WMU 4C, New York

Catskill foothills and low ridgelines in Sullivan County; mix of second-growth hardwood (oak, maple, beech), hemlock ravines, open creek bottoms, and regenerating timber cuts. Elevations range from roughly 800 to 2,500 feet. The Willowemoc and Neversink River drainages carve productive valleys through the unit. Cover is dense and the terrain is rugged enough to hold deer and bear away from casual pressure.

Low to moderate. Catskill terrain filters out casual hunters. Public land parcels are large enough to find solitude, especially after the first week of the regular firearms season. Archery season sees lighter pressure than firearms opener.

WMU 4C falls under New York Southern Zone deer regulations. Antlered deer tag included with hunting license. Antlerless access via Deer Management Permits (DMPs) — 4C historically carries a quota (not an unlimited/no-quota WMU as of 2025 DMP data). Under 2026 regulation changes, hunters may apply for up to 4 DMPs (2 in WMUs with quotas, 2 in no-quota WMUs); an Earn-a-2nd-Buck incentive system is also in effect statewide for 2026. Check DEC DMP quota tables annually at dec.ny.gov for current 4C allocation.

DEER: Southern Zone seasons — Archery: Oct 1–Nov 14 and Dec 8–16 plus Dec 26–Jan 1; Regular Firearms: Nov 15–Dec 7; Muzzleloader: Dec 8–16 and Dec 26–Jan 1 (no WMU 4C muzzleloader restriction noted, unlike 3S/4J/8C). One antlered tag per season; antlerless via DMP. BEAR: Southern Zone — Early archery bear: Oct 1–Nov 14 (WMU 4C is not listed among the early-September restricted-WMU list, so standard archery season applies); Regular bear season runs concurrent with regular deer season mid-November through early December. The Catskills including Sullivan County hold huntable bear numbers. TURKEY (Spring): Statewide Southern Zone — May 1–May 31; shooting hours 30 min before sunrise to noon; two bearded birds per season, one per day. TURKEY (Fall): Fall turkey season open in upstate New York including Sullivan County; shooting hours sunrise to sunset. No Long Island firearms restrictions apply — WMU 4C is mainland Southern Zone.

Large contiguous blocks of public Forest Preserve land including Willowemoc Wild Forest and Mongaup Valley WMA provide real backcountry hunting. Black bear season is open — the Catskill region supports a healthy bear population hunted under Southern Zone rules. Spring and fall turkey hunting both available. No Long Island-style firearm restrictions — all legal methods (rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader) are permitted. Deer density in the Catskill foothills rewards hunters who scout hardwood ridge mast crops in October.