Finger Lakes State Parks Announce Hunting Schedule

Fred Bonn, Regional Director of the Finger Lakes State Parks, has announced the 2025–2026 hunting schedule for the region’s state parks.

For all hunting listed below, hunters must check with the park office to obtain a self-issue permit and must follow the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hunting and Trapping Guide for current dates and additional rules.

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Parks with No Hunting Allowed

• Allan H. Treman State Marine Park
• Beechwood State Park
• Black Diamond Trail
• Canandaigua State Marine Park
• Catharine Valley Trail (except: one-mile section near Montour Falls closed for 4 weeks during gun season)
• Honeoye Lake State Marine Boat Launch
• Indian Hills State Golf Course
• Jennings Pond
• Lodi Point State Park
• Sonnenberg Gardens State Historic Site
• Springbrook Greens State Golf Course

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Parks with Hunting Allowed

Bonavista State Golf Course

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow)
  • Pre-register at Sampson Park Office.
  • Sign in/out daily at the maintenance barn; record harvest.
  • Limited to one hunter per zone, first-come, first-serve (5 zones).
• Turkey
  • Fall turkey hunting is bow and crossbow only.

Buttermilk Falls State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow)
  • Daily sign-in at park office or upper contact station.
  • Hunting allowed only in designated sections (see park hunting map).
  • Special park permit required — available at parks.ny.gov.

Cayuga Lake State Park (including Lewis’s Point)

• Duck, Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Brant
  • Late season only.
  • All hunters must hunt from boats launched at the Boat Launch.
  • No shore launching.
  • Possession of firearms on State Park property prohibited.

Chimney Bluffs State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — no hunting until after Columbus Day.
• Deer (Shotgun & Muzzleloader) — rifles prohibited (except muzzleloaders in designated areas).
• Duck, Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Brant, Turkey, Small Game — no hunting until after Columbus Day.
• Self-issue permit available at park kiosk near restrooms.

Connecticut Hill

• Deer (Archery, Crossbow, Shotgun, Muzzleloader)
  • No gun hunting during Columbus Day Youth Season.
• Turkey & Small Game allowed.

Dean’s Cove State Marine Park

• Duck, Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Brant — late season only, boat access required.

Fair Haven Beach State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — special permit required; reservations open September 20, 2025.
• Duck, Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Brant — no hunting until after Columbus Day; hunting only at Federal Pier & Sterling Creek.

Fillmore Glen State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — participates in Youth Firearms Season.
• Deer (Muzzleloading) — allowed during shotgun and special late season. No shotgun or rifle.

Ganondagan State Historic Site

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — allowed dawn–9 a.m. only.
• Permit required from Seneca Arts & Culture Center (issued day before).

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area

• Deer (Archery, Crossbow, Shotgun, Muzzleloader) — restrictions apply:
  • Not open during September 13–21 antlerless season.
  • No hunting after Dec. 7, 2025.
  • No hunting in Reynolds Gull area.
  • Rifles prohibited.
  • Permit required (available at parks.ny.gov).

Juniper Pond

• Deer (Archery, Crossbow, Shotgun, Muzzleloader) — rifles prohibited.
• Duck, Geese, Brant, Turkey, Small Game — allowed (per DEC rules).

Keuka Lake State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — participates in Youth Firearms Season.
• Deer (Shotgun & Muzzleloader) — shotgun only in Area B.
• Waterfowl (Duck, Canada Geese) — late season only.
• Turkey (Spring & Fall) — spring south of West Bluff Road (Area B); fall bow only.
• Small Game — allowed in Area B during select dates.

Long Point State Park

• Deer, Waterfowl, Small Game — special DEC permit required from King Ferry Check Station (315-364-7777).

Mark Twain State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — park permit required.
• Small Game — not allowed during deer season.

Newtown Battlefield Reservation State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — self-issued park-specific permit required; sign in/out daily.

Pinnacle State Park

• Deer (Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader) — muzzleloader allowed during shotgun and late season; no shotgun or rifle.
• Turkey & Small Game — allowed.

Robert H. Treman State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — upper area only; permit required.
• Turkey & Small Game — restrictions apply.

Sampson State Park

• Deer (Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader) — permits required; lottery system for shotgun season. Rifles prohibited (except muzzleloaders in designated areas).
• Duck (Late Season) — permit required; sign-in/out required.
• Turkey — spring (zone-specific) & fall (bow only).
• Small Game — not allowed during deer season.

Seneca Lake State Park

• Duck, Canada Geese, Snow Geese — late season only; boat hunting only.

Stony Brook State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — east side of gorge only; permit required.
• Does not participate in Youth Firearms Season.

Taughannock Falls State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — participates in Youth Firearms Season. Permit required.
• Designated hunting sections only.

Two Rivers State Park

• Deer (Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader) — sign in/out at Romtek bathroom. Self-issued permit required.
• Muzzleloader allowed during shotgun and late season; no shotgun or rifle.

Watkins Glen State Park

• Deer (Archery & Crossbow) — bow hunting on west side of railroad; east side opens Nov. 1.
• Turkey (Spring only) — hunting in western portion of park.

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General Rules & Reminders

• All portable tree stands must display owner’s name, address, and phone number.
• Tree stands must be removed at the end of the season (unless noted).
• Safety zones and restricted areas are posted to protect park visitors.
• Handguns are not permitted in any State Park.
• Trapping is not allowed in Finger Lakes State Parks.
• A valid NYS hunting license with proper credentials must be carried at all times.

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