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State park · 2026-27
Two Rivers State Park: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state park in Tioga County and 1 more, 564 acres.
Photo: Dougtone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Two Rivers State Park
Where Two Rivers State Park is and who runs it
Two Rivers State Park sits in Tioga and Chemung counties, filed as a state park with a hunting program. Region 7 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of central New York. It is managed by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 564 acres are on record from NY State Parks Property layer. Sorted by acreage, the 83 state parks put it 56th.
From NYS Parks two rivers state park recreation area; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Two Rivers State Park
Two Rivers State Park pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Two Rivers State Park is Maple Hill State Forest, 5.0 mi away to the northwest. Combined: 14,571 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Hill | State forest | 596 | 8Y | 5.0 mi | northwest |
| Newtown Battlefield Reservation | State park | 449 | 8Y | 9.4 mi | west |
| Cliffside | State forest | 963 | 7R | 19 mi | north |
| Danby | State forest | 7,705 | 7R | 19 mi | north |
| Big Flats | WMA | 460 | 8Y | 20 mi | west |
| Mark Twain | State park | 468 | 8W | 20 mi | northwest |
| Newfield | State forest | 1,453 | 7R | 20 mi | north |
| Oakley Corners | State forest | 1,160 | 7S | 22 mi | northeast |
| Fairfield | State forest | 810 | 7R | 23 mi | northeast |
| Tracy Creek State Forest, | State forest | 507 | 7S | 23 mi | east |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Two Rivers State Park regulations, plainly
Hunters on Two Rivers State Park follow the NYS Parks statewide hunting regulations:
- Permit first, then the designated areas: that is how hunting on Two Rivers State Park works.
- Implements, dates, species and areas are printed on the permit.
- Only portable stands the permit allows, set without tree damage; no permanent blinds.
- No hunting in posted Restricted Areas; harvest reports go to the park on request.
State law reminders for Two Rivers State Park
- 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 NYS Parks two rivers state park recreation area, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Two Rivers State Park hunting areas, species and implements
The park layer pairs each species on Two Rivers State Park with legal implements.
| Game | Allowed implements |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader |
Sign-in is part of the rules. Park phone: (607) 273-3440.
Two Rivers State Park hunting area notes
- Deer hunting is archery, crossbow, and muzzleloader only. Contact park office for additional information.
NYS Parks writes: Deer hunting (bow and muzzleloading only – no shotgun or rifle) 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. Additional park specific permits include (1) daily signing in and out at the Romtek bathroom on Banzhoff Road and (2) a self-issued permit to be carried on hunter at all times when hunting and are available at the daily sign in location. Safety zones and restricted areas are posted to ensure the safety of other park patrons and regional personnel. Signs will be posted at all …
Park hunting files: NYS DEC Hunting and Trapping Guide · 2024-25 Hunting Season
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 8Y facts for Two Rivers State Park
The WMU map puts Two Rivers State Park in 8Y; 8Y spans 354 square miles of Chemung, Steuben and Tioga. DEC set a 2026 target of 8,700 Deer Management Permits for 8Y; average DMP success there runs 15.0%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Southern Zone bear rules cover 8Y. The fall turkey window for 8Y is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8Y | Southern | 8,700 | 15.0% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 8Y
8Y yielded 2,633 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2,271 | 1,283 |
| 2017 | 2,345 | 1,340 |
| 2018 | 2,421 | 1,269 |
| 2019 | 2,536 | 1,534 |
| 2020 | 3,297 | 1,512 |
| 2021 | 2,403 | 1,246 |
| 2022 | 2,633 | 1,389 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 8Y came to 29.
DEC's bear plan for 8Y reads "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.
Every season window on Two Rivers State Park
32 species have open dates on Two Rivers State Park this license year; the table holds 47 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8Y | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8Y | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8Y | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8Y | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8Y | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8Y | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8Y | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8Y | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8Y | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8Y | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 8Y | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8Y | 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 8Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8Y | 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.
Two Rivers State Park game species
The source names white-tailed deer on Two Rivers State Park.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Species from NYS Parks two rivers state park recreation area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Two Rivers State Park: parking and maps
Map download: Two Rivers Hunting Map · Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks two rivers state park recreation area; checked October 27, 2026.
Two Rivers State Park: town and county harvest
Tioga County deer, 2025: 3,508.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,187 | 1,546 | 1,283 |
| 2022 | 3,586 | 1,664 | 1,404 |
| 2023 | 3,153 | 1,587 | 1,147 |
| 2024 | 3,519 | 1,840 | 1,259 |
| 2025 | 3,508 | 1,813 | 1,369 |
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.
Two Rivers State Park hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Two Rivers State Park; 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 | 6:56 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:56 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 | 7:27 a.m. | 6:12 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 6:12 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:02 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:26 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:34 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:02 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 5:32 a.m. to 8:33 p.m. | 5:32 a.m. to 8:03 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.
Two Rivers State Park: nearby towns and services
Elmira is the nearest town with its own page, 14 mi from Two Rivers State Park.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira | Chemung | 14 mi | 26,255 | 755 |
| Owego | Tioga | 16 mi | 4,167 | 1,215 |
| West Danby | Tompkins | 21 mi | – | 23,452 |
| Newfield | Tompkins | 23 mi | – | 21,736 |
Two Rivers State Park falls inside these county guides: Tioga County, Chemung County.
Two Rivers State Park: businesses close by
9 licensed guides are registered in Tioga County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Two Rivers State Park
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.
Two Rivers State Park: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Two Rivers State Park: Waverly Sportmans Club, roughly 6 miles. DEC has no firearm range, and no local public range is close.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Two Rivers State Park in pictures
Two Rivers State Park: short answers
What game is found on Two Rivers State Park?
White-tailed deer.
How long is spring turkey on Two Rivers State Park?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Two Rivers State Park?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Which town page is closest to Two Rivers State Park?
Elmira, about 14 mi away.
Can I hunt anywhere in Two Rivers State Park?
No, only the designated hunting areas.
What colors are required at Two Rivers State Park in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
How does access work on Two Rivers State Park?
Get the regional hunting permit for this park; it lists areas, species and dates.
What does Two Rivers State Park measure?
About 564 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Two Rivers State Park?
WMU 8Y, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Two Rivers State Park?
WMU 8Y: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Two Rivers State Park?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 8Y).
What are the DMP odds near Two Rivers State Park?
Resident first-permit odds in 8Y are high; the target is 8,700.
Two Rivers State Park: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Two Rivers State Park, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: NYS Parks two rivers state park recreation area · 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: The Cornell IPM Image Gallery (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).