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State forest · 2026-27
West Osceola State Forest hunting rules, seasons and access
State forest of 1,897 acres in Oswego County, hunted under WMU 6K dates, for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to West Osceola State Forest
Acres and location of West Osceola State Forest
Hunters find West Osceola State Forest, a DEC state forest, in Oswego County. DEC places it in the town of Redfield. In DEC terms it belongs to Region 7, which spans central New York. The acreage used here is 1,897, taken from DEC Lands layer ACRES. It is number 125 by size out of 409 state forests. DEC plans it under the Upper Salmon River unit management plan.
Hunting section, quoted: Wildlife Managment Unit : 6K The secluded and remote setting of this property provides incredible hunting and trapping opportunities. Wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, deer, weasel, fox, coyote, muskrat and rabbit are all abundant.
From DEC west osceola state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around West Osceola State Forest
West Osceola State Forest: access and site rules
These state land rules from DEC cover West Osceola State Forest:
- Trees on West Osceola State Forest stay unharmed, so no hardware, no cleared shooting lanes and no blinds built from brush.
- Your stand may remain in place for the season on West Osceola State Forest as long as it is tag-marked with your details and harms no tree.
- Trail cameras and other gear may not be left on West Osceola State Forest as storage.
- Motor vehicles stay on maintained roads, and ATVs need a designated route.
- Camping needs a DEC permit where the rules require one.
Laws every West Osceola State Forest 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 DEC west osceola state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
West Osceola State Forest: dates by species
Dates below apply to the WMU and zones under West Osceola State Forest (6K, 6N); trapping and falconry rows sit on the species pages.
| Game | Season type | Area | Begins | Through | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 6K, 6N | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 6K, 6N | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Northeastern Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Northeast goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Northeast goose area | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 19, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Northeastern Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Northeastern Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 6K, 6N | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 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.
West Osceola State Forest and WMU 6K: permits, antlers and harvest
For tags and dates, West Osceola State Forest is WMU 6K ground (Northern Zone, 1,161 sq. mi. across Oneida, Oswego and Lewis). The 2026 DMP target in 6K is 6,500, with 18.0% average success and med odds for a resident first permit. Bear area: Western Periphery. Fall turkey here: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | Permits | Success | Res. 1st DMP | Antler points | Deer hunting | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6K | Northern | 6,500 | 18.0% | med | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
| 6N | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Western Periphery | Oct. 1-14 |
WMU 6K deer harvest by year
WMU tables give 6K 5,072 deer for 2022, the last year DEC published by unit.
| Year | Total deer | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,960 | 2,358 |
| 2017 | 3,580 | 2,248 |
| 2018 | 4,271 | 2,530 |
| 2019 | 4,483 | 2,968 |
| 2020 | 5,300 | 2,854 |
| 2021 | 4,613 | 2,974 |
| 2022 | 5,072 | 2,892 |
Recent bear numbers for 6K: 2022: 12, 2023: 13, 2024: 17, 2025: 18.
Objective for bears in 6K: 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.
West Osceola State Forest: species list
Hunters come to West Osceola State Forest for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffed grouse above all.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Ruffed grouse
Sep 20–Feb 28
Rabbit and hare
Oct 1–Mar 21
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC west osceola state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
West Osceola State Forest access points
The DEC directions name 1 place to leave a truck at West Osceola State Forest.
| Parking or access point and coordinates | Link |
|---|---|
| Ryan Road Parking next to the Salmon River: 43.5089, -75.7590 | Navigate |
Official map sheet: West Osceola State Forest Map · Part 2
Open West Osceola State Forest in DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC west osceola state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
West Osceola State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show West Osceola State Forest and 10 neighbors; Lot 134 Forest Preserve Detached Parcel sits 2.0 mi off. The tracts listed total 10,553 acres.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | WMU | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 134 | Detached parcel | 74 | 6K | 2.0 mi | east |
| Tri-County | State forest | 1,283 | 6K | 2.0 mi | southwest |
| East Osceola | State forest | 1,964 | 6K, 6N | 2.3 mi | east |
| Lot 127 | Detached parcel | 272 | 6K | 3.1 mi | east |
| O'Hara | State forest | 1,397 | 6K | 3.9 mi | west |
| Florence Hill | State forest | 1,361 | 6K | 4.4 mi | southwest |
| Big Brook | State forest | 3,866 | 6K | 4.4 mi | southeast |
| Lot 50 | Detached parcel | 124 | 6N | 4.6 mi | north |
| Lot 69 | Detached parcel | 24 | 6N | 4.8 mi | northeast |
| Lot 98 | Detached parcel | 188 | 6N | 5.2 mi | east |
Points: DEC Lands layer (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest records behind West Osceola State Forest
The town of Redfield, where West Osceola State Forest lies, produced 105 deer in 2019 by DEC's calculation.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Adult bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfield | Oswego | 103 | 189 | 158 | 120 | 105 | 85 |
DEC bear tables list 3 for Redfield (2020), 1 for Redfield (2021), 3 for Redfield (2022).
DEC puts the 2025 Oswego County deer take at 4,250.
| Season | Deer taken | Males 1.5+ | Females 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,285 | 2,265 | 1,643 |
| 2022 | 4,776 | 2,571 | 1,655 |
| 2023 | 4,261 | 2,453 | 1,422 |
| 2024 | 4,497 | 2,592 | 1,519 |
| 2025 | 4,250 | 2,316 | 1,546 |
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.
West Osceola State Forest: nearby towns and services
Closest base: Camden, about 11 mi away.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | Oneida | 11 mi | 2,149 | 21,494 |
| Altmar | Oswego | 13 mi | – | 29,980 |
| Constableville | Lewis | 17 mi | 302 | 21,077 |
| Pulaski | Oswego | 20 mi | 2,270 | 13,089 |
Season tables by county for West Osceola State Forest: Oswego County.
West Osceola State Forest: businesses close by
For a guided hunt, DEC's list shows 42 licensed guides in Oswego County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to West Osceola 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.
West Osceola State Forest: nearest firing lines
Hunters on West Osceola State Forest can sight in at Camden Rod & Gun Club (11 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.
West Osceola State Forest 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 West Osceola State Forest.
| Day | Season | Sun up | Sun down | Big game hours | Migratory birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:56 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:01 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:09 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:39 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 6:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:05 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:30 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:37 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:59 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:29 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:29 a.m. to 8:05 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.
West Osceola State Forest in pictures
Answers on West Osceola State Forest access and seasons
When is bear season at West Osceola State Forest?
Yes: regular Season (Western Periphery) Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 (WMUs 6K, 6N).
When is spring turkey season at West Osceola State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, half an hour before sunrise to noon.
Can I use screw-in steps on West Osceola State Forest?
No screw-in steps or other hardware; a labeled portable stand may stay until season end.
How far is West Osceola State Forest from a town?
Camden, about 11 mi away.
How does access work on West Osceola State Forest?
Yes, with a New York hunting license during the open seasons.
Do I need orange or pink on West Osceola State Forest?
Yes for firearm deer and bear hunting: 250 square inches of orange or pink, or a qualifying hat.
Which WMU rules apply on West Osceola State Forest?
Northern Zone, WMU 6K.
Is West Osceola State Forest a large property?
1,897 acres, per the record.
When can I bowhunt deer on West Osceola State Forest?
Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 for early Bowhunting.
How long is deer season at West Osceola State Forest?
It opens Oct 24, 2026 and closes Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season).
What game does the source list for West Osceola State Forest?
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbit and hare, coyote and furbearers.
Are antlerless permits issued for West Osceola State Forest?
Yes. DMPs are issued by WMU, and 6K gets 6,500 in 2026.
West Osceola State Forest: what to double-check
Seasons and closures on West Osceola State Forest can change mid-season; DEC notices and posted signs have the final word.
Sources: DEC west osceola 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: tuchodi (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).