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State forest · Region 9
Vandermark State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state forest in Allegany County, 2,425 acres.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Vandermark State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Vandermark State Forest
- Phillips Creek State ForestTrailhead · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 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.
Where Vandermark State Forest is and who runs it
Vandermark State Forest sits in Allegany County, filed as a DEC state forest. Its town is Ward. Region 9 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of western New York. 2,425 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 409 state forests put it 89th. Unit plan on file: Allegany.
The property page says: Wildlife Management Units : 9P and 9Y Hunting is allowed on the property. Campers can set up at the log landings that have been graveled for vehicle access. Permanent tree stands and ATVs are prohibited. Be sure to abide by all game laws.
From DEC vandermark state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Vandermark State Forest
Vandermark State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Vandermark State Forest is Phillips Creek State Forest, 3.2 mi away to the northeast. Combined: 21,434 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Creek | State forest | 2,815 | 9P, 9Y | 3.2 mi | northeast |
| Plumbottom | State forest | 1,680 | 9P | 4.0 mi | west |
| Turnpike | State forest | 4,768 | 9P | 6.0 mi | north |
| Palmer's Pond | State forest | 3,509 | 9P | 7.1 mi | north |
| Bald Mountain | State forest | 763 | 9P | 8.4 mi | northwest |
| Karr Valley Creek | State forest | 1,916 | 9P | 8.9 mi | north |
| Jersey Hill | State forest | 1,092 | 9P | 9.8 mi | north |
| Bully Hill | State forest | 3,563 | 9P | 10 mi | northeast |
| Hiltonville | State forest | 1,010 | 9P | 11 mi | north |
| Genesee River | WMA | 318 | 9X | 11 mi | south |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Vandermark State Forest regulations, plainly
On Vandermark State Forest the DEC state land use rules set the ground rules:
- Nothing may be nailed, screwed or cut on Vandermark State Forest: no permanent stands, natural blinds or shooting lanes.
- Tagged portable stands are fine on Vandermark State Forest for the season (name and address or license number on them), then they have to be removed.
- Personal property cannot be stored on Vandermark State Forest, and that includes trail cameras.
- ATVs and trucks are kept to designated or maintained roads.
- Plan any overnight camp around the DEC camping permit rules.
State law reminders for Vandermark State Forest
- 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 vandermark state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 9P facts for Vandermark State Forest
The WMU map puts Vandermark State Forest in 9P, with 9Y also overlapping; 9P spans 582 square miles of Allegany, Livingston and Steuben. DEC set a 2026 target of 6,400 Deer Management Permits for 9P; average DMP success there runs 26.3%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated med. Southern Zone bear rules cover 9P. The fall turkey window for 9P is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9P | Southern | 6,400 | 26.3% | med | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 9Y | Southern | 5,400 | 15.0% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 9P
9P yielded 5,124 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult 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 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 9P came to 24.
DEC's bear plan for 9P 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 Vandermark State Forest
32 species have open dates on Vandermark State Forest 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 | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 9P, 9Y | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | 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 | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 9P, 9Y | 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.
Getting into Vandermark State Forest: parking and maps
Park at one of the 4 access points DEC gives for Vandermark State Forest.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| Waugh Brook Road parking area with parking for 5 cars or 2 cars with trailers: 42.2084, -77.9236 | Open map |
| Vandermark Road parking area with parking for 10 cars or 5 cars with trailers: 42.2184, -77.8761 | Open map |
| Brody Slide Road parking area with parking for 5 cars or 2 cars with trailers: 42.2160, -77.9080 | Open map |
| Allen Forest Road parking area: 42.2203, -77.8630 | Open map |
Map download: Vandermark State Forest Map
Parking points and maps from DEC vandermark state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Vandermark State Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Ward with 223 deer, 125 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ward | Allegany | 128 | 148 | 166 | 188 | 223 | 125 |
Bears reported by town: Ward 2 in 2022.
Allegany County deer, 2025: 9,179.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Vandermark State Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Vandermark State Forest; 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 | 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.
Vandermark State Forest: nearby towns and services
Scio is the nearest town with its own page, 5.6 mi from Vandermark State Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scio | Allegany | 5.6 mi | – | 12,758 |
| Alfred | Allegany | 5.7 mi | 5,471 | 28,295 |
| Belmont | Allegany | 7.4 mi | 834 | 13,932 |
| Angelica | Allegany | 9.3 mi | 707 | 29,130 |
Vandermark State Forest falls inside these county guides: Allegany County.
Vandermark State Forest: businesses close by
5 licensed guides are registered in Allegany County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Vandermark 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.
Vandermark State Forest: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Vandermark State Forest: Southern Tier Precision, roughly 5 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.
Vandermark State Forest in pictures
Vandermark State Forest: short answers
How does access work on Vandermark State Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Vandermark State Forest measure?
About 2,425 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Vandermark State Forest?
WMU 9P (also 9Y), in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Vandermark State Forest?
WMUs 9P, 9Y: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Vandermark State Forest?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMUs 9P, 9Y).
What are the DMP odds near Vandermark State Forest?
Resident first-permit odds in 9P are med; the target is 6,400.
How long is spring turkey on Vandermark State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Vandermark State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Which town page is closest to Vandermark State Forest?
Scio, about 5.6 mi away.
What are the stand rules on Vandermark State Forest?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
What colors are required at Vandermark State Forest in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
What time does hunting end at Vandermark State Forest?
Big game ends 30 minutes after sunset; upland birds at sunset.
Vandermark State Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Vandermark State Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC vandermark 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); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); nayukim (CC BY 2.0).