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State park · 2026-27
Verona Beach State Park hunting rules, seasons and access
State park of 1,684 acres in Oneida County, hunted under WMU 6P dates, for white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: andrusdevelopment (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Verona Beach State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Verona Beach State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 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 · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 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.
Acres and location of Verona Beach State Park
Hunters find Verona Beach State Park, a state park with a hunting program, in Oneida County. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 6, which spans the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley. Hunting here is overseen by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The acreage used here is 1,684, taken from NY State Parks Property layer. It is number 24 by size out of 83 state parks.
From NYS Parks verona beach state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Verona Beach State Park
Verona Beach State Park: access and site rules
NYS Parks allows hunting on Verona Beach State Park under 6 NYCRR 372.7(q) and the OPRHP statewide hunting regulations:
- Hunting on Verona Beach State Park happens only in designated park hunting areas and needs the park's regional hunting permit.
- The permit sets the species, areas, implements and dates.
- Leave permanent blinds and stands at home; portable ones need the permit's OK.
- Restricted Areas are posted and closed; parks may ask you to report take.
Laws every Verona Beach State Park hunter carries in
- Gun hunters after deer or bear wear orange or pink: 250 square inches above the waist or a mostly orange or pink hat.
- The discharge setback is 500 feet for guns, 250 feet for crossbows and 150 feet for bows from homes, farm buildings, schools and churches.
- Hunting over bait is illegal; scents and lures are allowed.
- There is no Sunday ban in New York; some parks set their own.
From NYS Parks verona beach state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Park hunting areas and permits at Verona Beach State Park
The NYS Parks hunting areas layer lists these species and implements for Verona Beach State Park.
| Species | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery |
| Bear | Archery |
| Turkey (fall) | Archery, Shotgun |
| Waterfowl | Shotgun |
| Migratory game birds | Shotgun |
| Small game | Archery, Shotgun |
DEC's list of parks open to deer hunting marks it as needing a park permit. Call the park at (315) 762-4463.
Notes in the park layer for Verona Beach State Park
- Contact park office for additional information.
Quoted from the park page: The winter season hosts snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and ice fishermen. The eastern portion of the park is open for hunting deer, small game, and waterfowl, in season.
Permit and rules links: Self-Issued Hunting Permit
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Verona Beach State Park: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under Verona Beach State Park (6P); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 6P | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 6P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 6P | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 6P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 6P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 6P | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 6P | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 6P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 6P | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 6P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 6P | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 6P | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 6P | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 6P | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 6P | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 6P | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6P | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6P | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 6P | 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 | East Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | East Central goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | East Central goose area | Dec 5, 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 | WMU 6P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 6P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 6P | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 6P | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 6P | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 6P | 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.
Verona Beach State Park and WMU 6P: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, Verona Beach State Park is WMU 6P ground (Southern Zone, 203 sq. mi. across Oneida and Madison). DEC lists 6P as unlimited for DMPs this year. Bear area: Southern Zone. Fall turkey here: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6P | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 7.9% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
WMU 6P deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 6P 1,264 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 957 | 469 |
| 2017 | 816 | 405 |
| 2018 | 1,092 | 483 |
| 2019 | 1,042 | 533 |
| 2020 | 1,202 | 495 |
| 2021 | 1,028 | 510 |
| 2022 | 1,264 | 529 |
Objective for bears in 6P: maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Verona Beach State Park: species list
Game listed for Verona Beach State Park: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ducks and geese and migratory game birds.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Oct 18
Migratory game birds
Oct 10–Oct 18
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 1–Feb 28
Species from NYS Parks verona beach state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Verona Beach State Park: DEC pheasant release site
Expect stocked birds: DEC plans 3 releases and 371 pheasants on Verona Beach State Park this fall.
| Site | Property type | Town | Fields (ac) | Type | Events | Birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verona Beach State Park | Public – special rules | Verona | 494 | Regular | 3 | 371 |
| Stocking week | Pheasants |
|---|---|
| 09/28 | 81 |
| 10/05 | 67 |
| 10/12 | 59 |
| 10/19 | 52 |
| 11/02 | 60 |
| 11/16 | 52 |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
| NA | – |
Special rule: State park permit required
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Verona Beach State Park: a DEC waterfowl place
The DEC waterfowl mapper includes Verona Beach State Park. Southeastern duck zone. It lies in the East Central Canada goose area.
| Property | Owner | Property type | Special rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verona Beach State Park | NYSOPRHP | State Park | Yes |
Note on the DEC map: See State Park webpage for current rules and access information. Some parks may only allow boat access to public waterways.
DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl; checked October 27, 2026. Waterfowl zones.
Verona Beach State Park access points
Official map sheet: Hunting Map · Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks verona beach state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Verona Beach State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show Verona Beach State Park and 10 neighbors; Rome Sand Plains Unique Area sits 8.0 mi off. The tracts listed total 10,720 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome Sand Plains | Unique area | 2,361 | 6K | 8.0 mi | northeast |
| Oneida | Detached parcel | 852 | 6K | 8.3 mi | northwest |
| Fish Creek | State forest | 679 | 6K | 8.3 mi | north |
| Stone Barn | State forest | 621 | 6K | 8.4 mi | northwest |
| Rome | WMA | 1,286 | 6P | 10 mi | east |
| Oneida Lake Islands | WMA | – | 7F | 11 mi | west |
| Cobb Brook | State forest | 689 | 6K | 12 mi | north |
| Furnace Creek | State forest | 1,394 | 6K | 15 mi | north |
| Canada Creek | State forest | 627 | 6K | 15 mi | northeast |
| Green Lakes | State park | 2,211 | 7F | 15 mi | southwest |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind Verona Beach State Park
DEC puts the 2025 Oneida County deer take at 4,651.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,865 | 2,842 | 1,637 |
| 2022 | 5,588 | 2,713 | 2,144 |
| 2023 | 4,768 | 2,662 | 1,655 |
| 2024 | 5,148 | 2,973 | 1,730 |
| 2025 | 4,651 | 2,512 | 1,725 |
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.
Verona Beach State Park: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Wampsville, about 6.9 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wampsville | Madison | 6.9 mi | 556 | – |
| Camden | Oneida | 11 mi | 2,149 | 21,494 |
| Rome | Oneida | 12 mi | 31,990 | 5,916 |
| Bridgeport | Madison | 13 mi | – | 9,863 |
Season tables by county for Verona Beach State Park: Oneida County.
Verona Beach State Park: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 20 licensed guides in Oneida County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Verona Beach 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.
Verona Beach State Park: nearest firing lines
Hunters on Verona Beach State Park can sight in at Canastota Conservation Club (5 miles), the nearest listing; public ranges are all more than 60 miles off.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Verona Beach State Park shooting hours by key date
East and west matter: sunrise in Buffalo comes about 20 minutes after sunrise in Albany, so use local times for Verona Beach State Park.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:53 a.m. | 6:52 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:52 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:57 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:25 a.m. | 6:07 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 6:07 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:02 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:26 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:34 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:56 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 5:26 a.m. to 8:31 p.m. | 5:26 a.m. to 8:01 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.
Verona Beach State Park in pictures
Answers on Verona Beach State Park access and seasons
What zone sets duck dates for Verona Beach State Park?
Southeastern Zone dates, starting Oct 10, 2026.
When is bear season at Verona Beach State Park?
Yes: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (WMU 6P).
How far is Verona Beach State Park from a town?
Wampsville, about 6.9 mi away.
When are pheasants stocked at Verona Beach State Park?
DEC plans 371 birds here in 2026.
How does access work on Verona Beach State Park?
A park permit is needed, and only the hunting areas are open.
Which parts of Verona Beach State Park are open?
Only the mapped hunting areas; restricted areas are posted.
Which WMU rules apply on Verona Beach State Park?
Southern Zone, WMU 6P.
Is Verona Beach State Park a large property?
1,684 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on Verona Beach State Park?
Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at Verona Beach State Park?
It opens Nov 21, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
When is spring turkey season at Verona Beach State Park?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
What game does the source list for Verona Beach State Park?
White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ducks and geese, migratory game birds and small game.
Verona Beach State Park: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on Verona Beach State Park can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: NYS Parks verona beach state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa · DEC state parks that allow hunting · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Bobolink (CC BY 2.0); MSVG (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Birding for Climate (Public domain).