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Turnpike State Forest for hunters
Public hunting ground in Allegany County: access rules, WMU 9P seasons, permits, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Turnpike State Forest
Turnpike State Forest at a glance
The records class Turnpike State Forest as a DEC state forest in Allegany County. Town lines: West Almond and Almond. Regional staff for western New York (Region 9) look after it. Its 4,768 acres come from DEC Lands layer ACRES. That ranks 31st of the 409 state forests on our New York list. Its unit management plan: Allegany.
What DEC writes about hunting here: Hunting is allowed on the property. Be sure to abide by all game laws. Campers can set up at the two parking areas on Stewart Forest Road and also at log landings that have been graveled for vehicle access. Permanent tree stands and ATVs are prohibited.
From DEC turnpike state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Open seasons on Turnpike State Forest this year
47 dated seasons for 32 species reach Turnpike State Forest, matched to WMU 9P, the Western duck zone and the South goose area.
| Species | Season | WMU or zone | Open | Close | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9P | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9P | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9P | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9P | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9P | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9P | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9P | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9P | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9P | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9P | 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 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9P | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9P | 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.
Turnpike State Forest: access and site rules
Hunters on Turnpike State Forest work under the DEC state land use regulations:
- DEC bars permanent stands on Turnpike State Forest, along with cut shooting lanes and blinds made from living cover.
- DEC lets a marked, tree-safe portable stand sit on Turnpike State Forest during the open season; take it home afterwards.
- Do not leave a trail camera or other belongings stashed on Turnpike State Forest.
- Drive only on maintained roads on Turnpike State Forest; ATVs are limited to routes DEC designates.
- Check whether your stay needs a camping permit before you pitch a tent.
Rules from the state guide, on Turnpike State Forest
- Pink counts the same as orange; firearm deer and bear hunters need 250 square inches or a qualifying hat.
- Keep 500 feet from occupied houses and farm buildings with a gun (250 feet with a crossbow, 150 feet with a bow) unless the owner consents.
- Feeding deer or bear is prohibited at any time, and baited areas are off limits.
- Sunday is a hunting day under state law.
From DEC turnpike state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Where to park at Turnpike State Forest
Access to Turnpike State Forest starts at 2 DEC parking points.
| Access point, GPS | Link |
|---|---|
| Stewart Forest Road (West) parking area: 42.2765, -77.8675 | Route |
| Stewart Forest Road (East) parking area and horse stall facility with accessible features: 42.2779, -77.8535 | Route |
Paper map to print: Turnpike, Palmer's Pond, and Phillips Creek State Forests Map · Horse Trail Network Map
Parking points and maps from DEC turnpike state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Deer permits and harvest in the WMU over Turnpike State Forest
9P is the Wildlife Management Unit over Turnpike State Forest; it covers 582 square miles in Allegany, Livingston and Steuben. 9P gets 6,400 DMPs in 2026. Hunters fill about 26.3% of them, and first-choice resident odds are med. For bears, 9P falls in the Southern Zone area. Fall turkey dates for 9P: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | Avg. success | Chance, resident | APR | Weapons | Bear zone | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9P | Southern | 6,400 | 26.3% | med | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
9P deer numbers
Deer take in 9P: 3,613 in 2016, 5,124 in 2022.
| Season | Deer | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,613 | 2,257 |
| 2017 | 4,248 | 2,764 |
| 2018 | 4,964 | 2,772 |
| 2019 | 4,998 | 3,007 |
| 2020 | 6,005 | 2,503 |
| 2021 | 4,443 | 2,660 |
| 2022 | 5,124 | 2,525 |
Bears taken in 9P: 25 in 2020, 20 in 2021, 16 in 2022, 19 in 2023, 35 in 2024, 24 in 2025.
DEC's bear objective for 9P: maintain moderate 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.
Turnpike State Forest and the public land around it
Turnpike State Forest gets the large pin; the closest neighbor is Phillips Creek State Forest, 2.9 mi south. The listed neighbors hold 21,436 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Unit | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Creek | State forest | 2,815 | 9P, 9Y | 2.9 mi | south |
| Karr Valley Creek | State forest | 1,916 | 9P | 3.4 mi | north |
| Palmer's Pond | State forest | 3,509 | 9P | 3.5 mi | northwest |
| Bully Hill | State forest | 3,563 | 9P | 4.1 mi | northeast |
| Jersey Hill | State forest | 1,092 | 9P | 5.0 mi | northwest |
| Hiltonville | State forest | 1,010 | 9P | 5.2 mi | north |
| Vandermark | State forest | 2,425 | 9P, 9Y | 6.0 mi | south |
| Klipnocky | State forest | 2,711 | 9P | 6.6 mi | north |
| Bald Mountain | State forest | 763 | 9P | 6.8 mi | west |
| Canacadea | State forest | 1,632 | 8X | 7.2 mi | east |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Turnpike State Forest trip planning
From Turnpike State Forest, Alfred is 3.9 mi by straight line.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Allegany | 3.9 mi | 5,471 | 28,295 |
| Almond | Allegany | 5.5 mi | 396 | 27,644 |
| Angelica | Allegany | 9.2 mi | 707 | 29,130 |
| Belmont | Allegany | 11 mi | 834 | 13,932 |
The county guide covering Turnpike State Forest: Allegany County.
Turnpike State Forest: businesses close by
Licensed guides based in Allegany County: 5, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
Nearest DEC desks for Turnpike 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.
Local deer numbers for Turnpike State Forest
In 2019, the final year DEC printed town totals, West Almond came in at 360 deer.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 adult bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Almond | Allegany | 243 | 191 | 278 | 381 | 360 | 225 |
| Almond | Allegany | 310 | 258 | 305 | 389 | 429 | 257 |
Town bear take: West Almond 2020: 1, West Almond 2022: 1, Almond 2020: 1, Almond 2021: 1.
Allegany County as a whole recorded 9,179 deer in 2025.
| Year | Total | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,375 | 4,596 | 3,082 |
| 2022 | 8,690 | 4,287 | 3,281 |
| 2023 | 8,221 | 4,197 | 2,811 |
| 2024 | 8,737 | 4,820 | 3,016 |
| 2025 | 9,179 | 4,825 | 3,520 |
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.
Close to Turnpike State Forest on the calendar
On the ground itself or nearby: 1 upcoming event, covering NWTF chapter banquet.
On the way
| Held on | Event | Distance | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 2027 | Cohocton Valley NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 9 | Hornell | Get tickets | Source |
Turnpike State Forest: nearest firing lines
It is about 2 miles from Turnpike State Forest to Almond Rod & Gun Club, the closest range on the list.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Turnpike State Forest shooting hours by key date
Big game legal light at Turnpike State Forest brackets sunrise and sunset by 30 minutes; migratory birds open 30 minutes before sunrise and stop at sunset.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for big game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:08 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:18 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:09 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:33 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:41 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:09 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. | 5:39 a.m. to 8:10 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.
Turnpike State Forest in pictures
Turnpike State Forest FAQ for 2026-27
How far is Turnpike State Forest from a town?
Alfred (3.9 mi).
May I hang a stand for the season on Turnpike State Forest?
Portable and labeled, never nailed or screwed in; remove it after the season.
What are the blaze orange rules at Turnpike State Forest?
Firearm deer and bear hunters must wear orange or pink above the waist.
What hours apply on Turnpike State Forest?
Big game 30 minutes either side of sunrise and sunset; migratory birds end at sunset.
Can I hunt Turnpike State Forest with just a hunting license?
Yes. It is open to licensed hunters in season, and the fee is free.
What size do the sources give Turnpike State Forest?
Its size is 4,768 acres.
Which WMU rules apply on Turnpike State Forest?
WMU 9P; that puts it in the Southern Zone.
What deer season covers Turnpike State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026, per the 2026-27 guide.
Is there an early bow season at Turnpike State Forest?
The first bow window is Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
What is the 2026 DMP target for Turnpike State Forest?
9P target: 6,400 DMPs.
What are the spring turkey dates for Turnpike State Forest?
Spring season runs May 1 to May 31, 2027; hours end at noon.
When is bear season at Turnpike State Forest?
Bear season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 in WMU 9P.
Turnpike State Forest: confirm these before you go
Print the Turnpike State Forest map, carry your license and tags, and read the posted signs at the parking area.
Sources: DEC turnpike 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: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0); aaron.michael_ebird (CC BY-SA 2.0).