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State park · 2026-27
Sterling Forest State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state park in Orange County, 19,487 acres.
Photo: LukeGordon1 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Sterling Forest State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Sterling Forest State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 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 Sterling Forest State Park is and who runs it
Sterling Forest State Park sits in Orange County, filed as a state park with a hunting program. Region 3 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the lower Hudson Valley. It is managed by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 19,487 acres are on record from NY State Parks Property layer. Sorted by acreage, the 83 state parks put it 4th.
From NYS Parks sterling forest state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Sterling Forest State Park
Sterling Forest State Park pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Sterling Forest State Park is Harriman State Park, 6.5 mi away to the northeast. Combined: 81,746 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harriman | State park | 48,911 | 3P, 3R | 6.5 mi | northeast |
| Schunnemunk | State park | 4,454 | 3M | 14 mi | northeast |
| Pochuck | State forest | 506 | 3M | 14 mi | west |
| West Point | Army post | 15,386 | 3P | 15 mi | northeast |
| Wallkill River | Wildlife refuge | 323 | 3M | 16 mi | west |
| Storm King | State park | 1,908 | 3P | 18 mi | northeast |
| Stewart | State forest | 6,653 | 3M | 19 mi | north |
| Highland Lakes | State park | 3,123 | 3M | 20 mi | north |
| Salt Hill | State forest | 271 | 3S | 20 mi | east |
| New Croton | Watershed unit | 211 | 3S | 21 mi | east |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Sterling Forest State Park regulations, plainly
Hunters on Sterling Forest State Park follow the NYS Parks statewide hunting regulations:
- Permit first, then the designated areas: that is how hunting on Sterling Forest State Park works.
- Implements, dates, species and areas are printed on the permit.
- Only portable stands the permit allows, set without tree damage; no permanent blinds.
- No hunting in posted Restricted Areas; harvest reports go to the park on request.
State law reminders for Sterling Forest State Park
- 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 NYS Parks sterling forest state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Sterling Forest State Park hunting areas, species and implements
The park layer pairs each species on Sterling Forest State Park with legal implements.
| Game | Allowed implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | All legal, Archery |
| Bear | All legal, Archery |
| Turkey (fall) | All legal, Archery |
| Turkey (spring) | All legal, Archery |
| Waterfowl | All legal |
| Migratory game birds | All legal |
| Furbearers | Archery |
| Small game | All legal, Archery |
DEC's park table shows a permit requirement. Park phone: (845) 351-5907.
Sterling Forest State Park hunting area notes
- NYS DEC hunting license and park permit ($5) fee are required to hunt big and small game, and turkey. No September hunting. Contact park office for additional information.
NYS Parks writes: Hunting (With Park Permit): Big game, small game, turkey hunting allowed. Hunting (Big & small game, turkey) Sterling Forest State Park comprises 21,935.08 acres of nearly pristine natural refuge amidst of one of the nation's most densely populated areas, a remarkable piece of woodland, a watershed for millions, and a tremendous outdoor recreation area. This unbroken deep-forest habitat is important for the survival of many resident and migratory species, including black bear, a variety of hawks and songbirds, and many rare invertebrates and plants. Hunting, fishing and hiking opportunities …
Park hunting files: State hunting regulations · 2026-2027 Hunting Application
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3P facts for Sterling Forest State Park
The WMU map puts Sterling Forest State Park in 3P, with 3R also overlapping; 3P spans 125 square miles of Orange and Rockland. 3P has unlimited Deer Management Permits in 2026. Southern Zone bear rules cover 3P. The fall turkey window for 3P is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3P | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 5.2% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 3R | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 7.3% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 3P
3P yielded 333 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 275 | 180 |
| 2017 | 270 | 189 |
| 2018 | 254 | 186 |
| 2019 | 325 | 231 |
| 2020 | 352 | 188 |
| 2021 | 269 | 177 |
| 2022 | 333 | 204 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 3P came to 9.
DEC's bear plan for 3P reads "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.
Every season window on Sterling Forest State Park
32 species have open dates on Sterling Forest State Park this license year; the table holds 50 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 3P, 3R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3P, 3R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMUs 3P, 3R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMUs 3P, 3R | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMUs 3P, 3R | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3P, 3R | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 3P, 3R | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 3P, 3R | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Orange and Putnam | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | 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 3P, 3R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 3P, 3R | 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.
Ducks and geese at Sterling Forest State Park
DEC lists Sterling Forest State Park among its places to hunt waterfowl. Use the Southeastern zone duck calendar. Canada goose dates: South area.
| Map entry | Owner | Type | Special rules? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Forest State Park | NYSOPRHP | State Park | Yes |
Listed note: See State Park webpage for current rules and access information. Some parks may only allow boat access to public waterways.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Sterling Forest State Park game species
The source names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and ducks and geese and more on Sterling Forest State Park.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Migratory game birds
Oct 10–Oct 18
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from NYS Parks sterling forest state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Sterling Forest State Park: parking and maps
Map download: Sterling Forest Hunting Map · Hunting Information w/ Map · Sterling Forest State Park Hunting Map · Hunting Information w/Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks sterling forest state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Sterling Forest State Park: town and county harvest
Orange County deer, 2025: 4,926.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,369 | 2,062 | 1,883 |
| 2022 | 4,738 | 2,217 | 2,057 |
| 2023 | 4,237 | 2,181 | 1,654 |
| 2024 | 4,753 | 2,581 | 1,725 |
| 2025 | 4,926 | 2,493 | 1,906 |
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.
Sterling Forest State Park hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Sterling Forest State Park; 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 | 6:48 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 | 7:18 a.m. | 6:05 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:52 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:15 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:23 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:55 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 5:25 a.m. to 8:23 p.m. | 5:25 a.m. to 7:53 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.
Sterling Forest State Park: nearby towns and services
New City is the nearest town with its own page, 14 mi from Sterling Forest State Park.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New City | Rockland | 14 mi | – | 333 |
| Goshen | Orange | 14 mi | 5,760 | 2,756 |
| Unionville | Orange | 18 mi | 632 | 3,113 |
| Maybrook | Orange | 19 mi | 3,141 | 6,618 |
Sterling Forest State Park falls inside these county guides: Orange County.
Sterling Forest State Park: businesses close by
16 licensed guides are registered in Orange County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Sterling Forest 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.
Nearest public range for Sterling Forest State Park hunters
From Sterling Forest State Park, Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range is the nearest DEC or government-run range (28 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Sterling Forest State Park in pictures
Sterling Forest State Park: short answers
How does access work on Sterling Forest State Park?
Get the regional hunting permit for this park; it lists areas, species and dates.
What does Sterling Forest State Park measure?
About 19,487 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Sterling Forest State Park?
WMU 3P (also 3R), in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Sterling Forest State Park?
WMUs 3P, 3R: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Sterling Forest State Park?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMUs 3P, 3R).
What game is found on Sterling Forest State Park?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ducks and geese, migratory game birds and furbearers top the list.
How long is spring turkey on Sterling Forest State Park?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Sterling Forest State Park?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When does waterfowl open at Sterling Forest State Park?
It is in the Southeastern Zone; split one Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026.
Which town page is closest to Sterling Forest State Park?
New City, about 14 mi away.
Can I hunt anywhere in Sterling Forest State Park?
No, only the designated hunting areas.
What colors are required at Sterling Forest State Park in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
Sterling Forest State Park: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Sterling Forest State Park, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: NYS Parks sterling forest state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting · DEC GIS; 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); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); LukeGordon1 (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).