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Chenango County base town
State land and WMU dates near Smithville Flats, NY
State land in reach of Smithville Flats with miles and acres, the Chenango County WMUs and their 2026-27 dates, DMP odds, deer take and the processors near town.
Photo: A nearby stand-in from Long Pond State Forest, 0.6 mi from Smithville Flats. andyarthur (CC BY 2.0)
Chenango County, in central New York, takes in the hamlet (a Census-designated place) of Smithville Flats. The nearest edge of Long Pond State Forest lies less than a mile out from Smithville Flats, so it was chosen as the base town. Of the towns near Genegantslet State Forest, Smithville Flats is the closest base, with the boundary 2 miles out. A 10-mile reach from Smithville Flats holds roughly 22,393 mapped public acres on 13 tracts. The shortest straight line from Smithville Flats runs to Long Pond State Forest, its nearest boundary less than a 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 Smithville Flats, New York
Chenango County units around Smithville Flats
The WMUs over Chenango County are 7M, 7P and 4O (Southern Zone). The closest public land, Long Pond State Forest, is in WMU 7M, so those dates govern a first trip. In 4O a buck must carry 3 or more points of at least 1 inch on one antler, on public and private land alike. 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 and South areas.
| WMU | Of county | Zone | Bow season | Firearms | Muzzleloader | Bear | Fall turkey | Target | 1st-choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7M Nearby | 54% | 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 | – |
| 7P | 42% | Southern | Oct 1–Nov 20 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Dec 14–Dec 22 Dec 26–Jan 1 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Oct. 17-30 | 3,000 | Med | – |
| 4O | 4% | Southern | Oct 1–Nov 20 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Dec 14–Dec 22 Dec 26–Jan 1 | Nov 21–Dec 13 | Oct. 17-30 | 2,100 | PP Req | 3 pts |
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.
Smithville Flats 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 6,913 acres, McDonough State Forest outsizes every other tract near Smithville Flats. For state forest hunting, try Long Pond State Forest and Genegantslet State Forest.
| Name | Land type | Manager | Unit | Nearest line | Center point | Size (ac) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Pond State Forest 0.6 mi NW Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 0.6 mi | 2.2 mi | 3,185 | Pheasants stocked |
| Genegantslet State Forest 1.7 mi NE Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 1.7 mi | 4.5 mi | 3,202 | – |
| Five Streams State Forest 3.2 mi N Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 3.2 mi | 6.7 mi | 6,375 | – |
| Triangle State Forest 3.2 mi W | State forest | DEC | 7M | 3.2 mi | 4.2 mi | 663 | – |
| Red Brook State Forest 4.4 mi N | State forest | DEC | 7M | 4.4 mi | 4.8 mi | 602 | – |
| Ludlow Creek State Forest 4.6 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 7M | 4.6 mi | 6.6 mi | 3,197 | – |
| McDonough State Forest 7.2 mi NE | State forest | DEC | 7M | 7.2 mi | 10 mi | 6,913 | – |
| Bobell Hill State Forest 7.7 mi SE | State forest | DEC | 7P | 7.7 mi | 9.9 mi | 2,158 | – |
| Whitney Point Multiple Use Area 8.1 mi W | Corps lake MUA | DEC | – | 8.1 mi | 8.2 mi | 732 | Pheasants stocked |
| Balsam Swamp State Forest 8.9 mi N Main area | State forest | DEC | 7M | 8.9 mi | 10 mi | 2,679 | – |
| Coventry State Forest 9.1 mi E | State forest | DEC | 7P | 9.1 mi | 10 mi | 1,169 | – |
| Gee Brook State Forest 9.2 mi NW | State forest | DEC | 7M | 9.2 mi | 10 mi | 865 | – |
| Papish Pond Multiple Use Area 9.5 mi NW | Multiple use area | DEC | 7M | 9.5 mi | 10.0 mi | 191 | – |
Getting onto the land around Smithville Flats
- Long Pond State Forest (0.6 mi). Look for it in the town of Smithville, Chenango County. Parking areas listed: 5; maps: 1.
- Genegantslet State Forest (1.7 mi). The tract sits in the towns of McDonough and Smithville, Chenango County.
- Five Streams State Forest (3.2 mi). DEC places it in the town of German, Chenango County. 1 parking spot and 1 downloadable map are on file with DEC.
- Triangle State Forest (3.2 mi). It lies in the town of Triangle, Broome 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 Smithville Flats. Checked October 27, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Harvest figures behind Smithville Flats
5,123 deer were taken in Chenango County in 2025, the 14th highest county figure. Peak season since 2007: 2008 (6,169 deer). The 2022 WMU table puts 7M at 7,666 deer. Chenango County bear numbers: 2020 9, 2021 7, 2022 5. 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 | 5,234 | 2,940 | 1,690 | 604 |
| 2024 | 5,528 | 3,121 | 1,829 | 578 |
| 2025 | 5,123 | 2,757 | 1,918 | 448 |
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 Smithville Flats
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. Shaffs Custom Meats is marked on the DEC list as taking donated venison. Closest bear cooperator on the DEC list: Vrablic Taxidermy.
| Kind | 15 mi | 35 mi | Closest listing | Distance | In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer cutting | 3 | 11 | Beaver Bob's Custom Deer Cutting | 7.3 mi S | Chenango Forks |
| Taxidermists | 4 | 15 | Mortenson's Taxidermy Studio | 5.1 mi SE | Greene |
| Hunting retailers | 4 | 32 | RJK Gun Stuff | 10 mi SW | Whitney Point |
| Guide businesses | 0 | 4 | Ringneck Preserve | 26 mi W | Candor |
| Clerk offices | 11 | 59 | Town of Smithville | at town NE | Smithville Flats |
Deer cutting
Taxidermists
Hunting retailers
Guide businesses
Clerk offices
The state guide list counts 4 hunting guides in Chenango 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 Smithville Flats hunters
WMU lines, not county lines, set most New York dates. Rows marked with a WMU apply only in that part of Smithville Flats.
| Species | Season | Covers | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | WMU 4O | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 4O | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMUs 7M, 7P | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMUs 7M, 7P | 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 | September season | South 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 | South goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 11, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 4O | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| 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 Smithville Flats 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 | 7:25 a.m. | 6:08 p.m. | 6:55 a.m.–6:38 p.m. | 6:55 a.m.–6:08 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:00 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:30 a.m.–5:07 p.m. | 6:30 a.m.–4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:24 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:54 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 6:54 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:32 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:02 a.m.–5:09 p.m. | 7:02 a.m.–4:39 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:58 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:28 a.m.–8:30 p.m. | 5:28 a.m.–8:00 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 Smithville Flats
Checked October 27, 2026. Within about 30 miles there are 5 upcoming events, covering NWTF chapter banquet, Whitetails Unlimited banquet and hunter education course.
Upcoming here
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Hunter Education Course – South New Berlin Fire Department · hunter education course | 12 | South New Berlin Fire Department | Register with DEC | Source |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Whitetails Unlimited Cortland County Chapter Banquet · Whitetails Unlimited banquet | 24 | Cortland Country Music Park | Event details | Source |
| Jan 9, 2027 | NYS Chapter Conservation Celebration NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 21 | Binghamton | Get tickets | Source |
| Feb 27, 2027 | Cortland Limbhangers NWTF Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 24 | Cortland | Get tickets | Source |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Catskill Strutters Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 22 | Sidney | Get tickets | Source |
Smithville Flats shooters: nearest ranges
Smithville Flats 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 Smithville Flats
DEC offices handle permits and wildlife questions; licenses sell online, by phone and at town clerks and license agents.
NYSDEC Region 7 Kirkwood Sub-Office, 24 mi off to the south
NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-Office, 25 mi away
From the DEC statewide office list (services.json; Region 9 phones from the DEC permit administrators page), checked October 27, 2026.
Smithville Flats hunting FAQ
Can I get a Deer Management Permit near Smithville Flats?
Target 20,200, resident first-choice odds High (WMU 7M, 2026). DMP success averages 14.4%.
Which deer season applies around Smithville Flats?
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.
When can I hunt turkeys near Smithville Flats?
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 Smithville Flats?
There is no Sunday ban in New York; hunt any day the season is open.
Where do I report a harvest from Chenango 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 Smithville Flats 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 Smithville.
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 Chenango 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 Smithville Flats hunter get a deer cut and wrapped?
Beaver Bob's Custom Deer Cutting, about 7.3 mi out, handles deer closest to Smithville Flats. Hours change with the season.
Which public land is the shortest drive from Smithville Flats?
Closest is Long Pond State Forest, its nearest boundary less than a mile out. Genegantslet State Forest holds the number two spot on the Smithville Flats distance list.
How far from houses must I be to shoot near Smithville Flats?
With a gun stay 500 feet from homes, schools and churches; bows need 150 feet and crossbows 250 feet.
How much public ground can Smithville Flats hunters reach within 10 miles?
The 10-mile overlay around Smithville Flats totals roughly 22,393 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.
Smithville Flats trip checklist
Before leaving Smithville Flats, confirm the WMU dates, any park or DEP permit, and the closed areas for Chenango County.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bobolink (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0); OhLizz (CC BY-SA 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0); grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0).