New forge state forest

[martin]

If anybody hunts this,can you give some insight as to how it is and the terrain..Plan on doing some dog hunting up there.

[campstugots]

Main logging road splits the property in half.  To the left is flat and swampy bordering a large stream.  To the right, the land is steep.  A couple of logging roads to the right that go to the peak.  No hunters for spring turkey or archery.  For rifle, it is a shooting range. 

[Dave]

Main logging road splits the property in half.  To the left is flat and swampy bordering a large stream.  To the right, the land is steep.  A couple of logging roads to the right that go to the peak.  No hunters for spring turkey or archery.  For rifle, it is a shooting range.

What county and near what town is this state land.

Dave

[campstugots]

Ancram, Columbia County

[Dave]

Thank you

Dave

[ctballos]

Hey Guys,

 

Just wondering if anything has changed with New Forge SP.  I noticed above someone mentioned you could target shoot there.  Does anyone know if this is still allowed?  I'm a small game air gun hunter looking for another place to harvest squirrels.

[EspressoBuzz]

I've gone squirrel hunting as recent as Oct-Nov of 2013. Target shooting in never allowed on state land unless at a designated range in as far as i know. However there is a range set up on the lowest of the logging roads the left most as you come into the (new forge road) parking lot. I've never used it. My impression is that most people don't bother going into the back end of this state land parcel. I'm planning on scouting the other parking lot on county route 10 this august while fishing the stream there.

 

BTW the new forge road bridge is being replaced access is from another road check your atlas!

[Caveman]

I've gone squirrel hunting as recent as Oct-Nov of 2013. Target shooting in never allowed on state land unless at a designated range in as far as i know. However there is a range set up on the lowest of the logging roads the left most as you come into the (new forge road) parking lot. I've never used it. My impression is that most people don't bother going into the back end of this state land parcel. I'm planning on scouting the other parking lot on county route 10 this august while fishing the stream there.

 

BTW the new forge road bridge is being replaced access is from another road check your atlas!

 

To the contrary, I got an email from the DEC when I asked that said target shooting is always allowed on state land as long as you don't harm living trees or break any other state or local laws relating to discharging a firearm (i.e. shooting near buildings or over roads).  

 

Edit: also forgot you can't litter such as shooting clay pidgeons or glass bottles, etc.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Wildcats160

[EspressoBuzz]

Wow didn't know that! last I was told NYS doesn't allow "promiscuous" discharge of a firearm in State Parks. However New Forge is a state forest so I'm guessing the rules are different.

[Caveman]

State Parks often have special rules so I would not be surprised to hear that. My question was specific to state forests and WMA's so there's the difference.   I asked my cousin, a Lt. in the NYS Forest Rangers, and emailed the Region 9 office to double check. 

 

I would shoot off a quick email to your regional headquarters and print off their response and carry it with you. 

 

 

[ctballos]

Wow that's exciting.  I appreciate the responses.  I may go there this weekend and scope the place out.  Of course I'll be toting the air gun just in case I come across a red squirrel or two.

 

[EspressoBuzz]

The hill directly to the right when entering the new forge rd parking lot is the best place for bushy tails but pack a rod too and hit the stream for brookies and browns. Remember the bridge over the claverack creek is OUT!

[EspressoBuzz]

Scouting the Forge for spring turkey tomorrow (Thursday 4/23) will report back.

[Vince1]

Scouting the Forge for spring turkey tomorrow (Thursday 4/23) will report back.

Wonderin how it looks up there. Gonna be in the area with the family and wonderin if its worth checkin out for deer season.

[EspressoBuzz]

oh right I never did report back. I have seen an abundance of deer, turkey and squirrel but have had little luck hunting them. The hill has plenty of squirrels and I've see bear sign, while the swampy area is where I've seen most of the deer and turkey. I have flushed a grouse almost every time I've gone walking or hunting in New Forge except when I went grouse hunting. I'll be up there in mid July and on and off again for the summer, I am looking for land or a house in Columbia county in that general area.

[Vince1]

Got up here for the weekend but had family in tow so I didn't get to do to much scouting. Locals are very nice and man I never saw so many posted signs, even on parts of the place that according to my  map belong to the park.

 

ran into the ranger and I gotta say EVERY park ranger I have met thus far have been great and very helpful, my rotty even liked im which freaked me out cause she can be moody.

 

saw a spot that was full of acorns, I mean all over the place. didn't see many old rubs in the place so its a toss up for big bucks but im a meat hunter so I figure there are prolly a lot of doe runnin around this place, and bear, saw some small bear scat and a print in mud that was maybe 5 or 6 inches not far from the scat in a depression that I can only assume was where to bear takes naps. wish I took a pic of it.

 

gonna head back up and check it out without the kids and wife in tow if she lets me, if you don't mind a tag along let me know.

[EspressoBuzz]

I'd like to get up there as soon as i can to walk the forest some more and make additional GPS markers. I want to explore the swamp to the north, there doesn't seem to be a trail from the southern most parking lot to the norther one. My last foray into the swampy area flushed a good number of grouse. FYI the forest protects the Hudson town water supply.

 

I'll take a hike there with anyone who cares to explore it with me if we can get together on the day.