Home › New York › Public land › Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
WMA · Region 3
Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wma in Dutchess County, 1,679 acres.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve
Parking, trailheads and gates near Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve
- Tivoli BaysBoat ramp · 0.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 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 Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve is and who runs it
Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve sits in Dutchess County, filed as a DEC wildlife management area. Its town is Red Hook. Region 3 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of the lower Hudson Valley. 1,679 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 119 WMAs put it 33rd.
The property page says: Tivoli Bays offers a wide variety of hunting opportunities in season with a valid state license. The area is especially well-known and popular for the excellent waterfowl hunting on Tivoli North Bay, which supports large concentrations of migratory ducks moving south along the Hudson River. Upland areas provide ample acreage for deer, turkey and small game hunting and are stocked by DEC with ring-necked pheasants to provide additional hunting opportunities.
From DEC tivoli bays wildlife management area a; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve is Turkey Point State Forest, 2.3 mi away to the southwest. Combined: 6,308 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Point | State forest | 140 | 3J | 2.3 mi | southwest |
| Clermont | Historic site | 601 | 4Y | 3.2 mi | north |
| High Woods | Multiple use area | 43 | 3C | 5.8 mi | west |
| Great Vly | WMA | 202 | 3J | 7.2 mi | north |
| Catskill | Detached parcel | 23 | 3C | 8.0 mi | north |
| Bluestone | Wild forest | 3,059 | 3C | 8.3 mi | southwest |
| Seward's Island | WMA | 72 | 3J, 4Y | 9.1 mi | north |
| Lafayetteville | Multiple use area | 718 | 3G, 4Z | 10 mi | southeast |
| Overlook Mountain | Wild forest | 1,131 | 3A | 10 mi | west |
| Livingston | State forest | 319 | 4Y | 11 mi | north |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve regulations, plainly
Part 51 of 6 NYCRR lays out what is allowed on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve:
- Target shooting on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve is banned unless a posted range allows it.
- Written permission from DEC comes before any camp.
- Vehicles leave the roads only where a permit or posting allows.
- No cutting vegetation and no permanent structures, blinds, stands or hardware in trees.
- Only labeled stands (name and address or DEC ID) may stay on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve overnight, and they come out at season end; other gear leaves with you.
- Signs reading "No Trespassing" close those parts without written permission.
- Overnight mooring is banned and fires serve only cooking or warmth.
State law reminders for Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
- 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 DEC tivoli bays wildlife management area a, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3F facts for Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
The WMU map puts Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve in 3F, with 3J also overlapping; 3F spans 332 square miles of Dutchess and Columbia. DEC set a 2026 target of 4,400 Deer Management Permits for 3F; average DMP success there runs 4.7%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Southern Zone bear rules cover 3F. The fall turkey window for 3F is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3F | Southern | 4,400 | 4.7% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 3J | Southern | 6,400 | 7.7% | high | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 3F
3F yielded 554 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,424 | 755 |
| 2017 | 1,186 | 595 |
| 2018 | 1,265 | 630 |
| 2019 | 1,250 | 611 |
| 2020 | 1,193 | 527 |
| 2021 | 542 | 256 |
| 2022 | 554 | 349 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 3F came to 5.
DEC's bear plan for 3F reads "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.
Every season window on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
32 species have open dates on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve this license year; the table holds 48 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 3F, 3J | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMU 3J | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMUs 3F, 3J | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 3F, 3J | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 3F, 3J | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | 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 | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 3F, 3J | 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.
Stocked pheasants at Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve is on the 2026 DEC pheasant stocking list with 632 birds over 6 stockings.
| Release site | Access | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Releases | Birds 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tivoli Bays WMA | Public – open access | Red Hook | 44 | Youth, regular | 6 | 632 |
| Week of | Birds |
|---|---|
| 09/21 | 64 |
| 09/28 | 121 |
| 10/05 | 51 |
| 10/12 | 64 |
| 10/19 | 51 |
| 10/26 | 64 |
| 11/02 | 51 |
| 12/07 | 64 |
| 12/14 | 51 |
| 12/15 | 51 |
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Ducks and geese at Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
DEC lists Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve among its places to hunt waterfowl. Use the Southeastern zone duck calendar. Canada goose dates: Hudson Valley area.
| Map entry | Owner | Type | Special rules? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tivoli Bays WMA | NYSDEC | WMA | Yes |
Listed note: Not all units open to hunting. See WMA webpage for details.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve game species
The source names white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and ring-necked pheasant and more on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC tivoli bays wildlife management area a; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve: parking and maps
Park at one of the 3 access points DEC gives for Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| provide access to the Tivoli North Bay trails and a canoe launch: 42.0462, -73.9067 | Open map |
| and trailhead: 42.0361, -73.8952 | Open map |
| provide access to Tivoli North and South Bay trails: 42.0277, -73.9090 | Open map |
Map download: Tivoli Bays WMA Map
Parking points and maps from DEC tivoli bays wildlife management area a; checked October 27, 2026.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Red Hook with 177 deer, 84 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hook | Dutchess | 128 | 164 | 120 | 141 | 177 | 84 |
Bears reported by town: Red Hook 1 in 2021.
Dutchess County deer, 2025: 1,881.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,709 | 939 | 648 |
| 2022 | 1,859 | 1,055 | 676 |
| 2023 | 1,653 | 1,044 | 504 |
| 2024 | 1,695 | 1,077 | 509 |
| 2025 | 1,881 | 1,130 | 602 |
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.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve; 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 | 6:46 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:16 a.m. | 6:02 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:51 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:14 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:22 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:53 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 8:21 p.m. | 5:23 a.m. to 7:51 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.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve: nearby towns and services
Tivoli is the nearest town with its own page, 1.1 mi from Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tivoli | Dutchess | 1.1 mi | 1,019 | 11,394 |
| Ruby | Ulster | 5.2 mi | – | 17,132 |
| Kingston | Ulster | 8.6 mi | 23,748 | 5,474 |
| Palenville | Greene | 12 mi | – | 46,141 |
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve falls inside these county guides: Dutchess County.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve: businesses close by
10 licensed guides are registered in Dutchess County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve
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 Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve hunters
From Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area And Research Reserve, Black Creek Marsh WMA Archery Range is the nearest DEC or government-run range (43 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve in pictures
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve: short answers
How does access work on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve measure?
About 1,679 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
WMU 3F (also 3J), in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
WMUs 3F, 3J: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMUs 3F, 3J).
What are the DMP odds near Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
Resident first-permit odds in 3F are high; the target is 4,400.
What game is found on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ring-necked pheasant and small game top the list.
How long is spring turkey on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When does waterfowl open at Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
It is in the Southeastern Zone; split one Oct 10 to Oct 18, 2026.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
Yes; DEC stocks it (632 birds this year).
Which town page is closest to Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve?
Tivoli, about 1.1 mi away.
Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Tivoli Bays WMA And Research Reserve, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC tivoli bays wildlife management area a · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); runJMrun (CC BY 2.0); mlcastle (CC BY-SA 2.0).