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Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest for hunters
Public hunting ground in Sullivan County: access rules, WMU 3M seasons, permits, harvest and nearby land.
Photo: Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Long Path Ferguson Road Parking AreaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Summitville ParkingParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 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.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest at a glance
The records class Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest as a DEC state forest in Sullivan County. Town lines: Mamakating. Regional staff for the lower Hudson Valley (Region 3) look after it. Its 1,137 acres come from DEC Lands layer ACRES. That ranks 216th of the 409 state forests on our New York list. Its unit management plan: Shawangunk Ridge.
What DEC writes about hunting here: Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. The main game species and furbearers found on the property include small game (especially squirrels), turkey, deer, and bear. Consumption Advice for Deer and Other Game As a result of historic mining operations in the unit, four distinct surface deposits of mine tailings contaminated with lead remain on the property. High levels of lead in the environment can accumulate in wildlife.
From DEC wurtsboro ridge state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
Open seasons on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest this year
49 dated seasons for 32 species reach Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, matched to WMU 3M, the Southeastern duck zone and the Hudson Valley goose area.
| Species | Season | WMU or zone | Open | Close | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 3M | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 3M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 3M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 3M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 3M | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Firearms Season | WMU 3M | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 3M | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 3M | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 3M | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 3M | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 3M | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 3M | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 3M | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 3M | 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 | Hudson Valley goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Hudson Valley goose area | Nov 7, 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 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 3M | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 3M | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 3M | 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.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest: access and site rules
Hunters on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest work under the DEC state land use regulations:
- DEC bars permanent stands on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, along with cut shooting lanes and blinds made from living cover.
- DEC lets a marked, tree-safe portable stand sit on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest during the open season; take it home afterwards.
- Do not leave a trail camera or other belongings stashed on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest.
- Drive only on maintained roads on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest; ATVs are limited to routes DEC designates.
- Check whether your stay needs a camping permit before you pitch a tent.
Rules from the state guide, on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
- Pink counts the same as orange; firearm deer and bear hunters need 250 square inches or a qualifying hat.
- Keep 500 feet from occupied houses and farm buildings with a gun (250 feet with a crossbow, 150 feet with a bow) unless the owner consents.
- Feeding deer or bear is prohibited at any time, and baited areas are off limits.
- Sunday is a hunting day under state law.
From DEC wurtsboro ridge state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Where to park at Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
Access to Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest starts at 1 DEC parking point.
| Access point, GPS | Link |
|---|---|
| Ferguson Road Parking Area is located near intersection with Pickles Road and Shawanga Lodge Road: 41.6063, -74.4264 | Route |
Paper map to print: Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest Map · DECinfo Locator · Shawangunk Ridge Trail
Parking points and maps from DEC wurtsboro ridge state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest: species list
Game listed for Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest: white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel and small game.
White-tailed deer
Nov 21–Dec 13
Black bear
Nov 21–Dec 13
Wild turkey
May 1–May 31
Squirrel
Sep 1–Feb 28
Small game
Oct 1–Feb 28
Furbearers
Oct 25–Feb 15
Species from DEC wurtsboro ridge state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Deer permits and harvest in the WMU over Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
3M is the Wildlife Management Unit over Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest; it covers 749 square miles in Orange, Ulster and Sullivan. DMPs are unlimited in 3M for 2026. For bears, 3M falls in the Southern Zone area. Fall turkey dates for 3M: Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | Avg. success | Chance, resident | APR | Weapons | Bear zone | Fall season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 7.9% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
3M deer numbers
Deer take in 3M: 6,781 in 2016, 4,887 in 2022.
| Season | Deer | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6,781 | 2,880 |
| 2017 | 6,123 | 2,553 |
| 2018 | 6,501 | 2,837 |
| 2019 | 6,323 | 3,024 |
| 2020 | 6,013 | 2,546 |
| 2021 | 4,510 | 2,023 |
| 2022 | 4,887 | 2,199 |
Bears taken in 3M: 99 in 2020, 61 in 2021, 90 in 2022, 66 in 2023, 92 in 2024, 93 in 2025.
DEC's bear objective for 3M: 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.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest and the public land around it
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest gets the large pin; the closest neighbor is Roosa Gap State Forest, 2.6 mi north. The listed neighbors hold 10,830 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Unit | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosa Gap | State forest | 1,184 | 3M | 2.6 mi | north |
| Shawangunk Ridge | State forest | 1,538 | 3J, 3M | 4.7 mi | northeast |
| Bashakill | WMA | 3,090 | 3M | 6.0 mi | southwest |
| Ulster | Detached parcel | 471 | 3C, 3H | 6.2 mi | northeast |
| Painter Hill | Multiple use area | 104 | 3H | 6.8 mi | north |
| Oak Ridge | Multiple use area | 96 | 3H | 7.4 mi | north |
| Wolf Brook | Multiple use area | 559 | 3K | 8.6 mi | west |
| Gobbler's Knob | State forest | 304 | 3M | 9.1 mi | southwest |
| Highland Lakes | State park | 3,123 | 3M | 9.3 mi | southeast |
| Sullivan | Detached parcel | 361 | 3H, 3K | 9.5 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest trip planning
From Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, Wurtsboro is 2.4 mi by straight line.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wurtsboro | Sullivan | 2.4 mi | 1,086 | 14,492 |
| Bridgeville | Sullivan | 9.8 mi | – | 13,521 |
| Watchtower | Ulster | 9.9 mi | – | 5,134 |
| Napanoch | Ulster | 12 mi | – | 19,085 |
The county guide covering Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest: Sullivan County.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest: businesses close by
Licensed guides based in Sullivan County: 13, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
Nearest DEC desks for Wurtsboro Ridge 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.
Local deer numbers for Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest
In 2019, the final year DEC printed town totals, Mamakating came in at 327 deer.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 adult bucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mamakating | Sullivan | 281 | 335 | 314 | 374 | 327 | 214 |
Town bear take: Mamakating 2020: 39, Mamakating 2021: 10, Mamakating 2022: 10.
Sullivan County as a whole recorded 4,872 deer in 2025.
| Year | Total | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Nearest public range for Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest hunters
Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range is the nearest public range to Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, about 56 miles away. Closer club ranges are shown as well.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest shooting hours by key date
Big game legal light at Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest brackets sunrise and sunset by 30 minutes; migratory birds open 30 minutes before sunrise and stop at sunset.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal for big game | Legal for ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest in pictures
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest FAQ for 2026-27
How far is Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest from a town?
Wurtsboro (2.4 mi).
May I hang a stand for the season on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Portable and labeled, never nailed or screwed in; remove it after the season.
What are the blaze orange rules at Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Firearm deer and bear hunters must wear orange or pink above the waist.
What hours apply on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Big game 30 minutes either side of sunrise and sunset; migratory birds end at sunset.
Can I hunt Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest with just a hunting license?
Yes. It is open to licensed hunters in season, and the fee is free.
What size do the sources give Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Its size is 1,137 acres.
Which WMU rules apply on Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
WMU 3M; that puts it in the Southern Zone.
What deer season covers Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026, per the 2026-27 guide.
Is there an early bow season at Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
The first bow window is Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
Which animals are named for Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
The list names white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, small game and furbearers.
What are the spring turkey dates for Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Spring season runs May 1 to May 31, 2027; hours end at noon.
When is bear season at Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest?
Bear season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 in WMU 3M.
Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest: confirm these before you go
Print the Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest map, carry your license and tags, and read the posted signs at the parking area.
Sources: DEC wurtsboro ridge 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: fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0); jacopast (CC BY-SA 2.0); Garden State Hiker (CC BY 2.0).