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Wild forest · Region 5
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wild forest in Essex County, 3,542 acres.
Photo: Adventure George (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Fort CassinParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Coon Mtn TrailheadParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 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.
Where Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest is and who runs it
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest sits in Essex County, filed as a Forest Preserve wild forest. Its towns are Westport and Essex. Region 5 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. 3,542 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 35 wild forests put it 29th. Unit plan on file: Split Rock.
The property page says: All of the lands are open to hunting. Hunters may use the parking areas , roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, boat launches and hand launches used by boaters and paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane. DEC releases pheasants in the field on the west of Clark Road near the intersection of Lake Shore Road before the before the Pheasant Youth Hunt Weekend and the …
From DEC split rock mountain wild forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest is Jay Mountain Wilderness, 16 mi away to the west. Combined: 163,510 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Mountain | Wilderness | 7,864 | 5F | 16 mi | west |
| Hurricane Mountain | Wilderness | 14,235 | 5F | 17 mi | west |
| Giant Mountain | Wilderness | 23,753 | 5F | 17 mi | west |
| Lake Champlain Islands Complex | Forest Preserve unit | 171 | 5G | 18 mi | north |
| Dix Mountain Tract | DEC state land | 45,208 | 5F | 18 mi | southwest |
| Putts Creek | WMA | 112 | 5G | 20 mi | south |
| Wickham Marsh | WMA | 716 | 5G | 20 mi | north |
| Hammond Pond | Wild forest | 46,850 | 5F, 5G | 23 mi | southwest |
| Ausable Marsh | WMA | 730 | 5G | 23 mi | north |
| Sentinel Range | Wilderness | 23,871 | 5F | 25 mi | west |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest regulations, plainly
Part 190 of 6 NYCRR, the Forest Preserve use rules, covers Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest:
- Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest is open to hunting and trapping in season, except where posted.
- No trees may be cut on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest, and nothing may be screwed or nailed into one.
- Backcountry camps sit at least 150 feet from trails, roads and water unless designated.
State law reminders for Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
- Fluorescent orange or pink (250 square inches above the waist, or a hat at least half orange or pink) is required for anyone hunting deer or bear with a gun.
- Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, farm building, school, playground or church without permission; bows 150 feet, crossbows 250 feet.
- No baiting for big game, upland birds, turkey or waterfowl, and no salt or mineral licks for deer or bear.
- New York allows hunting on Sundays in every county.
From DEC split rock mountain wild forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 5G facts for Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
The WMU map puts Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest in 5G; 5G spans 1,113 square miles of Essex, Warren and Washington. No Deer Management Permits exist for 5G. Adirondacks bear rules cover 5G. The fall turkey window for 5G is Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5G | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
Deer take in WMU 5G
5G yielded 1,742 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,445 | 1,024 |
| 2017 | 1,474 | 1,158 |
| 2018 | 1,724 | 1,242 |
| 2019 | 1,727 | 1,355 |
| 2020 | 1,767 | 1,257 |
| 2021 | 1,487 | 1,149 |
| 2022 | 1,742 | 1,236 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 5G came to 43.
DEC's bear plan for 5G reads "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.
Every season window on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
31 species have open dates on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest this license year; the table holds 44 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 5G | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 5G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 5G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 5G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 5G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 5G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMU 5G | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 5G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 5G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 5G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 5G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Lake Champlain Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Lake Champlain Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Lake Champlain goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain goose area | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 23, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain goose area | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Lake Champlain Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Hunting (Lake Champlain only) | Lake Champlain | Nov 1, 2026 | Apr 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.
Stocked pheasants at Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest is on the 2026 DEC pheasant stocking list with 406 birds over 3 stockings.
| Release site | Access | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Releases | Birds 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split Rock Wild Forest | Public – open access | Essex | 150 | Youth, regular | 3 | 406 |
| Week of | Birds |
|---|---|
| 09/21 | 86 |
| 09/28 | 104 |
| 10/12 | 113 |
| 10/26 | 103 |
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest game species
The source names ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest.
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC split rock mountain wild forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: parking and maps
Map download: Split Rock Wild Forest Map · DEC Maps for Google Earth · DECinfo Locator
Accessible facilities: From the Webb Royce Swamp Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Viewing platform The viewing area is approximately 700 feet from the parking area.
Parking points and maps from DEC split rock mountain wild forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Westport with 112 deer, 84 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westport | Essex | 136 | 169 | 159 | 130 | 112 | 84 |
| Essex | Essex | 62 | 51 | 41 | 53 | 54 | 41 |
Bears reported by town: Westport 1 in 2020; Westport 2 in 2021; Westport 2 in 2022; Essex 1 in 2021; Essex 2 in 2022.
Essex County deer, 2025: 1,788.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,436 | 1,167 | 252 |
| 2022 | 1,864 | 1,418 | 362 |
| 2023 | 1,559 | 1,302 | 203 |
| 2024 | 1,524 | 1,251 | 247 |
| 2025 | 1,788 | 1,418 | 275 |
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.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest; the game column adds the big game half hour and the bird column stops at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:46 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:20 a.m. | 5:59 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:58 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:22 a.m. | 4:17 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:17 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:30 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:48 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 7:57 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.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: nearby towns and services
Westport is the nearest town with its own page, 5.0 mi from Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westport | Essex | 5.0 mi | – | 7,113 |
| Willsboro | Essex | 8.8 mi | – | 6,599 |
| Elizabethtown | Essex | 11 mi | – | 54,213 |
| Mineville | Essex | 13 mi | – | 42,140 |
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest falls inside these county guides: Essex County.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: businesses close by
20 licensed guides are registered in Essex County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Split Rock Mountain 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.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: Chesterfield Fish & Game Club, roughly 19 miles. DEC has no firearm range, and no local public range is close.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest in pictures
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: short answers
How does access work on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest measure?
About 3,542 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
WMU 5G, in the Northern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
WMU 5G: regular Season Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
Bowhunting opens Sep 27, 2026 (WMU 5G).
What about DMPs on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
None: 5G is a no-DMP unit.
What game is found on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
Ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant top the list.
How long is spring turkey on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Adirondacks)).
When does waterfowl open at Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
It is in the Lake Champlain Zone; split one Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
Yes; DEC stocks it (406 birds this year).
Which town page is closest to Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest?
Westport, about 5.0 mi away.
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC split rock mountain wild forest · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Shiva Shenoy (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).