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State park · 2026-27
Schunnemunk State Park hunting rules, seasons and access
State park of 4,454 acres in Orange County, hunted under WMU 3M dates, for white-tailed deer.
Photo: fran.trudeau (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Schunnemunk State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Schunnemunk State Park
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 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.
Schunnemunk State Park at a glance
Hunters find Schunnemunk State Park, a state park with a hunting program, in Orange County. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 3, which spans the lower Hudson Valley. Hunting here is overseen by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The acreage used here is 4,454, taken from NY State Parks Property layer. It is number 10 by size out of 83 state parks.
From NYS Parks schunnemunk state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Schunnemunk State Park
Schunnemunk State Park: access and site rules
NYS Parks allows hunting on Schunnemunk State Park under 6 NYCRR 372.7(q) and the OPRHP statewide hunting regulations:
- Hunting on Schunnemunk State Park happens only in designated park hunting areas and needs the park's regional hunting permit.
- The permit sets the species, areas, implements and dates.
- Leave permanent blinds and stands at home; portable ones need the permit's OK.
- Restricted Areas are posted and closed; parks may ask you to report take.
Laws every Schunnemunk State Park 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 NYS Parks schunnemunk state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Park hunting areas and permits at Schunnemunk State Park
The NYS Parks hunting areas layer lists these species and implements for Schunnemunk State Park.
| Species | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow, Handgun, Muzzleloader, Rifle, Shotgun |
Notes in the park layer for Schunnemunk State Park
- Deer hunting only. Archery, rifle, shotgun, handgun, crossbow, muzzleloader. No September hunting. Contact park office for additional information.
Quoted from the park page: Schunnemunk State Park offers deer hunting only. All hunting permits for the 2026 season have been purchased.
Permit and rules links: 2026 Hunting Application · 2026 Deer Hunting Terms and Conditions · Schunnemunk State Park Hunting Permit Terms & Conditions
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Schunnemunk State Park: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Schunnemunk State Park (3M); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 3M | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMU 3M | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3M | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3M | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3M | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3M | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Orange and Putnam | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Southeastern Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Southeastern Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Hudson Valley goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Hudson Valley goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Southeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Southeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3M | 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.
Schunnemunk State Park and WMU 3M: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Schunnemunk State Park is WMU 3M ground (Southern Zone, 749 sq. mi. across Orange, Ulster and Sullivan). DEC lists 3M as unlimited for DMPs this year. Bear area: Southern Zone. Fall turkey here: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 7.9% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 3M deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 3M 4,887 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6,781 | 2,880 |
| 2017 | 6,123 | 2,553 |
| 2018 | 6,501 | 2,837 |
| 2019 | 6,323 | 3,024 |
| 2020 | 6,013 | 2,546 |
| 2021 | 4,510 | 2,023 |
| 2022 | 4,887 | 2,199 |
Recent bear numbers for 3M: 2022: 90, 2023: 66, 2024: 92, 2025: 93.
Objective for bears in 3M: reduce 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.
Schunnemunk State Park: species list
Game listed for Schunnemunk State Park: white-tailed deer.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Species from NYS Parks schunnemunk state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Schunnemunk State Park access points
Official map sheet: 2026 Hunting Map · Schunnemunk Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks schunnemunk state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Schunnemunk State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Schunnemunk State Park and 10 neighbors; West Point sits 5.0 mi off. The tracts listed total 121,149 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Point | Army post | 15,386 | 3P | 5.0 mi | southeast |
| Storm King | State park | 1,908 | 3P | 5.6 mi | east |
| Stewart | State forest | 6,653 | 3M | 7.2 mi | northwest |
| Harriman | State park | 48,911 | 3P, 3R | 9.4 mi | south |
| Hudson Highlands State Park | State park | 9,779 | 3N | 10 mi | northeast |
| Highland Lakes | State park | 3,123 | 3M | 13 mi | northwest |
| Clarence Fahnestock Memorial | State park | 15,537 | 3N | 13 mi | east |
| Baxtertown Woods | WMA | 248 | 3F | 14 mi | northeast |
| Sterling Forest | State park | 19,487 | 3P, 3R | 14 mi | southwest |
| Taconic | Watershed unit | 117 | 3N | 17 mi | northeast |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Schunnemunk State Park
DEC puts the 2025 Orange County deer take at 4,926.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,369 | 2,062 | 1,883 |
| 2022 | 4,738 | 2,217 | 2,057 |
| 2023 | 4,237 | 2,181 | 1,654 |
| 2024 | 4,753 | 2,581 | 1,725 |
| 2025 | 4,926 | 2,493 | 1,906 |
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.
Schunnemunk State Park: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Maybrook, about 8.3 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maybrook | Orange | 8.3 mi | 3,141 | 6,618 |
| Goshen | Orange | 11 mi | 5,760 | 2,756 |
| Wallkill | Ulster | 15 mi | – | 7,399 |
| New City | Rockland | 18 mi | – | 333 |
Season tables by county for Schunnemunk State Park: Orange County.
Schunnemunk State Park: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 16 licensed guides in Orange County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Schunnemunk State Park
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.
Nearest public range for Schunnemunk State Park hunters
Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range, 36 miles off, is the public range nearest Schunnemunk State Park. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Schunnemunk State Park 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 Schunnemunk State Park.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:48 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:52 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:18 a.m. | 6:05 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:52 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:15 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:23 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:55 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 5:25 a.m. to 8:23 p.m. | 5:25 a.m. to 7:53 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.
Schunnemunk State Park in pictures
Answers on Schunnemunk State Park access and seasons
How far is Schunnemunk State Park from a town?
Maybrook, about 8.3 mi away.
When is bear season at Schunnemunk State Park?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 3M).
Do I need orange or pink on Schunnemunk State Park?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a qualifying hat.
Which parts of Schunnemunk State Park are open?
Only the mapped hunting areas; restricted areas are posted.
How does access work on Schunnemunk State Park?
A park permit is needed, and only the hunting areas are open.
What hours apply on Schunnemunk State Park?
Sunrise minus 30 minutes for big game; the hours table above has local times.
Which WMU rules apply on Schunnemunk State Park?
Southern Zone, WMU 3M.
Is Schunnemunk State Park a large property?
4,454 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Schunnemunk State Park?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Schunnemunk State Park?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When is spring turkey season at Schunnemunk State Park?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
What game does the source list for Schunnemunk State Park?
White-tailed deer.
Schunnemunk State Park: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Schunnemunk State Park can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: NYS Parks schunnemunk state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa; 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); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0).