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New York wild forest
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest for hunters
Public hunting ground in Franklin County and 1 more: access rules, WMU 5F seasons, permits, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: Christian Collins (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Second Pond Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 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.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest at a glance
The records class Saranac Lakes Wild Forest as a Forest Preserve wild forest in Essex and Franklin counties. Town lines: North Elba, Harrietstown, Santa Clara, Tupper Lake, Brighton and Franklin. Regional staff for the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain (Region 5) look after it. Its 80,651 acres come from DEC Lands layer ACRES. That ranks 6th of the 35 wild forests on our New York list. Its unit management plan: Saranac Lakes and Saranac Lakes Islands Camp.
What DEC writes about hunting here: Wildlife Management Unit : 5F and 6F Deer and bear hunting in this unit is big woods hunting with good access due to the proximity to main roads. As with most of the Adirondacks, bucks live longer so the average antler size is larger than most other areas of the state. Antlerless harvest is restricted to archery and early muzzleloader seasons. Bears can usually be found foraging on beechnuts or black cherries early in the season.
From DEC saranac lakes wild forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
Open seasons on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest this year
43 dated seasons for 31 species reach Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, matched to WMU 5F, 6F, the Northeastern duck zone and the Northeast goose area.
| Species | Season | WMU or zone | Open | Close | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 5F, 6F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 5F, 6F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 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 5F, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 6F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 5F, 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.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: access and site rules
The Forest Preserve land use rules apply in full on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest:
- Seasons on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest follow the WMU rules; posted areas are the exception.
- Tree cutting and tree hardware are both banned on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest.
- Pitch camp 150 feet back from water, roads and trails, or at a marked site.
Rules from the state guide, on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
- Pink counts the same as orange; firearm deer and bear hunters need 250 square inches or a qualifying hat.
- Keep 500 feet from occupied houses and farm buildings with a gun (250 feet with a crossbow, 150 feet with a bow) unless the owner consents.
- Feeding deer or bear is prohibited at any time, and baited areas are off limits.
- Sunday is a hunting day under state law.
From DEC saranac lakes wild forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Where to park at Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
Access to Saranac Lakes Wild Forest starts at 36 DEC parking points.
| Access point, GPS | Link |
|---|---|
| is on Bloomingdale Road, 1.8 miles west of the intersection with State Route 3: 44.4132, -74.1215 | Route |
| is located off State Route 86, 1 mile north of Saranac Lake: 44.3627, -74.1507 | Route |
| is located off Peninsula Way Road in Lake Placid: 44.2990, -73.9946 | Route |
| is located on State Route 86, east of the Village of Lake Placid: 44.2966, -73.9433 | Route |
| is located on State Route 86, east of the Village of Lake Placid: 44.2928, -73.9506 | Route |
| is located at the intersection of State Route 86 and Connery Pond Road: 44.3015, -73.9348 | Route |
| is located on State Route 30, 1.75 miles north of the intersection with State Route 3: 44.2614, -74.3490 | Route |
| is located on State Route 30, 0.75 miles north of the intersection with State Route 3: 44.2498, -74.3464 | Route |
| is located off Floodwood Road, 6.2 miles west of State Route 30: 44.3449, -74.4451 | Route |
| is located off Lavair Road, near the intersection with State Route 30: 44.3677, -74.2339 | Route |
| is located on Floodwood Road, 3 miles west of State Route 30: 44.3419, -74.3881 | Route |
| is located on State Route 86 east of the Village Saranac Lake: 44.3051, -74.1114 | Route |
| is located on State Route 3, 1.4 miles east of intersection with State Route 30: 44.2307, -74.3353 | Route |
| is located on State Route 86, east of the Village of Lake Placid: 44.2916, -73.9550 | Route |
Paper map to print: Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Overview Map · Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Map – Upper Saranac · Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Map – Raquette River · Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Map – Scarface Mountain · Overview Map · Raquette River Map
For hunters with mobility limits, DEC notes: From the East Pine Pond Waterway Access Site Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Hand boat launch From the Follensby Clear Pond Waterway Access Site Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Hand boat launch with dock From the Hoyt-Peroni Memorial Forest Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Picnic area Trail From …
Parking points and maps from DEC saranac lakes wild forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: species list
Game listed for Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and rabbit and hare.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Black bear
Sep 19–Dec 6
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ruffed grouse
Sep 20–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Mar 21
Small game
Oct 1–Mar 21
Species from DEC saranac lakes wild forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Deer permits and harvest in the WMU over Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
5F is the Wildlife Management Unit over Saranac Lakes Wild Forest; it covers 1,328 square miles in Essex, Franklin and Hamilton. 5F gets no DMPs; antlerless deer come only with the Bow/Muzz tag where valid. For bears, 5F falls in the Adirondacks area. Fall turkey dates for 5F: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | Avg. success | Chance, resident | APR | Weapons | Bear zone | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5F | 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 |
5F deer numbers
Deer take in 5F: 689 in 2016, 846 in 2022.
| Season | Deer | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 689 | 575 |
| 2017 | 718 | 600 |
| 2018 | 890 | 730 |
| 2019 | 767 | 651 |
| 2020 | 770 | 607 |
| 2021 | 757 | 647 |
| 2022 | 846 | 703 |
Bears taken in 5F: 25 in 2020, 18 in 2021, 15 in 2022, 20 in 2023, 27 in 2024, 15 in 2025.
DEC's bear objective for 5F: 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.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest and the public land around it
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest gets the large pin; the closest neighbor is Paul Smiths College Conservation Easement Tract, 6.8 mi north. The listed neighbors hold 583,972 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Unit | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Smiths College | Easement tract | 7,814 | 5C, 5F | 6.8 mi | north |
| Saint Regis | Canoe area | 18,994 | 6F | 7.5 mi | northwest |
| McKenzie Mountain | Wilderness | 37,366 | 5F | 13 mi | east |
| Kushaqua | Easement tract | 19,419 | 5C | 16 mi | north |
| High Peaks Wilderness Complex | Wilderness | 275,351 | 5F | 17 mi | southeast |
| Debar Mountain | Wild forest | 88,354 | 5C, 6F | 17 mi | north |
| Sentinel Range | Wilderness | 23,871 | 5F | 18 mi | east |
| Taylor Pond | Wild forest | 39,698 | 5C, 5F | 19 mi | northeast |
| Dead Creek | Primitive area | 1,154 | 6J | 20 mi | west |
| Santa Clara | Easement tract | 71,951 | 5C, 6F | 20 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest trip planning
From Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, Saranac Lake is 5.6 mi by straight line.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saranac Lake | Franklin | 5.6 mi | 4,856 | 129,641 |
| Paul Smiths | Franklin | 8.4 mi | – | 99,131 |
| Tupper Lake | Franklin | 12 mi | 3,308 | 63,369 |
| Lake Placid | Essex | 13 mi | 2,302 | 148,134 |
The county guide covering Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: Essex County, Franklin County.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: businesses close by
Licensed guides based in Franklin County: 15, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
Nearest DEC desks for Saranac Lakes Wild 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.
Local deer numbers for Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
In 2019, the final year DEC printed town totals, North Elba came in at 49 deer.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 adult bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Elba | Essex | 54 | 69 | 46 | 46 | 49 | 43 |
| Harrietstown | Franklin | 90 | 82 | 131 | 133 | 114 | 102 |
| Santa Clara | Franklin | 58 | 59 | 64 | 62 | 87 | 71 |
| Tupper Lake | Franklin | 102 | 6 | 74 | 76 | 75 | 67 |
| Brighton | Franklin | 34 | 34 | 30 | 23 | 32 | 31 |
Town bear take: North Elba 2021: 1, Harrietstown 2022: 1, Santa Clara 2020: 2, Santa Clara 2021: 3, Tupper Lake 2020: 8, Tupper Lake 2021: 4.
Franklin County as a whole recorded 2,760 deer in 2025.
| Year | Total | 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.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: nearest firing lines
It is about 7 miles from Saranac Lakes Wild Forest to Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club, the closest range on the list.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest shooting hours by key date
Big game legal light at Saranac Lakes Wild Forest brackets sunrise and sunset by 30 minutes; migratory birds open 30 minutes before sunrise and stop at sunset.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for big game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest in pictures
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest FAQ for 2026-27
When is bear season at Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Regular Season (Adirondacks): Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026.
How far is Saranac Lakes Wild Forest from a town?
Saranac Lake (5.6 mi).
May I hang a stand for the season on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Portable and labeled, never nailed or screwed in; remove it after the season.
What are the blaze orange rules at Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Firearm deer and bear hunters must wear orange or pink above the waist.
Can I hunt Saranac Lakes Wild Forest with just a hunting license?
Yes. It is open to licensed hunters in season, and the fee is free.
What size do the sources give Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Its size is 80,651 acres.
Which WMU rules apply on Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
WMU 5F; that puts it in the Northern Zone.
What deer season covers Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026, per the 2026-27 guide.
Is there an early bow season at Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
The first bow window is Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
Can I get antlerless permits for Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Not in 5F; DMPs are banned there by law.
Which animals are named for Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
The list names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare and small game.
What are the spring turkey dates for Saranac Lakes Wild Forest?
Spring season runs May 1 to May 31, 2027; hours end at noon.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: confirm these before you go
Print the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest map, carry your license and tags, and read the posted signs at the parking area.
Sources: DEC saranac lakes wild 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: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).