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Wild forest · the lower Hudson Valley
Hunting Shandaken Wild Forest
Seasons and access for hunting in Ulster County and 1 more: white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: pedrik (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Shandaken Wild Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Shandaken Wild Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Fox Hollow Trailhead ParkingParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 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.
Shandaken Wild Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a Forest Preserve wild forest, Shandaken Wild Forest lies in Greene and Ulster counties. On the ground it lies within Lexington and Shandaken. The DEC region is Region 3 (the lower Hudson Valley). It measures 6,114 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 26th of 35 wild forests. DEC groups it in the Shandaken planning unit.
In DEC's words: Wildlife Management Unit : 3A and 4R Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons, except where specifically prohibited by posted notice. The main game species found on the property include white tailed deer, black bear, snowshoe hare, wild turkey and grey squirrel. The main furbearers found on the property include beaver, bobcat, coyote, and fisher.
From DEC shandaken wild forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Shandaken Wild Forest
Shandaken Wild Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Shandaken Wild Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 3A, 4R and the Southeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 3A, 4R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMUs 3A, 4R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 3A, 4R | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 3A, 4R | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | 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 | South goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | South goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 11, 2027 | |
| 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 | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 4R | 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.
How you may hunt Shandaken Wild Forest
Shandaken Wild Forest is Forest Preserve land under the State Land Use Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 190):
- Open seasons apply on Shandaken Wild Forest; only posted spots are closed.
- Leave trees on Shandaken Wild Forest untouched by saws, nails and screws.
- A designated campsite or a spot 150 feet off roads, trails and water is required.
New York rules that apply on Shandaken Wild 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 shandaken wild forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Shandaken Wild Forest
Shandaken Wild Forest has 3 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| Rochester Hollow Parking Area is located at the end of Matyas Road 0.2 miles northeast of its intersection with NYS Route 28: 42.1165, -74.4524 | Directions |
| Lower Birch Creek Road Parking Area is located near the hamlet of Pine Hill. From Kingston, take Route 28. Turn right on Birch Creek Road located just past the Mobil Mini Mart, but prior to the Route 28 bridge where the road turns to three lanes. Follow Birch Creek Road for about a mile then turn right onto Lower Birch Creek Road. Follow to the end: 42.1588, -74.4453 | Directions |
| Route 28 East of the Allaben Cemetery Parking Area is located off of NYS Route 28 across from the Allaben Cemetery: 42.1080, -74.3482 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Shandaken Wild Forest Map · Giggle Hollow Parcel Trail Network
Wheelchair access, per DEC: From the Allaben Primitive Camping Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Two roadside primitive campsites; and Portable toilet (seasonal) The campsites have a picnic table and fire ring with a portable toilet nearby. From the Lower Birch Creek Road Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Fishing/viewing platform; Picnic area; and Portable toilet …
Parking points and maps from DEC shandaken wild forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Shandaken Wild Forest game species
7 game groups are named for Shandaken Wild Forest; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC shandaken wild forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3A rules that reach Shandaken Wild Forest
WMU 3A is the unit that counts for Shandaken Wild Forest: Southern Zone, 694 square miles, in Ulster, Greene and Sullivan. The DMP table gives 3A 175 permits in 2026 and rates resident odds "LO/DV". Antler restrictions cover 3A, so a legal buck has 3 points on a side. Bear rules in 3A follow the Southern Zone area. 3A fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3A | Southern | 175 | – | LO/DV | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 4R | Southern | 1,900 | 16.8% | high | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3A: deer by season
The 3A deer take moved from 774 (2016) to 915 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 774 | 652 |
| 2017 | 803 | 662 |
| 2018 | 912 | 775 |
| 2019 | 897 | 749 |
| 2020 | 1,077 | 893 |
| 2021 | 935 | 812 |
| 2022 | 915 | 715 |
3A bear take by year: 2020 80; 2021 101; 2022 58; 2023 70; 2024 56; 2025 95.
3A bear objective: 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.
Shandaken Wild Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Shandaken Wild Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Broadstreet Hollow DEP unit is the closest (1.0 mi). Combined: 25,849 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadstreet Hollow | Watershed unit | 58 | 3A | 1.0 mi | south |
| Peck Hollow | Watershed unit | 72 | 3A | 1.6 mi | southwest |
| Shandaken | Watershed unit | 43 | 3A | 2.0 mi | southwest |
| Allaben | Watershed unit | 15 | 3A | 2.4 mi | south |
| Hunter-West Kill | Wilderness | 24,549 | 3A | 3.0 mi | northeast |
| Herdman Road | Watershed unit | 18 | 3A | 3.1 mi | south |
| Sheridan Mountain | Watershed unit | 108 | 3A | 3.4 mi | south |
| Chichester | Watershed unit | 104 | 3A | 4.0 mi | southeast |
| Tumbleweed | Watershed unit | 29 | 3A | 4.2 mi | north |
| Balsam Mountain | Watershed unit | 853 | 3A | 4.2 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Shandaken Wild Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Phoenicia, 4.5 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenicia | Ulster | 4.5 mi | – | 109,393 |
| West Kill | Greene | 5.5 mi | – | 54,676 |
| Pine Hill | Ulster | 6.1 mi | – | 86,733 |
| Hunter | Greene | 8.6 mi | 409 | 79,112 |
County pages that list Shandaken Wild Forest: Greene County, Ulster County.
Shandaken Wild Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 25 in Ulster County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Shandaken 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.
Shandaken Wild Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Lexington reached 117 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | Greene | 93 | 127 | 122 | 108 | 117 | 98 |
| Shandaken | Ulster | 110 | 74 | 87 | 126 | 105 | 90 |
Black bears by town: Lexington, 2020, 8; Lexington, 2021, 3; Lexington, 2022, 5; Shandaken, 2020, 14; Shandaken, 2021, 20; Shandaken, 2022, 12.
Across Ulster County, DEC counted 3,423 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,647 | 1,633 | 857 |
| 2022 | 3,423 | 2,081 | 1,110 |
| 2023 | 3,062 | 2,049 | 825 |
| 2024 | 3,565 | 2,190 | 1,114 |
| 2025 | 3,423 | 2,083 | 1,062 |
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.
Shandaken Wild Forest: nearest firing lines
It is about 41 miles from Shandaken Wild Forest to Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range, the closest public range. Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Shandaken Wild 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 | 6:48 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 | 7:19 a.m. | 6:04 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:34 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:54 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:17 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:25 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:54 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:24 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. | 5:24 a.m. to 7:54 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.
Shandaken Wild Forest in pictures
Shandaken Wild Forest: short answers
What do I need to hunt Shandaken Wild Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
Does the orange law apply on Shandaken Wild Forest?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Shandaken Wild Forest?
3A, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Shandaken Wild Forest measure?
6,114 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Shandaken Wild Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Shandaken Wild Forest?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
What species go with Shandaken Wild Forest?
Named game: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, rabbit and hare, squirrel and coyote.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Shandaken Wild Forest?
175 DMPs are targeted for 3A, with None average success.
Is Shandaken Wild Forest in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Shandaken Wild Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
Are tree stands allowed on Shandaken Wild Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
How far is Shandaken Wild Forest from a town?
Phoenicia is 4.5 mi away.
Shandaken Wild Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Shandaken Wild Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC shandaken 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: Russ (CC BY 2.0); DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).