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Wild forest · the lower Hudson Valley
Hunting Willowemoc Wild Forest
Seasons and access for hunting in Sullivan County and 1 more: white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey.
Photo: Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Willowemoc Wild Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Willowemoc Wild Forest
- TrailheadTrailhead · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 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.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a Forest Preserve wild forest, Willowemoc Wild Forest lies in Sullivan and Ulster counties. On the ground it lies within Neversink, Rockland, Hardenburgh and Denning. The DEC region is Region 3 (the lower Hudson Valley). It measures 15,534 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 21st of 35 wild forests. DEC groups it in the Willowemoc planning unit.
In DEC's words: Wildlife Management Unit : 3A and 3H Willowemoc Wild Forest is open for hunting during appropriate seasons. Hunting is a traditional use that is encouraged within the Forest Preserve. This area supports a thriving black bear population and stable white-tail deer population, both of which are hunted in the fall. The eastern wild turkey is hunted in both spring and fall.
From DEC willowemoc wild forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Willowemoc Wild Forest
Willowemoc Wild Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Willowemoc Wild Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 3A, 3H, 4W and the Southeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | 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 | 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 | 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 | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMUs 3A, 3H, 4W | 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.
How you may hunt Willowemoc Wild Forest
Willowemoc Wild Forest is Forest Preserve land under the State Land Use Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 190):
- Open seasons apply on Willowemoc Wild Forest; only posted spots are closed.
- Leave trees on Willowemoc Wild Forest untouched by saws, nails and screws.
- A designated campsite or a spot 150 feet off roads, trails and water is required.
New York rules that apply on Willowemoc Wild Forest too
- Firearm deer and bear hunters, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least half orange or pink.
- Mind the 500-foot firearm setback from dwellings and farm buildings near the boundary.
- Bait, salt licks and mineral attractants are illegal for deer and bear, and feeding them is banned year-round.
- Sundays are open statewide; only a site rule can close them.
From DEC willowemoc wild forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Willowemoc Wild Forest
Willowemoc Wild Forest has 6 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| Black Bear Road Trailhead is in the town of Denning, Ulster County, two miles northwest of Claryville: 41.9748, -74.5790 | Directions |
| Long Pond Trailhead is in the town of Neversink, Sullivan County, on Flugertown Road, three miles northeast of Willowemoc: 41.9382, -74.6479 | Directions |
| Mongaup Pond Campground is in the town of Rockland, Sullivan County. From Route 17 (Quickway) at Exit 96, take County Roads 81 and 82 east to DeBruce, turn left onto Fish Hatchery Road and drive north three miles to the campground. A day-use fee must be paid to enter the campground May-December, when it is open: 41.9573, -74.6912 | Directions |
| Frick Pond Trailhead is in the town of Rockland, Sullivan County. Follow directions to Mongaup Pond Campground (see above). From Fish Hatchery Road, turn left onto Beech Mountain Road (one mile south of campground), then drive one-quarter mile: 41.9573, -74.6912 | Directions |
| Upper Parking Area: 41.9675, -74.8297 | Directions |
| Lower Parking Area: 41.9618, -74.8321 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Willowemoc Wild Forest Map
Wheelchair access, per DEC: From the Waneta Lake Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Fishing/viewing area: Picnic area; and Portable toilet (seasonal)
Parking points and maps from DEC willowemoc wild forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Willowemoc Wild Forest game species
5 game groups are named for Willowemoc Wild Forest; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Coyote
Oct 1–Mar 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC willowemoc wild forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 3A rules that reach Willowemoc Wild Forest
WMU 3A is the unit that counts for Willowemoc Wild Forest: Southern Zone, 694 square miles, in Ulster, Greene and Sullivan. The DMP table gives 3A 175 permits in 2026 and rates resident odds "LO/DV". Antler restrictions cover 3A, so a legal buck has 3 points on a side. Bear rules in 3A follow the Southern Zone area. 3A fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3A | Southern | 175 | – | LO/DV | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 3H | Southern | 4,000 | 19.3% | high | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
| 4W | Southern | 2,100 | 17.6% | high | Yes | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3A: deer by season
The 3A deer take moved from 774 (2016) to 915 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 774 | 652 |
| 2017 | 803 | 662 |
| 2018 | 912 | 775 |
| 2019 | 897 | 749 |
| 2020 | 1,077 | 893 |
| 2021 | 935 | 812 |
| 2022 | 915 | 715 |
3A bear take by year: 2020 80; 2021 101; 2022 58; 2023 70; 2024 56; 2025 95.
3A bear objective: reduce 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.
Willowemoc Wild Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Willowemoc Wild Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Conklin Brook DEP unit is the closest (5.6 mi). Combined: 17,974 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conklin Brook | Watershed unit | 250 | 3H | 5.6 mi | southeast |
| Balsam Lake Mountain | Wild forest | 13,615 | 3A | 6.0 mi | northeast |
| Blue Hill | Watershed unit | 311 | 3A | 7.4 mi | southeast |
| Smith Road | Watershed unit | 91 | 3H | 7.4 mi | south |
| West Neversink | Watershed unit | 1,212 | 3H | 7.5 mi | southeast |
| Rehor Road | Watershed unit | 197 | 3A, 4W | 8.1 mi | north |
| Barkaboom | Watershed unit | 144 | 4W | 8.4 mi | northwest |
| Schumway Road | Watershed unit | 171 | 3H | 8.5 mi | southeast |
| Bungalow Brook | Watershed unit | 42 | 3A | 8.6 mi | southeast |
| East Neversink | Watershed unit | 1,941 | 3H | 8.7 mi | southeast |
Points: DEC Lands layer (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Roscoe, 10 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roscoe | Sullivan | 10 mi | – | 29,592 |
| Grahamsville | Sullivan | 12 mi | – | 47,226 |
| Margaretville | Delaware | 13 mi | 492 | 39,451 |
| Downsville | Delaware | 16 mi | – | 31,805 |
County pages that list Willowemoc Wild Forest: Sullivan County, Ulster County.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 13 in Sullivan County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Willowemoc Wild 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.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Neversink reached 440 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neversink | Sullivan | 347 | 329 | 433 | 413 | 440 | 227 |
| Rockland | Sullivan | 240 | 245 | 245 | 246 | 316 | 225 |
| Hardenburgh | Ulster | 97 | 96 | 112 | 103 | 118 | 92 |
| Denning | Ulster | 106 | 100 | 104 | 123 | 108 | 89 |
Black bears by town: Neversink, 2020, 14; Neversink, 2021, 7; Neversink, 2022, 9; Rockland, 2020, 11; Rockland, 2021, 7; Rockland, 2022, 7.
Across Sullivan County, DEC counted 4,872 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,371 | 2,768 | 1,359 |
| 2022 | 4,740 | 3,108 | 1,332 |
| 2023 | 4,689 | 2,863 | 1,226 |
| 2024 | 5,254 | 3,148 | 1,691 |
| 2025 | 4,872 | 2,906 | 1,550 |
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.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: nearest firing lines
Catskill Mountain Archery is the closest listed range to Willowemoc Wild Forest, about 11 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: first and last legal light
Spring turkey hunting ends at noon, fall turkey and upland birds run sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:50 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:54 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:20 a.m. | 6:06 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:55 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:18 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:26 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:57 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 8:25 p.m. | 5:27 a.m. to 7:55 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.
Willowemoc Wild Forest in pictures
Willowemoc Wild Forest: short answers
What species go with Willowemoc Wild Forest?
Named game: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, coyote and furbearers.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Willowemoc Wild Forest?
175 DMPs are targeted for 3A, with None average success.
Is Willowemoc Wild Forest in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Is there a spring gobbler season at Willowemoc Wild Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
Are tree stands allowed on Willowemoc Wild Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
How far is Willowemoc Wild Forest from a town?
Roscoe is 10 mi away.
What do I need to hunt Willowemoc Wild Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
Does the orange law apply on Willowemoc Wild Forest?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Willowemoc Wild Forest?
3A, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Willowemoc Wild Forest measure?
15,534 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Willowemoc Wild Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Willowemoc Wild Forest?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Willowemoc Wild Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Willowemoc Wild Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC willowemoc wild 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: TonySprezzatura (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0); jacopast (CC BY-SA 2.0); Garden State Hiker (CC BY 2.0).