north side of State Route 458: 44.6476, -74.4417 | Navigate |
| is located on the north side of Red Tavern Road (County Route 14: 44.6712, -74.4245 | Navigate |
| is located on the east side of Blue Mountain Road at the Quebec Brook crossing: 44.5148, -74.4457 | Navigate |
| is located on the spur of the MAPPWD Route: 44.5574, -74.6028 | Navigate |
| is located on the spur of the MAPPWD Route: 44.5467, -74.6054 | Navigate |
| is located off Dexter Road in the hamlet of Santa Clara: 44.6306, -74.4533 | Navigate |
| is located near the end of the 6.0 mile Madawaska Road off of State Route 458: 44.5217, -74.3782 | Navigate |
| is located on the north side of Red Tavern Road (County Route 14)and the hand launch is across the road: 44.6712, -74.4245 | Navigate |
| is located at the end of Vanderwalker Road (a rough, seasonal road off the north side of State Route 458) keep to the right shortly after you enter the road. The East Branch St. Regis Hand Launch site is at the end of 0.4 mile portage trail from the parking area: 44.6375, -74.3992 | Navigate |
| is located at the end of Four Mile Road (a rough, seasonal road off the east side of Blue Mountain Road: 44.5559, -74.4719 | Navigate |
| is located off the west side of Blue Mountain Road; there is a 0.6 mile carry to the hand launch: 44.4995, -74.4262 | Navigate |
| is located off the Cold Brook Road immediately off State Route 30: 44.6331, -74.2800 | Navigate |
| Long Pond Hand Launch Parking Area is located at the end of Trim Road off County Route 14: 44.6507, -74.4939 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract Map
Open Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC santa clara conservation easement trac; checked October 27, 2026.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract and 10 neighbors; Debar Mountain Wild Forest sits 7.1 mi off. The tracts listed total 185,655 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debar Mountain | Wild forest | 88,354 | 5C, 6F | 7.1 mi | east |
| Franklin | Detached parcel | 138 | 6F | 8.0 mi | north |
| St. Regis River | State forest | 929 | 6F | 11 mi | northwest |
| Deer River | State forest | 12,289 | 6F | 11 mi | north |
| Kushaqua | Easement tract | 19,419 | 5C | 11 mi | east |
| Titusville Mountain | State forest | 7,169 | 5C | 12 mi | northeast |
| Saint Regis | Canoe area | 18,994 | 6F | 14 mi | south |
| Paul Smiths College | Easement tract | 7,814 | 5C, 5F | 14 mi | southeast |
| Catherineville | State forest | 1,623 | 6F | 17 mi | west |
| Sable Highlands | Easement tract | 28,926 | 5C | 17 mi | northeast |
Points: DEC Conservation Easements layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract
DEC puts the 2025 Franklin County deer take at 2,760.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: nearby towns and services
Closest base: St. Regis Falls, about 9.5 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Regis Falls | Franklin | 9.5 mi | – | 28,492 |
| Paul Smiths | Franklin | 12 mi | – | 99,131 |
| Malone | Franklin | 19 mi | 5,373 | 7,620 |
| Parishville | St. Lawrence | 20 mi | – | 20,100 |
Season tables by county for Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: Franklin County, St. Lawrence County.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 15 licensed guides in Franklin County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract
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.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: nearest firing lines
Hunters on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract can sight in at Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club (21 miles), the nearest listing; public ranges are all more than 60 miles off.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract 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 Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract in pictures
Answers on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract access and seasons
When is bear season at Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
Yes: regular Season (Adirondacks) Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026 (WMUs 5C, 6F).
When is spring turkey season at Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
Can I use screw-in steps on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
How far is Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract from a town?
St. Regis Falls, about 9.5 mi away.
How does access work on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
Do I need orange or pink on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a qualifying hat.
Which WMU rules apply on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
Northern Zone, WMU 5C.
Is Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract a large property?
71,951 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
It opens Oct 24, 2026 and closes Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season).
What game does the source list for Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
Big game and small game.
Are DMPs issued for Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract?
No. 5C is an Adirondack unit where state law bars DMPs.
Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC santa clara conservation easement trac · 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: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); ImNotQuiteJack (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0).