WMU 4Y, New York

Rolling hills and forested ridges of the Hudson Highlands and Taconic foothills, elevations 200-1,400 ft. Mixed hardwood forest (oak, maple, beech) dominates, with hemlock ravines and scattered wetlands. Suburban development fragments habitat throughout with residential corridors and safety zones limiting huntable land. Dense understory browse pressure from overabundant deer suppresses regeneration in many woodlots.

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WMU 4Y is a limited/quota DMP unit — antlerless Deer Management Permits are available but NOT unlimited. Hunters must apply and compete via lottery for DMPs; this unit does not appear on the unlimited/bonus DMP list (which includes 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, etc.). Antler point restrictions apply: legal buck must have at least one antler with 3+ points each at least 1 inch long. DMAP (Deer Management Assistance Program) permits available to cooperating landowners for overabundance management.

DEER: Southern Zone seasons — Archery Oct 1–Nov 20, Dec 14–22, Dec 26–Jan 1; Firearms (Regular) Nov 21–Dec 13 (shotgun only on public land); Muzzleloader Dec 14–22, Dec 26–Jan 1. Youth Firearms Oct 10–12. Holiday Hunt Dec 26–Jan 1. DMPs available via lottery (limited quota). Antler point restrictions in effect. BEAR: WMU 4Y is within the legal southern bear hunting zone. Bear seasons mirror deer: Archery Oct 1–Nov 20, Regular Nov 21–Dec 13, Muzzleloader Dec 14–22. Early bear season (Sept) does NOT apply to 4Y. Bear population in Putnam/Westchester growing; occasional harvest reported. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–31 statewide (upstate), hours sunrise to noon; park permits required at Fahnestock (shotgun only Mon–Fri). Fall turkey season dates vary by zone — Putnam County falls in the southern fall turkey zone typically running mid-October through mid-November; all legal implements. FIREARMS RESTRICTION: No rifle on public lands (state parks, DEP watershed) in this unit. Shotgun, muzzleloader, and archery are standard implements on public ground.

Despite suburban character, WMU 4Y holds excellent deer numbers — arguably the best buck-per-acre density in the lower Hudson Valley due to low hunting pressure on vast private holdings. Archery hunters who secure private land permission can encounter heavy sign and consistent action. Fahnestock State Park is the workhorse public land option but fills its 200-permit gun season quota fast. Bear sightings are increasing across Putnam County as the southern NY bear range expands. Spring turkey hunting at Fahnestock is productive with good gobbler density. No rifle hunting on public lands in this unit.