New to this region and looking to hike new areas this winter

[gruffian]

Hello to All,

 

                I’m new to these boards. I’m just an old dog bow hunter from Vermont looking to hunt more of New York this year. I spend a lot of time in the Lake George Region Adirondacks although I’ve not tagged a buck there in a few years. I’m looking to hike some new areas in Region 3 (looking at Orange County but open to ideas!) and was wondering if anyone could offer advice for Bow Hunting on public land. Does public land get a lot of pressure during the bow season? I’m sure it does for gun. Anyone hunt Pochuck Mountain State Forrest? Can a bow hunter avoid being run over by fellow sportsmen trying their luck?

[Elmo]

Welcome to the forum.  I have not hunted Pochuck but scouted there.  Was told it's an orange army during gun season.  Can validate that claim myself...just what I heard from the grapevine.

[DirtTime]

So do you want info on Yates Co., Delaware Co., or Orange Co. ?

 

You have three posts for info on areas that are hours apart and have different rules for deer hunting.

 

http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/31613-planning-to-hike-into-kerryville-state-forrest/

 

http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/31600-hoping-to-hike-into-italy-hill-sf-or-high-tor-wma-in-yates-county/

 

 

 

[gruffian]

I am looking at Steuben, Yates, Livingston, Madison, Delaware and Orange counties. Heading to yates this weekend but I have no experience with any of these areas........

[DirtTime]

I would look up the areas you plan to hit and see what they have to offer. Not on the DEC site, but the actual public land sites for the areas.

 

Pretty sure there are a lot of people here who hunt those areas and might offer help.

[martin]

Orange county is aweful, delaware is good, I didn't see Berne county which wwould be closer to you. Not sure about other areas. You need to also get a NYcity reseviour tag to hunt and hike on there land.

[gruffian]

Didn't realize I needed a permit to hike public land in Orange County. Wow! Berne County....that's Albany right? I hadn't really considered it because I figured that if I'm going to drive 2 hours, I might as well drive 3 or 3-1/2 hours and hunt areas with higher deer densities.....at least that's what I've read. Have you hunted Berne?  Any suggestions?

[Elmo]

Didn't realize I needed a permit to hike public land in Orange County. Wow! Berne County....that's Albany right? I hadn't really considered it because I figured that if I'm going to drive 2 hours, I might as well drive 3 or 3-1/2 hours and hunt areas with higher deer densities.....at least that's what I've read. Have you hunted Berne?  Any suggestions?

 

Martin is referring to the Watershed lands which are owned by the city of New York thus not necessarily "public" per say.  They're city owned and used for their reservoir system.  Those lands you need a permit to hike on but the permit is free.

 

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/recreation/access.shtml

[martin]

Thanks Elmo for clarifying. Berne county is near albany. I have hunted there and it's pretty good hunting. Not hunted heavily. I'll fill you in more, getting late

[gruffian]

Thanks for the clarification Elmo and thanks for the info martin. I appreciate it!

[Bowguy 1]

Pochuck is small n seems often crowded. I live minutes from there n don't hunt it

[grampy]

There is a town of Berne in Albany county. In that area of Berne, there is Partridge Run, that is state land. Lots of land for hiking and hunting. Both can be very good there! I know of two nice bucks taken there last deer season. And I took one there myself a few years ago. I would say it's also less crowded than some of the downstate places you mentioned. Good luck and welcome to the site!

[Two Track]

I'm not really into bow hunting, but in Orange County, it is not crowded during bow season.  It is the gun season (especially the first week that it is crowded).

 

Pochuck was very crowded on the first two days of gun season - 12-14 vehicles there.

 

Stewart Bufferlands - not very crowded during bow season (except tough to get into spots near known turkey areas and stocked pheasants).  Gun season for deer requires a reservation for first 3 days.

 

For Sterling Forest hiking is free, hunting requires a $5 permit.  Some areas are bow only for hunting.

 

Tried Storm King Mountain 3-4 years ago - had a few hikers with dogs off leash (not one hiker with dogs, but multiple hikers with dogs) during deer gun season, never been back since then.

 

Not sure for hunting, but you can also hike Huckleberry Ridge.

 

If you just want to do a hike, there is Harriman State Park/Bear Mountain, lots of trails and the AT passes through it - no hunting there at all, but there are many areas with great views (in every season)  if you just want to get away to hike nad back-country camp

Edited February 17, 2016 by Two Track

[gruffian]

Hey, thanks for the info. I assumed most areas would be hunted hard during gun season. I like bowhunting because there is "usually" less competition for spots. When trying to find new spots, particularly when you have to drive 3-4 hours, the help is very much appreciated!