Parking Wars At Stewart State Forest. Bow vs Pheasant Hunters.

[blackbeltbill]

I remember my Father telling me back in the 1990s that any Hunter wanting to hunt at Stewart State Forest for an opening day , or weekend hunt could not park in the Vehicle Line off of RT.207 (before) 5pm-- the day before their Hunt. In other words, you could not Camp there  on the (New Road) stretch for literally the full day before that Opening day.                                                                   Now, I have been an avid Biker at Stewart going way back to the mid-1990s.  Probably on Sunday-- September 30th of next month, the day before the Oct 1st opener, there will be Hunters lining their cars and trucks up starting around 8 or 9am in the morning on September 30th . My guess is that the Bow Hunters will be out and parked before many of the Pheasant Hunters  on Sunday-- September 30th.      That is why that a good 25 Hunter Parking Areas should be updated from 1 Vehicle only to 2 Vehicles and new maps should be printed out so Hunters are aware.      Now this is a good site to bring about change as many Hundreds of Guests always tune in. 

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[cynthiafu]

I don't know last year was the first time I had a pheasant hunting park on the road behind me . I sit just inside the woods on a field for deer hunting . Anyway I heard the pheasant and then I heard the dog then I heard the shot and then the bullets rained down on me . I was lucky he was shooting up high because the bush I sit in would not of stopped the pellets from hitting me in the back . I have to admit I came undone and ran up the hill and flipped out on him . The Dec officer came Thur just as the man was pulling away . 

[blackbeltbill]

Thanks for sharing Cynthiafu. TG stuff like that is rare. I too have been rained on by pellets while Pheasant hunting. Blaze Orange is so important for Pheasant and Fall Turkey Hunting as well as Deer Hunting on Public Land. I take no chances in the Fall and spend 3 Bucks on a brand new Blaze Orange hat each year.    Still if  at least 23 current parking areas had access for 2 Vehicles instead of just the current 1-- hunters would not be speeding around trying to get to a favored parking area. #78 on Clark St is now gone.   Jackson Ave -- the road that connects to Clark St. Had 3 trees down on this seldom used  side road. Hopefully there will be access to #77- because Clark St. Is now gated  at the Curve at the end of the road. Hopefully those trees will be moved soon.  

[raymerlo]

Bill,Contact me about this parking issue,[email protected] would like to discuss this privately at this point

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

Ridge Road parking area is a good place to park for Pre- season scouting. The mountain bike riders were out in Force this past Sunday.  Probably the most popular place at Stewart on the weekends for hiking or biking as you have 3 choices-- straight down Ridge Road, North on New Road, or South-- right down Maple Ave. That is a pic of the Great Swamp above. #17 Hunting parking sign is just barely holding up as can be seen.  

[blackbeltbill]

Going to post a few more pics of 2 different areas at Stewart State Forest. The following 2 pics are 1/4 mile away from each other and on different sides of the road.  I have seen Pheasants,Wild Turkeys, and Deer in these 2 areas.  Hopefully in 4 weeks time,areas like this will be updated to (2) Vehicles to a parking area as there is alot of room to hunt away from each party. I am hoping that people viewing this Thread will call in to DEC- REGION 3 and ask about a good 23 parking areas updated to (2) Vehicles . Right now- there are only 77 parking areas. #78 is gone! Pics coming up.

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

[ny hunter]

I spent hours walking those corn fields.........

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

Ok-- the pic above is from Side road - Jackson Ave.It whips around to the right and Clark St. Which is now hated off at the Curve. This is a good Bow area and Turkey area. Those downed trees are on Jackson. #77 can't be reached until these are cleared away.

[blackbeltbill]

[blackbeltbill]

Ok-- the (OLDER) Hunting Map above shows 12 Parking areas with access for 2 Vehicles. I wanted to show this map as many users of Stewart State Forest do not remember a time when there was access for 2 Vehicles at the very same parking area.    8,9 is1 Hunter parking area, 19,20--24,25---29,30---31,32---33,34---55,56---57,58---71,72---73,74---80,81---82,83.  I hope Hunters viewing this Thread will call or write in for a return to at the very least- 12 Hunter parking areas that can be updated once again to access for 2 Vehicles. I would like to see 20+ myself as Stewart is much more crowded then 20 years ago.

[blackbeltbill]

I have been seeing plenty of Cottontail Rabbits at Stewart State Forest. Indeed this area has always been pretty good if one is out after Rabbits.   They were always near the old Raincoat Factory among many other areas that featured good Pheasant and Deer Hunting.  Hunters will soon find out that the old Raincoat Factory is gone. Nice Flat field in its place now.   Soon enough Hunters will be at Stewart again.  I have good memories of arriving during the 1st week of October at before 2am.  If, I was very Lucky, I would not be too far back in the Vehicle Line. Usually by 2am-- there would be anywhere from 10--15 Vehicles parked ahead of me. For this Pheasant Hunter-- 15 Vehicles is not alot! Usually within 10 minutes-- more Headlights would head on down New Road after turning off RT. 207. I have had my best Talks with other Hunters during these hours of waiting in the Vehicle Line.  A number of us would be out and standing. Pheasant Dogs all seemed to be awake. From whines to Low and Loud Barks and some Snoring as well from Hunters Now if , I was Lucky, the majority of Hunters parked in front of me would be Bow Hunters.  By 1 hour before Sunrise when everyone fired up their engines and raced on in, I would have 3 Parking areas in mind.  Most times that worked out.   If, I arrived anywhere near 4am however, things were different! I would be 40 Vehicles back!  Stewart is just so much more popular that it was even 10 years ago. I have talked to Hunters who made the trip from Long Island!  Looking forward to a good Pheasant Season and if at least 12 Parking areas are updated to (2) Vehicles once again--- so much the better!

[blackbeltbill]

Pumpkin Patch Fields this year in some areas.

[blackbeltbill]

I am Happy to see some newly cut fields with heavy areas left alone.