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State forest · central New York
Hunting Winona State Forest
Seasons and access for hunting in Oswego County and 1 more.
Photo: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Winona State Forest
Winona State Forest: size, towns and manager
Listed as a DEC state forest, Winona State Forest lies in Jefferson and Oswego counties. On the ground it lies within Lorraine and Boylston. The DEC region is Region 7 (central New York). It measures 9,234 acres, per DEC Lands layer ACRES. Size rank: 8th of 409 state forests. DEC groups it in the Winona planning unit.
In DEC's words: Wildlife Management Unit : 6K and 6N
From DEC winona state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Winona State Forest
Winona State Forest hunting calendar
Season windows for Winona State Forest, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 6K, 6N and the Northeastern waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
How you may hunt Winona State Forest
DEC state land rules for state forests, multiple use areas and similar tracts apply on Winona State Forest:
- A stand on Winona State Forest cannot be fixed to a tree with nails or bolts, and lanes may not be cut.
- Label any portable stand on Winona State Forest with your name and address or hunting license number; it can stay through the season but must be gone at its close.
- Leaving gear, cameras included, on Winona State Forest breaks the state land rules.
- No motor vehicle leaves the maintained roads on Winona State Forest unless DEC designates the route.
- Camping is allowed under the state land rules, with a permit when one is required.
Additional access notes: Wildlife Management Unit : 6K and 6N DEC State Forest rules (DEC Places to Hunt page): no cutting or injuring trees (no permanent stands, natural blinds, shooting lanes or hardware in trees); tree stands/blinds that do not injure trees and are tagged with the owner's name and address or hunting license number may be placed during the season but must be removed at season end; no storing personal property (incl. trail cameras); no motor vehicles off maintained roads or ATVs unless designated; camping permit when required.
New York rules that apply on Winona State 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 winona state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Winona State Forest
Winona State Forest has 5 listed parking spots on the DEC page.
| Lot or pull-off | Map |
|---|---|
| CCC Parking: 43.7128, -75.9706 | Directions |
| Bargy Road Parking: 43.6609, -75.9649 | Directions |
| Wart Road Parking: 43.6570, -75.9991 | Directions |
| West side of Bargy Road (north: 43.7101, -75.9736 | Directions |
| East side of Bargy Road (middle: 43.6963, -75.9758 | Directions |
Boundary map file: Winona State Forest North Map · Winona State Forest South Map
Parking points and maps from DEC winona state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 6K rules that reach Winona State Forest
WMU 6K is the unit that counts for Winona State Forest: Northern Zone, 1,161 square miles, in Oneida, Oswego and Lewis. 6,500 Deer Management Permits are the 2026 goal for 6K (average success 18.0%; resident first DMP: med). Bear rules in 6K follow the Western Periphery area. 6K fall turkey season: Oct. 1-14.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | 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 |
6K: deer by season
The 6K deer take moved from 3,960 (2016) to 5,072 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | 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 |
6K bear take by year: 2020 11; 2021 8; 2022 12; 2023 13; 2024 17; 2025 18.
6K bear objective: 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.
Winona State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Around Winona State Forest lie 10 more public tracts; Little John WMA is the closest (5.0 mi). Combined: 41,490 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little John | WMA | 7,921 | 6K, 6N | 5.0 mi | east |
| Trout Brook | State forest | 626 | 6K | 5.9 mi | south |
| Gould Corners | State forest | 2,065 | 6K | 7.2 mi | north |
| Sandy Creek | State forest | 538 | 6K | 8.1 mi | southwest |
| Chateaugay | State forest | 4,047 | 6K | 8.3 mi | south |
| Stave Mill | State forest | 3,128 | 6K | 9.2 mi | southeast |
| Battle Hill | State forest | 1,730 | 6K, 6N | 10 mi | southeast |
| Tug Hill | State forest | 12,268 | 6K, 6N | 10 mi | northeast |
| Lakeview | WMA | 3,444 | 6G | 11 mi | west |
| Sears Pond | State forest | 5,723 | 6N | 12 mi | east |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Winona State Forest: nearby towns and services
Head to Lorraine, 5.0 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorraine | Jefferson | 5.0 mi | – | 34,980 |
| Belleville | Jefferson | 9.7 mi | – | 12,437 |
| Pulaski | Oswego | 12 mi | 2,270 | 13,089 |
| Altmar | Oswego | 13 mi | – | 29,980 |
County pages that list Winona State Forest: Jefferson County, Oswego County.
Winona State Forest: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 42 in Oswego County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Winona 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.
Winona State Forest: town and county harvest
Deer take for the town of Lorraine reached 223 in 2019, per DEC.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorraine | Jefferson | 172 | 198 | 178 | 213 | 223 | 136 |
| Boylston | Oswego | 85 | 106 | 95 | 73 | 100 | 62 |
Black bears by town: Boylston, 2021, 2.
Across Oswego County, DEC counted 4,250 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Winona State Forest: nearest firing lines
Mad River Club is the closest listed range to Winona State Forest, about 4 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Winona State 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 | 6:56 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.
Winona State Forest in pictures
Winona State Forest: short answers
Is there a spring gobbler season at Winona State Forest?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
How many DMPs are there for the WMU around Winona State Forest?
6,500 DMPs are targeted for 6K, with 18.0% average success.
How far is Winona State Forest from a town?
Lorraine is 5.0 mi away.
Is Winona State Forest in a bear hunting area?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 (regular Season (Western Periphery)).
Does the orange law apply on Winona State Forest?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Are tree stands allowed on Winona State Forest?
Only portable stands: no hardware in trees, label it, take it out when the season closes.
What do I need to hunt Winona State Forest?
Open in season to anyone with a New York hunting license.
How early can I shoot deer on Winona State Forest?
Half an hour before sunrise for deer and bear; spring turkey ends at noon.
Which unit sets deer dates for Winona State Forest?
6K, a Northern Zone unit.
What does Winona State Forest measure?
9,234 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Winona State Forest?
Early Bowhunting: Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Winona State Forest?
The regular Season runs Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026.
Winona State Forest: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Winona State Forest before the drive.
Sources: DEC winona 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: andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).