WMU 4H, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 4
- Area
- 283 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 9
Draw odds for Black Beararen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 1,529
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for Black Bear, White-tailed Deer so far. Deer, Turkey, Bear also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedWMU 4H covers the rolling farm-forest terrain of eastern Columbia and northwestern Dutchess counties along the Hudson Valley's east shore, offering one of southeastern New York's better deer hunting opportunities with consistently high antler production from a mix of agricultural fields and hardwood forest. Hunters can access substantial public land through Taconic State Park (14,400 acres straddling Columbia and Dutchess counties), DEC state forests, and scattered Wildlife Management Areas, with the added bonus of bear and turkey seasons running concurrently. Note that Columbia County permits rifles while Dutchess County portions of the unit are shotgun/muzzleloader only.
Rolling hills and ridgelines of the Taconic Range transition to fertile farm valleys and mixed hardwood-agricultural landscape in eastern Columbia and northwestern Dutchess counties. Elevations range from roughly 200 to 2,000 feet on Taconic ridge crests. Cover types include mature hardwood stands (oak, maple, beech), brushy field edges, apple orchards, dairy farm woodlots, and wetland edges along tributary streams draining west toward the Hudson. This farm-forest mosaic supports high deer densities and good mast production.
moderate
WMU 4H is in the Southern Zone and has DMP (Deer Management Permit) quota available for 2026 — it is not among the no-quota units for 2026. Hunters can apply for up to 2 DMPs in quota WMUs. WMU 4H does not have antler restrictions (unlike neighboring 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, 4W). The 2026 earn-a-second-buck system applies statewide: one Antlered Deer Tag included with license, second antlered tag earned by reporting an antlerless harvest.
DEER: Southern Zone seasons — Archery: Oct 1–Nov 20 and Dec 14–22 and Dec 26–Jan 1; Youth Firearms: Oct 10–12; Regular Firearms: Nov 21–Dec 13; Muzzleloader: Dec 14–22 and Dec 26–Jan 1. Columbia County (west portion of unit): rifles legal. Dutchess County (east portion): shotgun and muzzleloader only. BEAR: Southern Zone standard season — Archery: Oct 1–Nov 20 and Dec 14–22; Regular Firearms: Nov 21–Dec 13; Muzzleloader: Dec 14–22. WMU 4H is NOT in the early bear season zone (Sept 12–27) which is limited to WMUs 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R, 4W. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–31 (half-hour before sunrise to noon, 2 bearded birds/season, 1/day, turkey permit required); Fall Southern Zone: Oct 17–30 (shotgun or archery). No firearm restrictions on turkeys in this unit.
Large Taconic State Park public land block provides excellent access for deer, bear, and turkey; high deer density farm-forest edge habitat; bear present with standard Southern Zone season; good spring turkey population in hardwood ridges; rifle legal in Columbia County portions (shotgun/muzzleloader only in Dutchess County portions); no antler restrictions in 4H unlike several neighboring units.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 4H— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about WMU 4H.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: NYSDEC official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.