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State forest · 2026-27
Taconic Ridge State Forest hunting rules, seasons and access
State forest of 11,036 acres in Rensselaer County, hunted under WMU 4L dates.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Taconic Ridge State Forest
Taconic Ridge State Forest at a glance
Hunters find Taconic Ridge State Forest, a DEC state forest, in Rensselaer County. DEC places it in the towns of Petersburgh, Stephentown and Berlin. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 4, which spans the Capital District and northern Catskills. The acreage used here is 11,036, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 5 by size out of 409 state forests. The written DEC description uses 3,834 acres. DEC plans it under the Taconic Highlands unit management plan.
Hunting section, quoted: Hunting is allowed in Taconic Ridge State Forest during appropriate seasons.
Caution: Acreage conflict: DEC page text says 3,834 acres; DEC Lands layer 11,036 acres (layer value used; the page may describe a larger complex or an older boundary).
From DEC taconic ridge state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Taconic Ridge State Forest
Taconic Ridge State Forest: access and site rules
These state land rules from DEC cover Taconic Ridge State Forest:
- Trees on Taconic Ridge 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 Taconic Ridge 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 Taconic Ridge 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 Taconic Ridge 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 taconic ridge state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Taconic Ridge State Forest: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Taconic Ridge State Forest (4L); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 4L | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 4L | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 4L | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 4L | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 4L | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 4L | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 4L | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 4L | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 4L | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 4L | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 4L | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 4L | 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 | Hudson Valley goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Hudson Valley goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| 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 | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 4L | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 4L | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 4L | 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.
Taconic Ridge State Forest and WMU 4L: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Taconic Ridge State Forest is WMU 4L ground (Southern Zone, 221 sq. mi. across Rensselaer). The 2026 DMP target in 4L is 400, with 21.4% average success and PP Req 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L | Southern | 400 | 21.4% | PP Req | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 4L deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 4L 620 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 543 | 439 |
| 2017 | 555 | 398 |
| 2018 | 643 | 479 |
| 2019 | 540 | 411 |
| 2020 | 734 | 467 |
| 2021 | 685 | 523 |
| 2022 | 620 | 383 |
Recent bear numbers for 4L: 2022: 0, 2023: 15, 2024: 6, 2025: 12.
Objective for bears in 4L: 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.
Taconic Ridge State Forest access points
The DEC directions name 4 places to leave a truck at Taconic Ridge State Forest.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Northern most parking area on State Route 346, east of State Route 22: 42.8096, -73.2887 | Navigate |
| Parking area on Prosser Hollow Road, east of State Route 22: 42.7921, -73.3169 | Navigate |
| Parking area on State Route 2, east of Petersburg, provides access to the north and south: 42.7233, -73.2778 | Navigate |
| Parking area at the end of Greene Hollow Road, also east of State Route 22: 42.7063, -73.3119 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: Taconic Ridge State Forest – North map · Taconic Ridge State Forest – Central map · Taconic Ridge State Forest – South map
Open Taconic Ridge State Forest in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC taconic ridge state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Taconic Ridge State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Taconic Ridge State Forest and 10 neighbors; Berlin State Forest sits 3.5 mi off. The tracts listed total 22,947 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | State forest | 1,949 | 4L | 3.5 mi | south |
| Cowee | State forest | 4,908 | 4L | 5.6 mi | west |
| Cherry Plain | State park | 150 | 4L | 8.0 mi | southwest |
| Capital District | WMA | 6,865 | 4L | 8.5 mi | southwest |
| Grafton Lakes | State park | 2,612 | 4L | 9.4 mi | northwest |
| Tibbitts | State forest | 846 | 4C, 4L | 11 mi | north |
| Pittstown | State forest | 2,342 | 4L | 12 mi | northwest |
| Bennington Battlefield | Historic site | 411 | 4C, 5S | 17 mi | north |
| Hand Hollow | State forest | 1,139 | 4U | 17 mi | southwest |
| Mount Tom | State forest | 1,725 | 5S | 21 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Taconic Ridge State Forest
The town of Stephentown, where Taconic Ridge State Forest lies, produced 149 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephentown | Rensselaer | 129 | 46 | 46 | 158 | 149 | 97 |
| Berlin | Rensselaer | 139 | 169 | 150 | 165 | 129 | 98 |
DEC bear tables list 1 for Petersburgh (2020), 1 for Petersburgh (2021), 1 for Stephentown (2020), 3 for Stephentown (2021), 2 for Stephentown (2022), 8 for Berlin (2020).
DEC puts the 2025 Rensselaer County deer take at 2,796.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,143 | 1,908 | 1,065 |
| 2022 | 3,080 | 1,732 | 1,093 |
| 2023 | 2,695 | 1,604 | 866 |
| 2024 | 2,588 | 1,507 | 878 |
| 2025 | 2,796 | 1,601 | 935 |
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.
Taconic Ridge State Forest: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Averill Park, about 13 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Averill Park | Rensselaer | 13 mi | – | 11,499 |
| Hoosick Falls | Rensselaer | 14 mi | 3,190 | 7,692 |
| East Nassau | Rensselaer | 15 mi | 516 | 10,675 |
| Troy | Rensselaer | 19 mi | 51,065 | 392 |
Season tables by county for Taconic Ridge State Forest: Rensselaer County.
Taconic Ridge State Forest: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 12 licensed guides in Rensselaer County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Taconic Ridge 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.
Nearest public range for Taconic Ridge State Forest hunters
Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range, 34 miles off, is the public range nearest Taconic Ridge State Forest. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Taconic Ridge 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 Taconic Ridge State Forest.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:45 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:17 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:53 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:16 a.m. | 4:21 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 4:21 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:24 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:50 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 7:52 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.
Taconic Ridge State Forest in pictures
Answers on Taconic Ridge State Forest access and seasons
How far is Taconic Ridge State Forest from a town?
Averill Park, about 13 mi away.
When is bear season at Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 4L).
Do I need orange or pink on Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a qualifying hat.
Can I use screw-in steps on Taconic Ridge State Forest?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
How does access work on Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
What hours apply on Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Sunrise minus 30 minutes for big game; the hours table above has local times.
Which WMU rules apply on Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Southern Zone, WMU 4L.
Is Taconic Ridge State Forest a large property?
11,036 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Taconic Ridge State Forest?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When is spring turkey season at Taconic Ridge State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
Are antlerless permits issued for Taconic Ridge State Forest?
Yes. DMPs are issued by WMU, and 4L gets 400 in 2026.
Taconic Ridge State Forest: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Taconic Ridge State Forest can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC taconic ridge 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: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).