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State forest · central New York
What hunters need to know about Stave Mill State Forest
Rules, WMU 6K season dates, maps and neighbors for a state forest in Oswego County.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Stave Mill State Forest
What Stave Mill State Forest is
Stave Mill State Forest is a DEC state forest in Oswego County. The DEC page names Orwell as the town it falls in. It is a Region 7 property, in central New York. Size: 3,128 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 59 others of the 409 state forests are larger. Management direction comes from the Upper Salmon River unit plan.
From the DEC page for Stave Mill State Forest: The abundance of many game animals makes this a favorite spot for hunting. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse are commonly found throughout the property.
From DEC stave mill state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Stave Mill State Forest
Stave Mill State Forest hunting rules for 2026-27
The DEC rules for using state forest land, applied to Stave Mill State Forest:
- Cutting or damaging trees on Stave Mill State Forest is prohibited, which rules out screw-in steps and cleared lanes.
- A portable stand or blind that does not injure the tree may stay up during the season if it carries your name and address or license number, and it comes down when the season ends.
- Stave Mill State Forest is not a place to leave equipment: cameras and gear go home with you.
- Keep trucks on the maintained roads; an ATV needs a designated trail.
- A camping permit applies when the stay or group size calls for it.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Stave Mill State Forest
- 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 stave mill state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Stave Mill State Forest, and when
This calendar is cut down to Stave Mill State Forest: its WMU (6K), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6K | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6K | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6K | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6K | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMU 6K | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6K | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6K | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6K | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6K | 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 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6K | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6K | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6K | 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.
Stave Mill State Forest: WMU 6K numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 6K, 1,161 square miles in the Northern Zone covering parts of Oneida, Oswego and Lewis. For 6K, DEC aims to issue 6,500 DMPs in 2026; success averages 18.0% and residents' first-DMP odds are med. The bear area for 6K is Western Periphery. Fall turkey in 6K: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6K | Northern | 6,500 | 18.0% | med | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
Calculated deer take, 6K
In 2022, 6K produced 5,072 deer by DEC's estimate (3,960 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,960 | 2,358 |
| 2017 | 3,580 | 2,248 |
| 2018 | 4,271 | 2,530 |
| 2019 | 4,483 | 2,968 |
| 2020 | 5,300 | 2,854 |
| 2021 | 4,613 | 2,974 |
| 2022 | 5,072 | 2,892 |
Bear harvest in 6K for 2025 was 18, or 1.6 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 6K is to 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.
Stave Mill State Forest game species
Expect white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffed grouse on Stave Mill State Forest.
Species from DEC stave mill state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Stave Mill State Forest
DEC lists 1 parking or access point for Stave Mill State Forest.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| Route 17 Parking: 43.5877, -75.8481 | Get there |
Map in print form: Stave Mill State Forest Map · DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC stave mill state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Stave Mill State Forest and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Stave Mill State Forest, starting with Battle Hill State Forest. Combined: 23,606 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Hill | State forest | 1,730 | 6K, 6N | 1.8 mi | east |
| Salmon River | State forest | 2,764 | 6K, 6N | 2.6 mi | southeast |
| Hall Island | State forest | 2,120 | 6K | 3.9 mi | south |
| Chateaugay | State forest | 4,047 | 6K | 3.9 mi | west |
| Line Brook | State forest | 1,128 | 6N | 5.7 mi | east |
| O'Hara | State forest | 1,397 | 6K | 6.4 mi | southeast |
| Trout Brook | State forest | 626 | 6K | 6.5 mi | west |
| Little John | WMA | 7,921 | 6K, 6N | 6.8 mi | north |
| Lot 50 | Detached parcel | 124 | 6N | 6.8 mi | east |
| Lower Salmon River | State forest | 1,749 | 6K | 7.1 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Stave Mill State Forest
Orwell logged 139 deer in 2019; DEC stopped publishing town tables after that season.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orwell | Oswego | 145 | 210 | 179 | 91 | 139 | 89 |
Recent bear reports from the same towns: Orwell (2020) 1.
The 2025 deer take for Oswego County was 4,250.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,285 | 2,265 | 1,643 |
| 2022 | 4,776 | 2,571 | 1,655 |
| 2023 | 4,261 | 2,453 | 1,422 |
| 2024 | 4,497 | 2,592 | 1,519 |
| 2025 | 4,250 | 2,316 | 1,546 |
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.
Stave Mill State Forest: nearby towns and services
Altmar sits 8.3 mi from Stave Mill State Forest, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altmar | Oswego | 8.3 mi | – | 29,980 |
| Pulaski | Oswego | 13 mi | 2,270 | 13,089 |
| Lorraine | Jefferson | 13 mi | – | 34,980 |
| Camden | Oneida | 18 mi | 2,149 | 21,494 |
Open the county guide for Stave Mill State Forest: Oswego County.
Stave Mill State Forest: businesses close by
Oswego County is home to 42 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Stave Mill State Forest: 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.
Stave Mill State Forest: nearest firing lines
Mad River Club, 6 miles away, is the nearest range to Stave Mill State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Stave Mill State Forest: 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 Stave Mill State Forest 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 | 7:01 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:09 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:05 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:37 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:59 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:29 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:29 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.
Stave Mill State Forest in pictures
Stave Mill State Forest questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Stave Mill State Forest?
Archery runs Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 to start.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit for Stave Mill State Forest?
Yes: WMU 6K has a 2026 target of 6,500 DMPs, and resident first-permit odds are med.
What species go with Stave Mill State Forest?
You will find white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffed grouse on the list.
When does turkey season open on Stave Mill State Forest?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Stave Mill State Forest?
WMU 6K is open for bears Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
How far is Stave Mill State Forest from a town?
Altmar is 8.3 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Stave Mill State Forest?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Does the orange law apply on Stave Mill State Forest?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
Is Stave Mill State Forest open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Stave Mill State Forest measure?
The record lists 3,128 acres.
What zone and WMU is Stave Mill State Forest?
The DEC WMU layer gives 6K (Northern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Stave Mill State Forest?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 6K.
Stave Mill State Forest: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Stave Mill State Forest.
Sources: DEC stave mill state 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: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).