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What hunters need to know about Taughannock Falls State Park
Rules, WMU 8S season dates, maps and neighbors for a state park in Tompkins County and 1 more.
Photo: Eric Kilby (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Taughannock Falls State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Taughannock Falls State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Taughannock Falls State Park Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 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 Taughannock Falls State Park is
Taughannock Falls State Park is a state park with a hunting program in Tompkins and Seneca counties. It is a Region 7 property, in central New York. Rules on the ground come from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Size: 840 acres (NY State Parks Property layer). 40 others of the 83 state parks are larger.
From NYS Parks taughannock falls state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park hunting rules for 2026-27
For Taughannock Falls State Park, the state parks hunting rules set the terms:
- NYS Parks opens only designated parts of Taughannock Falls State Park to hunters who hold the park's permit.
- Dates, species and implements differ by permit, so check yours.
- No permanent blinds or tree stands; a portable stand only if the permit allows it and it does not damage the tree.
- Posted Restricted Areas are closed to hunting, and take must be reported when the park asks.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Taughannock Falls State Park
- 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 NYS Parks taughannock falls state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Taughannock Falls State Park park permit details
NYS Parks maps 1 species group for Taughannock Falls State Park, each with its implements.
| Species | Legal tools |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow |
Phone the park office at (607) 387-6739.
Park notes on Taughannock Falls State Park hunting areas
- Deer hunting is archery, and crossbow only. Contact park office for additional information.
The park website says: Bow/crossbow hunting for deer is permitted in season. Deer hunting (bow only) is permitted in season. Please reference the A valid New York State hunting license with the proper hunting stamps will serve as the regional hunting permit. Except where otherwise stated, this is the only permit necessary. Safety zones and restricted areas are posted to ensure the safety of other park patrons and regional personnel. Signs will be posted at all parks during hunting season to notify patrons of this activity. Handguns will not be permitted in any of the parks. No trapping is permitted.
Permit paperwork: NYS DEC Hunting and Trapping Guide · 2025-26 Hunting Permit · 2025-2026 Hunting Permit
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Taughannock Falls State Park, and when
This calendar is cut down to Taughannock Falls State Park: its WMU (8S), 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 8S | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8S | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8S | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8S | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8S | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8S | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8S | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8S | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8S | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8S | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8S | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8S | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8S | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8S | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (cocks only) | WMU 8S | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8S | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8S | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8S | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8S | 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 8S | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8S | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8S | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8S | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8S | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8S | 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.
Taughannock Falls State Park: WMU 8S numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 8S, 256 square miles in the Southern Zone covering parts of Schuyler, Seneca and Tompkins. There is no cap on DMPs in 8S in 2026. The bear area for 8S is Southern Zone. Fall turkey in 8S: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8S | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 19.0% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Calculated deer take, 8S
In 2022, 8S produced 2,470 deer by DEC's estimate (1,649 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,649 | 883 |
| 2017 | 1,644 | 801 |
| 2018 | 1,766 | 795 |
| 2019 | 1,640 | 836 |
| 2020 | 2,366 | 947 |
| 2021 | 2,026 | 968 |
| 2022 | 2,470 | 1,074 |
Bear harvest in 8S for 2025 was 1, or 0.4 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 8S 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.
Taughannock Falls State Park game species
1 game group is named for Taughannock Falls State Park; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Species from NYS Parks taughannock falls state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Taughannock Falls State Park
Map in print form: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks taughannock falls state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Taughannock Falls State Park and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Taughannock Falls State Park, starting with Cayuga Shores WMA. Combined: 55,528 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuga Shores | WMA | 282 | 7H | 5.1 mi | north |
| Finger Lakes National Forest | National forest | 16,389 | 8S | 9.7 mi | west |
| Robert H. Treman | State park | 1,122 | 7R | 10 mi | south |
| Buttermilk Falls | State park | 818 | 7R | 11 mi | southeast |
| Long Point State Park | State park | 253 | 7H | 13 mi | north |
| Texas Hollow | State forest | 985 | 8S | 13 mi | southwest |
| Cayuga-Tompkins Cooperative Hunting Area | Co-op area | 22,479 | 7H | 14 mi | north |
| Connecticut Hill | WMA | 11,375 | 7R | 14 mi | south |
| Willard | WMA | 439 | 8S | 15 mi | northwest |
| Yellow Barn | State forest | 1,386 | 7R | 15 mi | southeast |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Taughannock Falls State Park
The 2025 deer take for Tompkins County was 3,398.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,408 | 1,585 | 1,425 |
| 2022 | 3,513 | 1,614 | 1,392 |
| 2023 | 3,150 | 1,568 | 1,152 |
| 2024 | 3,543 | 1,741 | 1,348 |
| 2025 | 3,398 | 1,659 | 1,402 |
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.
Taughannock Falls State Park: nearby towns and services
Ithaca sits 8.9 mi from Taughannock Falls State Park, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | Tompkins | 8.9 mi | 33,768 | 8,461 |
| Lodi | Seneca | 12 mi | 280 | 14,257 |
| Newfield | Tompkins | 13 mi | – | 21,736 |
| Burdett | Schuyler | 15 mi | 323 | 28,919 |
Open the county guide for Taughannock Falls State Park: Tompkins County, Seneca County.
Taughannock Falls State Park: businesses close by
Tompkins County is home to 5 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Taughannock Falls State Park: 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.
Taughannock Falls State Park and nearby events
NWTF chapter banquet: 1 upcoming event, on site or a few miles off.
Still ahead
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2027 | Between the lakes Ropers NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 8 | Interlaken | Get tickets | Source |
Taughannock Falls State Park: nearest firing lines
Lansing Rod & Gun Club, 4 miles away, is the nearest range to Taughannock Falls State Park; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Taughannock Falls State Park: 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 Taughannock Falls State Park and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:57 a.m. | 6:57 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:01 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:12 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:12 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:27 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:35 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:02 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 5:32 a.m. to 8:34 p.m. | 5:32 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.
Taughannock Falls State Park in pictures
Taughannock Falls State Park questions, answered from the record
What is the bowhunting window on Taughannock Falls State Park?
Archery runs Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 to start.
What species go with Taughannock Falls State Park?
Named game: white-tailed deer.
When does turkey season open on Taughannock Falls State Park?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Taughannock Falls State Park?
WMU 8S is open for bears Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
How far is Taughannock Falls State Park from a town?
Ithaca is 8.9 mi away.
Is Sunday hunting allowed at Taughannock Falls State Park?
Check the permit and DEC's park list; some parks close Sundays.
Does the orange law apply on Taughannock Falls State Park?
During firearm deer and bear hunting, for you and anyone with you.
When does legal light start at Taughannock Falls State Park?
Big game from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; ducks stop at sunset.
Is Taughannock Falls State Park open to public hunting?
Yes, with a park hunting permit, inside the mapped hunting areas only.
What does Taughannock Falls State Park measure?
The record lists 840 acres.
What zone and WMU is Taughannock Falls State Park?
The DEC WMU layer gives 8S (Southern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Taughannock Falls State Park?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 8S.
Taughannock Falls State Park: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Taughannock Falls State Park.
Sources: NYS Parks taughannock falls state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); simonov (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).