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Madison County base town
State land and WMU dates near DeRuyter, NY
State land in reach of DeRuyter with miles and acres, the Madison County WMUs and their 2026-27 dates, DMP odds, deer take and the processors near town.
Photo: A nearby stand-in from Labrador Hollow Unique Area, 7.0 mi from DeRuyter. andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Madison County, in central New York, takes in the village of DeRuyter. The nearest edge of Mariposa State Forest lies 1 mile out from DeRuyter, so it was chosen as the base town. Of the towns near Cuyler Hill State Forest, DeRuyter is the closest base, with the boundary 3 miles out. Its 2024 Census estimate is 418 people. A 10-mile reach from DeRuyter holds roughly 39,722 mapped public acres on 21 tracts. The shortest straight line from DeRuyter runs to Mariposa State Forest, its nearest boundary 1 mile out.
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer, population from the Census Vintage 2024 estimates; public acreage and boundary miles within 10 miles are a GIS measure over DEC Lands, Finger Lakes National Forest and USFWS boundaries (places.json). Closed areas from the guide closed big game areas. Checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around DeRuyter, New York
Madison County units around DeRuyter
The WMUs over Madison County are 7M, 7J and 7F (Southern Zone). The closest public land, Mariposa State Forest, is in WMU 7M, so those dates govern a first trip. Unlimited and bonus DMPs apply in 7J and 7F. New for 2026, reporting an antlerless deer taken on a DMP, Bow/Muzz Antlerless or DMAP tag earns a second Antlered Deer Tag. Ducks follow the Southeastern zone here; Canada geese the East Central area.
| WMU | Of county | Zone | Bow season | Firearms | Muzzleloader | Bear | Fall turkey | Target | 1st-choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7M Nearby | 53% | Southern | Oct 1–Nov 20 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Dec 14–Dec 22 Dec 26–Jan 1 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Oct. 17-30 | 20,200 | High | – |
| 7J | 31% | Southern | Oct 1–Nov 20 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Dec 14–Dec 22 Dec 26–Jan 1 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Oct. 17-30 | Unlimited | 100% | – |
| 7F | 15% | Southern | Oct 1–Nov 20 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Dec 14–Dec 22 Dec 26–Jan 1 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Oct. 17-30 | Unlimited | 100% | – |
WMU shares and 2026-27 dates from the DEC WMU season layer (counties.json); DMP targets and odds from the DEC 2026 DMP table; antler, bowhunting-only and rifle rules from the 2026-27 guide; bear areas and fall turkey from the guide bear pages. Checked October 27, 2026.
DeRuyter to state land, mile by mile
Rows run by nearest boundary, then center miles; every land page lists parking, access rules and the WMU.
At 5,816 acres, Beaver Meadow State Forest outsizes every other tract near DeRuyter. For state forest hunting, try Mariposa State Forest and Cuyler Hill State Forest. Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area is the nearest WMA or wildlife tract, managed for game and open to hunting.
| Name | Land type | Manager | Unit | Nearest line | Center point | Size (ac) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariposa State Forest 1.0 mi SE Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 1.0 mi | 3.2 mi | 3,082 | – |
| Cuyler Hill State Forest 2.7 mi S Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 2.7 mi | 5.8 mi | 5,635 | – |
| Three Springs State Forest 2.8 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 7M | 2.8 mi | 3.6 mi | 839 | – |
| Maxon Creek State Forest 3.2 mi SW | State forest | DEC | 7M | 3.2 mi | 4.4 mi | 905 | – |
| DeRuyter State Forest 3.5 mi N | State forest | DEC | 7M | 3.5 mi | 4.2 mi | 972 | – |
| Muller Hill State Forest 4.1 mi E Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 4.1 mi | 5.5 mi | 3,063 | – |
| Morgan Hill State Forest 4.7 mi W | State forest | DEC | 7M | 4.7 mi | 6.1 mi | 5,307 | – |
| Lincklaen State Forest 4.9 mi S Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 4.9 mi | 7.2 mi | 4,631 | – |
| Bucks Brook State Forest 5.8 mi SE Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 5.8 mi | 7.2 mi | 2,178 | – |
| Dog Hollow State Forest 6.0 mi SW | State forest | DEC | 7M | 6.0 mi | 6.7 mi | 729 | – |
| Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area 6.3 mi NE | WMA | DEC | 7M | 6.3 mi | 7.8 mi | 3,903 | Pheasants stocked |
| Morrow Mountain State Forest 6.5 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 7M | 6.5 mi | 7.5 mi | 1,290 | – |
| Labrador Hollow Unique Area 7.0 mi W | Unique area | DEC | 7M | 7.0 mi | 8.3 mi | 1,477 | Permit hunts |
| Kettlebail State Forest 7.5 mi W | State forest | DEC | 7M | 7.5 mi | 8.2 mi | 579 | deer, turkey |
| Taylor Valley State Forest 7.8 mi SW | State forest | DEC | 7M | 7.8 mi | 10 mi | 4,762 | – |
| Otselic State Forest 8.1 mi SE | State forest | DEC | 7M | 8.1 mi | 9.3 mi | 1,041 | – |
Getting onto the land around DeRuyter
- Mariposa State Forest (1.0 mi). Look for it in the towns of Lincklaen and DeRuyter, Madison County. Parking areas listed: 1; maps: 1.
- Cuyler Hill State Forest (2.7 mi). The tract sits in the towns of Cuyler and Taylor, Cortland and Chenango Counties. Plan on 1 listed lot, with 1 DEC map to download.
- Three Springs State Forest (2.8 mi). DEC places it in the town of DeRuyter, Madison County. 1 parking spot and 1 downloadable map are on file with DEC.
- Maxon Creek State Forest (3.2 mi). It lies in the town of Cuyler, Cortland County.
Lands, acreage, WMUs and access from DEC property pages, the DEC WMU layer, NYS Parks, NYC DEP and federal pages (lands.json); boundary distances inside 10 miles from places.json; center distances are straight lines from the Census point for DeRuyter. Checked October 27, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Harvest figures behind DeRuyter
3,669 deer were taken in Madison County in 2025, the 29th highest county figure. Peak season since 2007: 2013 (5,616 deer). The 2022 WMU table puts 7M at 7,666 deer. Madison County bear numbers: 2019 1, 2020 1, 2021 1. WMU 7M had 1 bears in DEC’s 2025 summary. The 2026 spring turkey estimate for the East Appalachian Plateau WMU group is 2,049.
| Season | Total | Adult bucks | Adult does | Fawns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,783 | 1,826 | 1,435 | 522 |
| 2024 | 3,872 | 1,863 | 1,520 | 489 |
| 2025 | 3,669 | 1,669 | 1,621 | 379 |
Deer take from DEC deer reports (latest county table); bear from the DEC bear take by town and county and the 2025 bear harvest summary; spring turkey from the DEC turkey WMU aggregate layer. Figures are DEC calculated take, printed as DEC labels them. Checked October 27, 2026.
Processors, taxidermy and shops for DeRuyter
New York licenses taxidermists but publishes no list of them, so the taxidermists here come from DEC’s bear cooperator list and directory listings. Call before you drive. Tenhave's Deer Processing is marked on the DEC list as taking donated venison.
| Kind | 15 mi | 35 mi | Closest listing | Distance | In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer cutting | 0 | 13 | Tenhave's Deer Processing | 17 mi NW | Jamesville |
| Taxidermists | 1 | 16 | Legends of Fall Taxidermists | 12 mi W | Tully |
| Hunting retailers | 6 | 45 | Maken Frenz Plus Bait N Tackle Shop | at town NE | Deruyter |
| Guide businesses | 0 | 3 | Cold Brook Hunts | 16 mi W | Homer |
| Clerk offices | 14 | 74 | Town of Deruyter | at town E | Deruyter |
Deer cutting
Taxidermists
Hunting retailers
Guide businesses
Clerk offices
The state guide list counts 10 hunting guides in Madison County. Guide list
Processors from the DEC 2026 deer and bear processor list and Yellow Pages; bear cooperators from the DEC cooperating bear taxidermists and processors list; clerks from the DEC license issuing agents dataset; shops from Yellow Pages and store locators. Checked October 27, 2026; hours were not checked.
Dated hunts open to DeRuyter hunters
WMU lines, not county lines, set most New York dates. Rows marked with a WMU apply only in that part of DeRuyter.
| Species | Season | Covers | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMUs 7F, 7J | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | All WMUs here | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | All WMUs here | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | All WMUs here | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | All WMUs here | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | All WMUs here | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | All WMUs here | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | All WMUs here | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | All WMUs here | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | All WMUs here | Dec 14, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | All WMUs here | 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 | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | All WMUs here | 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 | |
| Frogs | Hunting | Statewide | Jun 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
From the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation), WMU lists as printed, checked October 27, 2026.
Legal light for DeRuyter hunters
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.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:54 a.m. | 6:53 p.m. | 6:24 a.m.–7:23 p.m. | 6:24 a.m.–6:53 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:58 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:28 a.m.–7:16 p.m. | 6:28 a.m.–6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:26 a.m. | 6:08 p.m. | 6:56 a.m.–6:38 p.m. | 6:56 a.m.–6:08 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:02 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:32 a.m.–5:06 p.m. | 6:32 a.m.–4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:26 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:56 a.m.–4:59 p.m. | 6:56 a.m.–4:29 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:33 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:03 a.m.–5:08 p.m. | 7:03 a.m.–4:38 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:58 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 5:28 a.m.–8:32 p.m. | 5:28 a.m.–8:02 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.
Upcoming hunting events close to DeRuyter
Checked October 27, 2026. Within about 30 miles there are 4 upcoming events, covering DU gun raffle, NWTF chapter banquet, Whitetails Unlimited banquet and sportsman show.
Upcoming here
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Whitetails Unlimited Cortland County Chapter Banquet · Whitetails Unlimited banquet | 18 | Cortland Country Music Park | Event details | Source |
| Jan 22–24, 2027 | New York Sportsman's Expo 2027 · sportsman show | 23 | Exposition Center Syracuse | Event details | Source |
| Jan 29, 2027 | Region 6-90th Anniversary BENELLI BONANZA · DU gun raffle | 29 | Liverpool | Get tickets | Source |
| Feb 27, 2027 | Cortland Limbhangers NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 18 | Cortland | Get tickets | Source |
Gun ranges near DeRuyter
DeRuyter shooters have these three closest, each card with its access rule.
Straight-line miles from the town center; ranges checked October 27, 2026.
DEC desks within reach of DeRuyter
DEC offices handle permits and wildlife questions; licenses sell online, by phone and at town clerks and license agents.
NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-Office, 18 mi off to the southwest
NYSDEC Region 7 Headquarters (Syracuse), 22 mi away
From the DEC statewide office list (services.json; Region 9 phones from the DEC permit administrators page), checked October 27, 2026.
DeRuyter hunting FAQ
When can I hunt turkeys near DeRuyter?
WMU 7M fall dates are Oct. 17-30; the spring season opens May 1 with hours ending at noon.
What bear rules apply in WMU 7M?
WMU 7M is in the Southern Zone bear area; the regular bear season there is Nov. 21 – Dec. 13.
How does Sunday hunting work around DeRuyter?
There is no Sunday ban in New York; hunt any day the season is open.
Where do I report a harvest from Madison County?
Report within 48 hours with a paper tag, or right away with an e-tag, using the HuntFishNY app, the web or 1-866-426-3778.
Which clerk near DeRuyter sells hunting licenses?
Licenses sell online and by phone through DECALS/HuntFishNY, and at town clerks and license agents. Nearest listed clerk is Town of Deruyter.
Is fluorescent pink legal for New York deer hunters?
Anyone hunting deer or bear with a firearm must wear 250 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least 50% orange or pink.
Does Madison County have CWD?
CWD has not been found in wild deer since 2005. Bring only deboned meat, clean skull caps and antlers from out of state.
Where can a DeRuyter hunter get a deer cut and wrapped?
Tenhave's Deer Processing, about 17 mi out, handles deer closest to DeRuyter. Hours change with the season.
Which public land is the shortest drive from DeRuyter?
Closest is Mariposa State Forest, its nearest boundary 1 mile out. Cuyler Hill State Forest holds the number two spot on the DeRuyter distance list.
How far from houses must I be to shoot near DeRuyter?
With a gun stay 500 feet from homes, schools and churches; bows need 150 feet and crossbows 250 feet.
How much public ground can DeRuyter hunters reach within 10 miles?
The 10-mile overlay around DeRuyter totals roughly 39,722 acres of state and federal hunting land.
Can I get a Deer Management Permit near DeRuyter?
Target 20,200, resident first-choice odds High (WMU 7M, 2026). DMP success averages 14.4%.
Which deer season applies around DeRuyter?
WMU 7M: bowhunting Oct. 1 – Nov. 20, regular firearms Nov. 21 – Dec. 13, muzzleloader Dec. 14 – Dec. 22, Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. Check the WMU table for the rest of the county.
Answers drawn from the sources in each section above; reporting from the guide reporting page; orange and Sunday rules from the guide big game page; setbacks from ECL 11-0931; CWD from DEC CWD page. Checked October 27, 2026.
DeRuyter trip checklist
Before leaving DeRuyter, confirm the WMU dates, any park or DEP permit, and the closed areas for Madison County.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0); Chris Sorge (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma (CC BY-SA 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0).