WMU 4S, New York

Limestone escarpment plateau country in the Helderberg Hills of Albany and Greene counties. Elevation ranges from roughly 600 to nearly 2,000 feet. Dominated by mature northern hardwoods — oak, maple, beech — with hemlock drainages, open agricultural fields in the hilltowns, and rocky limestone outcrops. Classic escarpment topography creates thermal thermals, deer staging areas on benches, and thick laurel-and-fern cover in ravines.

moderate

Antlerless deer tags (DMPs) have historically been available in WMU 4S — the unit is not among those with zero DMP quota. DMP applications open in August; the unit typically receives a limited quota reflecting a healthy but managed herd. Mandatory Antler Point Restriction (APR) in effect: legal buck must have at least 3 points (all 1 inch+) on one antler. Youth hunters (ages 12–16) are exempt from the APR. Bow/muzzleloader antlerless tags are also available. Under 2026 regulation changes, hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer become eligible for a second antlered tag.

DEER — Southern Zone seasons apply: Archery Sept 27–Oct 24 and Dec 8–14; Early Muzzleloader Oct 18–24; Regular (firearms) Oct 25–Dec 7; Holiday Hunt (late bow/muzzleloader) Dec 26–Jan 1. Mandatory 3-point APR on one antler. DMPs available most years (apply August). All legal firearms permitted during regular season — no shotgun-only restriction. BEAR — Black bears present and harvest density increasing per DEC 2025 Bear Harvest Summary. Bear season open in WMU 4S: archery bear season concurrent with archery deer season (late Sept–late Oct); regular bear season runs with the Southern Zone firearms deer season (Oct 25–Dec 7); one bear per year bag limit. WMU 4S not listed for early bear season (that early season applies to 4P, 4R, 4W and others). TURKEY — Spring season May 1–31 statewide; shooting hours 30 min before sunrise to noon; limit 2 bearded birds (max 1/day); youth season April 25–26. Fall turkey season in the Southern Zone generally Oct 18–31; all legal methods; 2-bird limit. Zone 4 sub-units may have slight date variations — verify current year regs.

The Helderberg Escarpment is one of the most scenic and geologically distinctive deer hunting landscapes in New York. Partridge Run WMA offers over 40 miles of roads and trails for hunters to penetrate deep public ground. The APR means mature bucks — a 3-point minimum culls yearling pressure and the resulting age structure shows in the harvest data. Bears are present and increasing in density. Spring turkey hunting on the escarpment ridges and hardwood flats is excellent. Proximity to Albany means weekend pressure can be meaningful on public ground, but interior miles of Partridge Run reward hikers willing to go deep.