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State forest · 2026-27
Sugar Hill State Forest hunting rules, seasons and access
State forest of 9,213 acres in Schuyler County, hunted under WMU 8W dates, for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ducks and geese.
Photo: Dougtone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Sugar Hill State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Sugar Hill State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 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 · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 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.
Sugar Hill State Forest at a glance
Hunters find Sugar Hill State Forest, a DEC state forest, in Schuyler County. DEC places it in the towns of Reading, Orange, Tyrone and Dix. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 8, which spans the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley. The acreage used here is 9,213, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 9 by size out of 409 state forests. DEC plans it under the Six Nations unit management plan.
Hunting section, quoted: Sugar Hill State Forest offers both small and big game hunting opportunities. White-tailed deer is the primary big game species. Small game include wild turkey, ruffed grouse, pheasant, woodcock, squirrels, cottontail rabbit, and waterfowl. Permanent tree stands and any equipment that damages trees are prohibited.
From DEC sugar hill state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Sugar Hill State Forest
Sugar Hill State Forest: access and site rules
These state land rules from DEC cover Sugar Hill State Forest:
- Trees on Sugar Hill State Forest stay unharmed, so no hardware, no cleared shooting lanes and no blinds built from brush.
- Your stand may remain in place for the season on Sugar Hill State Forest as long as it is tag-marked with your details and harms no tree.
- Trail cameras and other gear may not be left on Sugar Hill State Forest as storage.
- Motor vehicles stay on maintained roads, and ATVs need a designated route.
- Camping needs a DEC permit where the rules require one.
Laws every Sugar Hill State Forest hunter carries in
- Gun hunters after deer or bear wear orange or pink: 250 square inches above the waist or a mostly orange or pink hat.
- The discharge setback is 500 feet for guns, 250 feet for crossbows and 150 feet for bows from homes, farm buildings, schools and churches.
- Hunting over bait is illegal; scents and lures are allowed.
- There is no Sunday ban in New York; some parks set their own.
From DEC sugar hill state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Sugar Hill State Forest: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Sugar Hill State Forest (8W); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8W | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8W | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8W | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8W | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8W | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8W | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8W | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 8W | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8W | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8W | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8W | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8W | 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 | 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 | 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 8W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8W | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8W | 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.
Sugar Hill State Forest and WMU 8W: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Sugar Hill State Forest is WMU 8W ground (Southern Zone, 440 sq. mi. across Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung). The 2026 DMP target in 8W is 8,000, with 19.2% average success and high odds for a resident first permit. Bear area: Southern Zone. Fall turkey here: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8W | Southern | 8,000 | 19.2% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 8W deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 8W 3,174 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,968 | 1,200 |
| 2017 | 2,048 | 1,360 |
| 2018 | 2,395 | 1,372 |
| 2019 | 2,378 | 1,573 |
| 2020 | 3,193 | 1,724 |
| 2021 | 2,918 | 1,644 |
| 2022 | 3,174 | 1,780 |
Recent bear numbers for 8W: 2022: 11, 2023: 4, 2024: 8, 2025: 16.
Objective for bears in 8W: 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.
Sugar Hill State Forest: species list
Hunters come to Sugar Hill State Forest for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ducks and geese above all.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Feb 28
Ruffed grouse
Oct 1–Feb 28
Woodcock
Oct 1–Nov 14
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Feb 28
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC sugar hill state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Sugar Hill State Forest access points
The DEC directions name 2 places to leave a truck at Sugar Hill State Forest.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Sugar Hill Rec Area Parking Lot – From Schuyler County Route 23, go south on Tower Hill Road, from Schuyler CR 16 go north on CR 21, then west on Tower Hill Road. The entrance is on the south side of Tower Hill Road: 42.3905, -77.0033 | Navigate |
| Lower Evergreen Hill Rec Area Parking Lot – From Schuyler CR 23 go south on CR 21 then west on CR 16 then north on Evergreen Hill Road. The entrance is on the west side of Tower Hill Road: 42.3301, -77.0232 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Sugar Hill Map North · Sugar Hill Map South
Open Sugar Hill State Forest in DECinfo Locator
Accessible features (DEC): From the Sugar Hill Recreation Area Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Picnic area; Primitive campsite; Equestrian mounting platform; and Restroom The picnic area is approx. 50 feet from the parking area. The campsite is one of the 26 campsites in a nine-acre open field for camping with restrooms. The campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. From the …
Parking points and maps from DEC sugar hill state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Sugar Hill State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Sugar Hill State Forest and 10 neighbors; Coon Hollow State Forest sits 3.7 mi off. The tracts listed total 15,289 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coon Hollow | State forest | 2,496 | 8W | 3.7 mi | south |
| Goundry Hill | State forest | 2,107 | 8W | 4.8 mi | southwest |
| Waneta-Lamoka | WMA | 160 | 8R, 8W | 5.7 mi | northwest |
| Cinnamon Lake | State forest | 1,772 | 8W | 5.8 mi | south |
| Beaver Dams State Forest, | State forest | 532 | 8W | 6.3 mi | south |
| Watkins Glen | State park | 794 | 8W | 6.3 mi | east |
| South Bradford | State forest | 1,818 | 8W | 7.1 mi | southwest |
| Birdseye Hollow | State forest | 3,496 | 8W | 7.6 mi | west |
| Dry Run | State forest | 1,330 | 8W | 7.6 mi | southwest |
| Catharine Creek | WMA | 784 | 8S | 8.1 mi | east |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Sugar Hill State Forest
The town of Reading, where Sugar Hill State Forest lies, produced 313 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Schuyler | 310 | 361 | 238 | 401 | 313 | 99 |
| Orange | Schuyler | 285 | 278 | 291 | 328 | 381 | 217 |
| Tyrone | Schuyler | 646 | 565 | 486 | 630 | 580 | 228 |
| Dix | Schuyler | 195 | 177 | 170 | 183 | 237 | 139 |
DEC bear tables list 1 for Reading (2020), 1 for Reading (2021), 1 for Orange (2020), 1 for Orange (2022), 2 for Dix (2020).
DEC puts the 2025 Schuyler County deer take at 3,819.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,274 | 1,440 | 1,428 |
| 2022 | 3,479 | 1,535 | 1,423 |
| 2023 | 3,504 | 1,618 | 1,371 |
| 2024 | 3,723 | 1,702 | 1,509 |
| 2025 | 3,819 | 1,840 | 1,605 |
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.
Sugar Hill State Forest: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Watkins Glen, about 7.3 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watkins Glen | Schuyler | 7.3 mi | 1,746 | 29,050 |
| Montour Falls | Schuyler | 8.2 mi | 1,527 | 29,604 |
| Burdett | Schuyler | 9.2 mi | 323 | 28,919 |
| Hammondsport | Steuben | 11 mi | 571 | 13,065 |
Season tables by county for Sugar Hill State Forest: Schuyler County.
Sugar Hill State Forest: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 1 licensed guide in Schuyler County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Sugar Hill State 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.
Scheduled near Sugar Hill State Forest
1 upcoming event held on this property or within about 10 miles (NWTF chapter banquet). Checked October 27, 2026.
Next on the list
| Dates | What | Miles | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2027 | Catharine Valley Long Spurs NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 7 | Watkins Glen | Get tickets | Source |
Sugar Hill State Forest: nearest firing lines
Hunters on Sugar Hill State Forest can sight in at New York Field Archers & Bowhunters (2 miles), the nearest listing; public ranges are all more than 60 miles off.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Sugar Hill State Forest shooting hours by key date
East and west matter: sunrise in Buffalo comes about 20 minutes after sunrise in Albany, so use local times for Sugar Hill State Forest.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:59 a.m. | 6:58 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:28 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:03 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:30 a.m. | 6:14 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 6:14 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:06 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:29 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:37 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:04 a.m. | 8:06 p.m. | 5:34 a.m. to 8:36 p.m. | 5:34 a.m. to 8:06 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.
Sugar Hill State Forest in pictures
Answers on Sugar Hill State Forest access and seasons
Which WMU rules apply on Sugar Hill State Forest?
Southern Zone, WMU 8W.
Is Sugar Hill State Forest a large property?
9,213 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Sugar Hill State Forest?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Sugar Hill State Forest?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
What game does the source list for Sugar Hill State Forest?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Are antlerless permits issued for Sugar Hill State Forest?
Yes. DMPs are issued by WMU, and 8W gets 8,000 in 2026.
When is bear season at Sugar Hill State Forest?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 8W).
When is spring turkey season at Sugar Hill State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
How far is Sugar Hill State Forest from a town?
Watkins Glen, about 7.3 mi away.
What zone sets duck dates for Sugar Hill State Forest?
Western Zone dates, starting Oct 10, 2026.
How does access work on Sugar Hill State Forest?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
Can I use screw-in steps on Sugar Hill State Forest?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
Sugar Hill State Forest: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Sugar Hill State Forest can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC sugar hill 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: Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Dougtone (CC BY-SA 2.0).