New Forge State Forest?

[uberyan]

Spent a few days researching areas in Dutchess county only to find out it's no rifle there. 

I'm looking for somewhat closer places that don't require crossing the Hudson which means Columbia county.

New Forge State Forest looks like a nice sized plot to stalk/still hunt on.

Problem is there's very little info to be found on it, it doesn't even have its own page on the DEC website.

I think I was able to figure out the parking area location from Google satellite but that's about it.

Anyone have any experience with this place?

Only other place I can see in Columbia county is Beebe Hill which also did not have much info.

[Deerstalker]

23 minutes ago, uberyan said:

Spent a few days researching areas in Dutchess county only to find out it's no rifle there. 

I'm looking for somewhat closer places that don't require crossing the Hudson which means Columbia county.

New Forge State Forest looks like a nice sized plot to stalk/still hunt on.

Problem is there's very little info to be found on it, it doesn't even have its own page on the DEC website.

I think I was able to figure out the parking area location from Google satellite but that's about it.

Anyone have any experience with this place?

Only other place I can see in Columbia county is Beebe Hill which also did not have much info.

Went there this summer the road that goes in was closed off so i parked and took a walk but did not find the lot was just passing thro  its suppost to be on new  forge rd but it was closed off and its a crappy dirt road . Looks like the yokels want the place for them selfs lots of fences around there 

Edited November 28, 2016 by Deerstalker

[uberyan]

Hmm. Perhaps that's why it doesn't have anything on the DEC site. Not very promising.

I was trying to stay away from Orange county spots since they're usually more crowded but I may not have a choice. Maybe I'll try out Pochuck...

[Deerstalker]

1 hour ago, uberyan said:

Hmm. Perhaps that's why it doesn't have anything on the DEC site. Not very promising.

I was trying to stay away from Orange county spots since they're usually more crowded but I may not have a choice. Maybe I'll try out Pochuck...

You may be able to get in from the other side of new forge road the side away from the Taconic if you no what i mean 

27 to new forge road .

I went from the other end  road was  closed off .

I did not have time to check if you could get in  from the other side  that day . 

For me thats a 2 hour drive and in to hours im in the caskills  much more land to explore so i never botherd to go back.

Edited November 28, 2016 by Deerstalker

[diplomat019]

Went there last season for grouse.    The roads can be very confusing as far as parking.  I did a lot of wandering to find the lot.  The guys are correct on the closed road.  Luckily i ran into some people who pointed me in the right direction.   

 

If ur gonna drive to new forge you might as well go to the southern Catskills.   Just pay the toll lol.  

[Deerstalker]

1 hour ago, diplomat019 said:

Went there last season for grouse.    The roads can be very confusing as far as parking.  I did a lot of wandering to find the lot.  The guys are correct on the closed road.  Luckily i ran into some people who pointed me in the right direction.   

 

If ur gonna drive to new forge you might as well go to the southern Catskills.   Just pay the toll lol.  

Thats what i do also  you can go from 684 to taconic and get to the caskills with out paying tolls  if you have a good gps for me its not really much longer 

[diplomat019]

10 minutes ago, Deerstalker said:

Thats what i do also  you can go from 684 to taconic and get to the caskills with out paying tolls  if you have a good gps for me its not really much longer 

Really? I thought The hudson river bridges all have a toll as far as i know.  Mid hudson.  Kingston-rhinecliff.  Rip van winkle.   Its only like 1.50 if im correct.  Those r the ones that i normally take to cross the river  

 new forge seems like some nice land.  Only hunted it sparingly but it looked like it would hold deer   

 

 

 

 

 

[Deerstalker]

13 minutes ago, diplomat019 said:

Really? I thought The hudson river bridges all have a toll as far as i know.  Mid hudson.  Kingston-rhinecliff.  Rip van winkle.   Its only like 1.50 if im correct.  Those r the ones that i normally take to cross the river  

 new forge seems like some nice land.  Only hunted it sparingly but it looked like it would hold deer   

 

 

 

 

 

Yea your right i forget only one way pays eastbound mid hundson Bridge 1.50 

 

 

[uberyan]

Haha. It's not about the tolls. It's more of trying to avoid the cross Bronx or tappan zee. 

Much easier and less prone to traffic if I could just shoot north up the taconic.

planning on making a short trip, late morning till sunset sort of deal so I won't be able to be on the road in the wee hours when there's no traffic. 

[Deerstalker]

2 hours ago, uberyan said:

Haha. It's not about the tolls. It's more of trying to avoid the cross Bronx or tappan zee. 

Much easier and less prone to traffic if I could just shoot north up the taconic.

planning on making a short trip, late morning till sunset sort of deal so I won't be able to be on the road in the wee hours when there's no traffic. 

Go from 684 to 84 east  or to taconic route and croos mid hutson Bridge   if you want to avoid traffic that is what i do i avoid the tapz Bridge like a disease its usally messed  up that way with traffic . Or time it so you come back late after rush hour if you go that way 

[uberyan]

I think I've narrowed it down to the following:

New Forge

Pochuck

Roosa Gap

 

All three are within 2-2.5 hrs for me and are acreages that are small enough to be able explore somewhat thoroughly.

I was in the Catskills last week and it's just way too massive. Not to mention the area I was in was very steep terrain with just the smallest basin areas.

Someday I'll have to figure out where in the Catskills to hunt, then again I've been hearing that there is very little success to be had in the Catskills, not sure if it's even worth it. Definitely good if low pressure is your main concern I guess.

[Deerstalker]

38 minutes ago, uberyan said:

I think I've narrowed it down to the following:

New Forge

Pochuck

Roosa Gap

 

All three are within 2-2.5 hrs for me and are acreages that are small enough to be able explore somewhat thoroughly.

I was in the Catskills last week and it's just way too massive. Not to mention the area I was in was very steep terrain with just the smallest basin areas.

Someday I'll have to figure out where in the Catskills to hunt, then again I've been hearing that there is very little success to be had in the Catskills, not sure if it's even worth it. Definitely good if low pressure is your main concern I guess.

Use the terrain feature on your gps there are parts of caskills  that are not that hilly  if you look at the topo maps