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State park · the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley
Southwick Beach State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
Seasons and access for hunting in Jefferson County: white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Southwick Beach State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Southwick Beach State Park
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Black Pond WMA ParkingParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 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.
Southwick Beach State Park: size, towns and manager
Listed as a state park with a hunting program, Southwick Beach State Park lies in Jefferson County. The DEC region is Region 6 (the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley). The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is in charge of access. It measures 484 acres, per NY State Parks Property layer. Size rank: 58th of 83 state parks.
From NYS Parks southwick beach state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Southwick Beach State Park
Southwick Beach State Park hunting calendar
Season windows for Southwick Beach State Park, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 6G and the Northeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6G | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMU 6G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6G | 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 | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6G | 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 Southwick Beach State Park
Park rules for hunters on Southwick Beach State Park come from 6 NYCRR 372.7(q):
- The park permit decides where, when and with what you may hunt on Southwick Beach State Park.
- Each permit names its own species, areas, implements and season dates.
- Permanent stands and blinds are banned; portable stands need permit approval and must not hurt the tree.
- Stay out of posted Restricted Areas and report your harvest if the park requests it.
New York rules that apply on Southwick Beach State Park 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 NYS Parks southwick beach state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
How hunting works at Southwick Beach State Park
Implements by species in the Southwick Beach State Park hunting areas:
| Species | Implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | All legal |
| Bear | All legal |
| Turkey (fall) | All legal |
| Furbearers | All legal |
| Small game | All legal |
What NYS Parks notes for Southwick Beach State Park
- Hunters must obtain a hunting permit from the Westcott Beach park office. Contact park office for additional information.
Park page lines on hunting: Hunting is permitted in season by permit only. Southwick Beach State Park is spacious and popular, known for outstanding swimming and sunning on its long sandy beach. Campers and day-users enjoy picnicking, hiking and games on the playing fields. The park is adjacent to the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area, home to the environmentally-sensitive coastal sand dunes. Park nature, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails adjoin the wildlife management area and its trail system, which visitors are encouraged to use. During the winter, snowmobilers are permitted in the park. Deer …
From NYS Parks: Online Hunting Permit Application
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Southwick Beach State Park
Boundary map file: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks southwick beach state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Southwick Beach State Park game species
5 game groups are named for Southwick Beach State Park; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Black bear
Oct 24–Dec 6
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Small game
Oct 1–Mar 21
Species from NYS Parks southwick beach state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 6G rules that reach Southwick Beach State Park
WMU 6G is the unit that counts for Southwick Beach State Park: Northern Zone, 933 square miles, in Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego. 21,000 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 6G (average success 12.8%; resident first DMP: high). Bear rules in 6G follow the Western Periphery area. 6G fall turkey season: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6G | Northern | 21,000 | 12.8% | high | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
6G: deer by season
The 6G deer take moved from 5,487 (2016) to 6,593 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,487 | 2,519 |
| 2017 | 5,581 | 2,882 |
| 2018 | 6,430 | 3,089 |
| 2019 | 6,476 | 3,353 |
| 2020 | 7,913 | 3,370 |
| 2021 | 6,341 | 3,128 |
| 2022 | 6,593 | 3,231 |
6G bear take by year: 2020 0; 2021 3; 2022 0; 2023 2; 2024 7; 2025 5.
6G 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.
Southwick Beach State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Around Southwick Beach State Park lie 10 more public tracts; Lakeview WMA is the closest (2.3 mi). Combined: 18,015 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeview | WMA | 3,444 | 6G | 2.3 mi | south |
| Black Pond | WMA | 551 | 6G | 2.6 mi | north |
| Henderson Shores | Unique area | 891 | 6G | 7.3 mi | northwest |
| Robert G. Wehle | State park | 1,088 | 6G | 8.2 mi | northwest |
| Westcott Beach | State park | 312 | 6G | 10 mi | northeast |
| Deer Creek Marsh | WMA | 1,771 | 6G | 11 mi | south |
| Winona | State forest | 9,234 | 6K, 6N | 12 mi | east |
| Sandy Creek | State forest | 538 | 6K | 13 mi | southeast |
| Honeyville | WMA | 111 | 6G | 13 mi | northeast |
| Lake Ontario Islands | WMA | 75 | 6G | 13 mi | northwest |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Southwick Beach State Park: nearby towns and services
Head to Belleville, 4.8 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleville | Jefferson | 4.8 mi | – | 12,437 |
| Lorraine | Jefferson | 12 mi | – | 34,980 |
| Pulaski | Oswego | 14 mi | 2,270 | 13,089 |
| Dexter | Jefferson | 19 mi | 1,011 | 8,371 |
County pages that list Southwick Beach State Park: Jefferson County.
Southwick Beach State Park: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 39 in Jefferson County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Southwick Beach 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.
Southwick Beach State Park: town and county harvest
Across Jefferson County, DEC counted 6,226 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,902 | 3,693 | 2,659 |
| 2022 | 7,410 | 3,860 | 2,634 |
| 2023 | 6,673 | 3,893 | 2,340 |
| 2024 | 6,871 | 3,930 | 2,436 |
| 2025 | 6,226 | 3,219 | 2,375 |
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.
Southwick Beach State Park: nearest firing lines
North Country Archery is the closest listed range to Southwick Beach State Park, about 8 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Southwick Beach State Park: 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 | 7:00 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:08 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:08 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:06 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:31 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:39 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:57 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:27 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.
Southwick Beach State Park in pictures
Southwick Beach State Park: short answers
What do I need to hunt Southwick Beach State Park?
Hunting is by NYS Parks permit, limited to designated areas.
Does the orange law apply on Southwick Beach State Park?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Southwick Beach State Park?
6G, a Northern Zone unit.
What does Southwick Beach State Park measure?
484 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Southwick Beach State Park?
Early Bowhunting: Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Southwick Beach State Park?
The regular Season runs Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
What species go with Southwick Beach State Park?
Named game: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, furbearers and small game.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Southwick Beach State Park?
21,000 DMPs are targeted for 6G, with 12.8% average success.
Is Southwick Beach State Park in a bear hunting area?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Western Periphery)).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Southwick Beach State Park?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
What does the park permit cover at Southwick Beach State Park?
Species, implements, hunting areas and dates.
How far is Southwick Beach State Park from a town?
Belleville is 4.8 mi away.
Southwick Beach State Park: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Southwick Beach State Park before the drive.
Sources: NYS Parks southwick beach 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: Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).