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Jefferson County base town
State land and WMU dates near Lorraine, NY
State land in reach of Lorraine with miles and acres, the Jefferson County WMUs and their 2026-27 dates, DMP odds, deer take and the processors near town.
Photo: A nearby stand-in from Tug Hill State Forest, 2.0 mi from Lorraine. philmofresh (CC BY 2.0)
Jefferson County, in the western Adirondacks, Tug Hill and the St. Lawrence Valley, takes in the hamlet (a Census-designated place) of Lorraine. The nearest edge of Gould's Corners State Forest lies less than a mile out from Lorraine, so it was chosen as the base town. Of the towns near Winona State Forest, Lorraine is the closest base, with the boundary 1 mile out. A 10-mile reach from Lorraine holds roughly 34,980 mapped public acres on 9 tracts. The shortest straight line from Lorraine runs to Winona State Forest, its nearest boundary 1 mile out.
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer; 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 Lorraine, New York
Jefferson County units around Lorraine
The WMUs over Jefferson County are 6G, 6A, 6H, 6K, 6N and 6C (Northern Zone). The closest public land, Winona State Forest, is in WMU 6K, so those dates govern a first trip. The law bars DMPs in WMU 6N. 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 Northeastern zone here; Canada geese the Northeast area.
| WMU | Of county | Zone | Bow season | Firearms | Muzzleloader | Bear | Fall turkey | Target | 1st-choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6G | 45% | Northern | Sept 27–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct 17–Oct 23 Dec 7–Dec 13 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct. 1-14 | 21,000 | High | – |
| 6A | 8% | Northern | Sept 27–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct 17–Oct 23 Dec 7–Dec 13 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct. 1-14 | 2,300 | PP Req | – |
| 6H | 8% | Northern | Sept 27–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct 17–Oct 23 Dec 7–Dec 13 | Sept 19–Dec 6 | Oct. 1-14 | 600 | Med | – |
| 6K Nearby | 4% | Northern | Sept 27–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct 17–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct. 1-14 | 6,500 | Med | – |
| 6N | 3% | Northern | Sept 27–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct 17–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct. 1-14 | None by law | NA | – |
| 6C | 2% | Northern | Sept 27–Oct 23 | Oct 24–Dec 6 | Oct 17–Oct 23 Dec 7–Dec 13 | Sept 19–Dec 6 | Oct. 1-14 | 3,800 | Med | – |
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.
Lorraine 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 12,268 acres, Tug Hill State Forest outsizes every other tract near Lorraine. For state forest hunting, try Winona State Forest and Tug Hill State Forest. Little John 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winona State Forest 1.3 mi S Main area | State forest | DEC | 6K, 6N | 1.3 mi | 5.0 mi | 9,234 | – |
| Tug Hill State Forest 2.0 mi E Main area | State forest | DEC | 6G, 6K | 2.0 mi | 7.5 mi | 12,268 | – |
| Gould Corners State Forest 2.3 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 6K | 2.3 mi | 2.3 mi | 2,065 | deer, waterfowl |
| Little John Wildlife Management Area 3.7 mi SE Main area | WMA | DEC | 6N | 3.7 mi | 6.9 mi | 7,921 | deer, waterfowl |
| Honeyville Wildlife Management Area 7.0 mi N | WMA | DEC | 6G | 7.0 mi | 7.3 mi | 111 | deer, ruffed grouse |
| Sears Pond State Forest 8.5 mi E Main area | State forest | DEC | 6N | 8.5 mi | 10 mi | 5,723 | – |
| Granger State Forest 8.6 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 6K | 8.6 mi | 9.2 mi | 737 | – |
| Lookout State Forest 9.7 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 6K | 9.7 mi | 11 mi | 3,983 | – |
| Pinckney State Forest 9.9 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 6K | 9.9 mi | 11 mi | 2,100 | – |
| Trout Brook State Forest 11 mi S | State forest | DEC | 6K | 10+ mi | 11 mi | 626 | deer, rabbit/hare |
Getting onto the land around Lorraine
- Winona State Forest (1.3 mi). Look for it in the town of Lorraine, Jefferson County and Town of Boylston, Oswego County. Parking areas listed: 5; maps: 5.
- Tug Hill State Forest (2.0 mi). The tract sits in the towns of Rodman and Worth, Jefferson County;Town of Pinckney, Lewis County.
- Gould Corners State Forest (2.3 mi). DEC places it in the towns of Rodman and Lorraine, Jefferson County.
- Little John Wildlife Management Area (3.7 mi). It lies in the towns of Lorraine and Worth, Jefferson County; Towns of Boylston and Redfield, Oswego County. Plan on 10 listed lots, with 1 DEC map to download. DEC shows it open year-round with a free fee.
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 Lorraine. Checked October 27, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Harvest figures behind Lorraine
6,226 deer were taken in Jefferson County in 2025, the 8th highest county figure. Peak season since 2007: 2020 (8,559 deer). DEC’s take-by-town tables, which stop at 2019, list the town of Lorraine: 223 deer in 2019, 136 of them adult bucks. The 2022 WMU table puts 6K at 5,072 deer. Jefferson County bear numbers: 2020 31, 2021 23, 2022 27. WMU 6K had 18 bears in DEC’s 2025 summary. Town-level bear take for the town of Lorraine: 2 in 2015. The 2026 spring turkey estimate for the Tug Hill Transition WMU group is 682.
| Season | Total | Adult bucks | Adult does | Fawns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6,673 | 3,893 | 2,340 | 440 |
| 2024 | 6,871 | 3,930 | 2,436 | 505 |
| 2025 | 6,226 | 3,219 | 2,375 | 632 |
| Season | Deer, town of Lorraine | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 172 | 99 |
| 2016 | 198 | 126 |
| 2017 | 178 | 124 |
| 2018 | 213 | 124 |
| 2019 | 223 | 136 |
Deer take from DEC deer reports (latest county table, take by town 2007-2019); 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 Lorraine
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. Miller's Meat Market is marked on the DEC list as taking donated venison.
| Kind | 15 mi | 35 mi | Closest listing | Distance | In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer cutting | 0 | 6 | Nolt's Processing | 24 mi E | Lowville |
| Taxidermists | 1 | 6 | Boylston Taxidermy Studios | 8.6 mi S | Lacona |
| Hunting retailers | 5 | 27 | Worthington's Gun Shop | 8.5 mi SW | Mannsville |
| Guide businesses | 0 | 2 | Lowlands Whitetails | 19 mi E | Lowville |
| Clerk offices | 6 | 32 | Town of Rodman | 5.8 mi N | Rodman |
Deer cutting
Taxidermists
Hunting retailers
Guide businesses
Clerk offices
The state guide list counts 39 hunting guides in Jefferson 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 Lorraine hunters
WMU lines, not county lines, set most New York dates. Rows marked with a WMU apply only in that part of Lorraine.
| Species | Season | Covers | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | All WMUs here | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading (antlered deer only) | WMU 6N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading (deer of either sex) | WMUs 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H, 6K | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | All WMUs here | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMUs 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMUs 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N | Sep 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMUs 6C, 6H | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | All WMUs here | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Early Muzzleloading | WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Western Periphery) | WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, 6N | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 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 | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | All WMUs here | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | All WMUs here | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 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 | 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 | 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 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMUs 6A, 6C, 6G, 6H, 6N | 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 | |
| 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 Lorraine 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 | 6:56 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–7:25 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:00 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:30 a.m.–7:17 p.m. | 6:30 a.m.–6:47 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:08 p.m. | 6:59 a.m.–6:38 p.m. | 6:59 a.m.–6:08 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:06 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:36 a.m.–5:04 p.m. | 6:36 a.m.–4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:31 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 7:01 a.m.–4:57 p.m. | 7:01 a.m.–4:27 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:39 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:09 a.m.–5:06 p.m. | 7:09 a.m.–4:36 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:57 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:27 a.m.–8:35 p.m. | 5:27 a.m.–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.
Upcoming hunting events close to Lorraine
Checked October 27, 2026. Within about 30 miles there are 2 upcoming events, covering DU dinner and Wheelin' Sportsmen hunt.
Upcoming here
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Salmon River Strutters Archery Deer Hunt · Wheelin' Sportsmen hunt | 25 | Mexico | Event details | Source |
| Jan 30, 2027 | Lewis County Banquet · DU dinner | 23 | Elks Lodge Lowville | Get tickets | Source |
Gun ranges near Lorraine
Lorraine 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 Lorraine
DEC offices handle permits and wildlife questions; licenses sell online, by phone and at town clerks and license agents.
NYSDEC Region 6 Headquarters (Watertown), 14 mi off to the north
NYSDEC Region 6 Lowville Sub-Office, 24 mi away
From the DEC statewide office list (services.json; Region 9 phones from the DEC permit administrators page), checked October 27, 2026.
Lorraine hunting FAQ
Can I get a Deer Management Permit near Lorraine?
Target 6,500, resident first-choice odds Med (WMU 6K, 2026). DMP success averages 18.0%.
Which deer season applies around Lorraine?
WMU 6K: bowhunting Sept. 27 – Oct. 23, regular firearms Oct. 24 – Dec. 6, muzzleloader Oct. 17 – Oct. 23. Check the WMU table for the rest of the county.
When can I hunt turkeys near Lorraine?
WMU 6K fall dates are Oct. 1-14; the spring season opens May 1 with hours ending at noon.
What bear rules apply in WMU 6K?
WMU 6K is in the Western Periphery bear area; the regular bear season there is Oct. 24 – Dec. 6.
How does Sunday hunting work around Lorraine?
There is no Sunday ban in New York; hunt any day the season is open.
Where do I report a harvest from Jefferson 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 Lorraine 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 Rodman.
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 Jefferson 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 Lorraine hunter get a deer cut and wrapped?
Nolt's Processing, about 24 mi out, handles deer closest to Lorraine. Hours change with the season.
Which public land is the shortest drive from Lorraine?
Closest is Winona State Forest, its nearest boundary 1 mile out. Tug Hill State Forest holds the number two spot on the Lorraine distance list.
How far from houses must I be to shoot near Lorraine?
With a gun stay 500 feet from homes, schools and churches; bows need 150 feet and crossbows 250 feet.
How much public ground can Lorraine hunters reach within 10 miles?
The 10-mile overlay around Lorraine totals roughly 34,980 acres of state and federal hunting land.
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.
Lorraine trip checklist
Before leaving Lorraine, confirm the WMU dates, any park or DEP permit, and the closed areas for Jefferson County.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); Fyn Kynd (CC BY 2.0); Bobolink (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0); GerryT (CC BY 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); nayukim (CC BY 2.0).