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What hunters need to know about Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Rules, WMU 7F season dates, maps and neighbors for a wma in Onondaga County.
Photo: MTBradley (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 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.
What Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA is
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area is a DEC wildlife management area in Onondaga County. The DEC page names Clay as the town it falls in. It is a Region 7 property, in central New York. Size: 1,668 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 33 others of the 119 WMAs are larger.
From the DEC page for Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: White-tailed deer, waterfowl and a variety of small game species offer ample hunting opportunities.
From DEC stanley j hamlin marsh wildlife manage; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA hunting rules for 2026-27
As a DEC wildlife area, Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA carries the Part 51 restrictions:
- Unless signs say otherwise, target shooting is off limits on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA.
- Overnight camping requires a written DEC permit.
- No off-road motor vehicles unless DEC permits or posts it.
- DEC prohibits cutting vegetation and building permanent stands or blinds here.
- Gear left on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA at day end, trail cameras included, breaks the rules; a stand labeled with your name and address or DEC ID may stay overnight until the season closes.
- Respect "No Trespassing" postings; entry needs DEC approval in writing.
- No overnight boat mooring; fires only to cook or keep warm.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA
- In firearm deer and bear seasons, wear the required orange or pink above the waist.
- Setbacks from occupied buildings: firearm 500 feet, crossbow 250 feet, bow 150 feet.
- Do not hunt over bait; New York bans it for big game, turkey, upland birds and waterfowl.
- Sunday hunting is legal everywhere in New York unless a property rule says otherwise.
From DEC stanley j hamlin marsh wildlife manage, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA, and when
This calendar is cut down to Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: its WMU (7F), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 7F | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 7F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 7F | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 7F | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 7F | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 7F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 7F | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 7F | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 7F | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 7F | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 7F | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 7F | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 7F | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Western Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Western Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Western Zone | Dec 22, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September season | West Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | West Central goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Western Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Western Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Western Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Western Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 7F | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 7F | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 7F | 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.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: WMU 7F numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 7F, 687 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Onondaga, Cayuga and Madison. There is no cap on DMPs in 7F in 2026. The bear area for 7F is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 7F: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7F | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 8.2% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 7F
In 2022, 7F produced 3,681 deer by DEC's estimate (3,970 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,970 | 1,552 |
| 2017 | 3,398 | 1,574 |
| 2018 | 3,959 | 1,711 |
| 2019 | 3,503 | 1,717 |
| 2020 | 3,790 | 1,593 |
| 2021 | 3,210 | 1,530 |
| 2022 | 3,681 | 1,625 |
The bear objective DEC lists for 7F is to maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA game species
Expect white-tailed deer, ducks and geese and small game on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA.
Species from DEC stanley j hamlin marsh wildlife manage; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Waterfowl hunting on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA
DEC's map of waterfowl hunting places shows Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA. The duck zone here is Western. For Canada geese it is in the West Central area.
| Name on the map | Owner | Type | Extra rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley J Hamlin Marsh WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | No |
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Maps and parking around Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA
DEC lists 5 parking or access points for Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Henry Clay Boulevard: 43.1569, -76.1931 | Get there |
| Old Wetzel Road: 43.1497, -76.1745 | Get there |
| Bear Road: 43.1416, -76.1520 | Get there |
| Davis Road: 43.1474, -76.1362 | Get there |
| Henry Clay Boulevard: 43.1693, -76.1962 | Get there |
Map in print form: Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA Map
DEC accessible recreation note: From the Henry Clay Boulevard Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Viewing platform
Parking points and maps from DEC stanley j hamlin marsh wildlife manage; checked October 27, 2026.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA, starting with Cicero Swamp WMA. Combined: 17,083 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero Swamp | WMA | 5,039 | 7F | 6.8 mi | east |
| Camillus Forest | Unique area | 340 | 7F | 8.6 mi | southwest |
| Peter Scott Swamp | WMA | 403 | 7A | 8.7 mi | northwest |
| Three Rivers | WMA | 3,608 | 7A, 7F | 8.7 mi | west |
| Three Mile Bay | WMA | 3,966 | 7F | 8.8 mi | northeast |
| Oneida Lake Islands | WMA | – | 7F | 12 mi | east |
| Green Lakes | State park | 2,211 | 7F | 13 mi | southeast |
| Cross Lake Islands | WMA | 27 | 7F | 15 mi | west |
| Klondike | State forest | 868 | 6K | 17 mi | northeast |
| Stone Barn | State forest | 621 | 6K | 18 mi | northeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA
Clay logged 152 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | Onondaga | 119 | 190 | 138 | 153 | 152 | 71 |
The 2025 deer take for Onondaga County was 4,259.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,767 | 1,746 | 1,609 |
| 2022 | 4,245 | 1,894 | 1,739 |
| 2023 | 3,864 | 1,949 | 1,418 |
| 2024 | 4,002 | 2,118 | 1,426 |
| 2025 | 4,259 | 2,080 | 1,768 |
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.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: nearby towns and services
North Syracuse sits 2.2 mi from Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Syracuse | Onondaga | 2.2 mi | 6,761 | 11,110 |
| Radisson | Onondaga | 7.1 mi | – | 5,705 |
| Syracuse | Onondaga | 7.9 mi | 146,097 | 6,332 |
| Bridgeport | Madison | 10 mi | – | 9,863 |
Open the county guide for Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: Onondaga County.
Where Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA hunters buy shells and drop off deer
Onondaga County is home to 31 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: the nearest DEC offices
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.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
DU gun raffle and sportsman show: 2 upcoming events, on site or a few miles off.
Still ahead
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22–24, 2027 | New York Sportsman's Expo 2027 · sportsman show | 8 | Exposition Center Syracuse | Event details | Source |
| Jan 29, 2027 | Region 6-90th Anniversary BENELLI BONANZA · DU gun raffle | 4 | Liverpool | Get tickets | Source |
Where Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area hunters can shoot
Syracuse Pistol Club, 3 miles away, is the nearest range to Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: first and last legal light
The DEC guide prints sunrise and sunset for Albany only. The times here are worked out for the centre of Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:10 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:28 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:36 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:00 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 5:30 a.m. to 8:34 p.m. | 5:30 a.m. to 8:04 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.
The look of Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA country
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
Is Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA known for deer, birds or waterfowl?
You will find white-tailed deer, ducks and geese and small game on the list.
When does turkey season open on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
WMU 7F is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Can I hunt ducks on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
Duck split one runs Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 (Western Zone).
What town should I base out of for Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
North Syracuse is 2.2 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
When must I wear orange on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What acreage is on file for Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
The record lists 1,668 acres.
What zone and WMU is Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
The DEC WMU layer gives 7F (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 7F.
Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh WMA.
Sources: DEC stanley j hamlin marsh wildlife manage · 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: Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).