WMU 5F, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 5
- Area
- 1,330 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 27
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
- 836
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 5F covers a sprawling, remote stretch of the Adirondack Park across portions of Franklin, Essex, and Hamilton counties — one of the wildest and least-pressured deer units in New York State. Vast public Forest Preserve land, low deer densities, and a true backcountry experience define this unit, where hunters willing to go deep are rewarded with solitude and legitimate shot opportunities at bears and turkeys alongside whitetails.
Remote Adirondack wilderness encompassing the western and central High Peaks foothills, mixed northern hardwood-conifer forest, bogs, wetlands, and hundreds of lakes and ponds across Franklin, Essex, and Hamilton counties. Elevation ranges from lake valleys to rugged ridgelines. Dense forest canopy, limited agricultural influence, and harsh winters keep deer densities among the lowest in the state.
low
WMU 5F is a Northern Zone unit with historically limited Deer Management Permit (DMP) quotas for antlerless deer. The unit recorded the lowest harvest density in New York at approximately 0.7 deer per square mile in 2025. No September antlerless-only season. DMPs are available via lottery application (deadline October 1); selection odds are typically favorable given the low demand relative to limited quotas. Under 2026 regulation changes, hunters can apply for up to 4 DMPs statewide (2 in limited-quota WMUs). No special late December firearms extension — that applies only to WMUs 5A, 5G, 5J, 6A, 6C, 6H.
DEER: Archery Sept 27 - Oct 23; Youth Firearms Oct 11-13; Regular (any legal firearm) Oct 24 - Dec 6; Muzzleloader Oct 17-Oct 23 and Dec 7-Dec 13. Crossbow legal during all archery seasons. Antlerless via DMP only (limited quota, apply by Oct 1). No extended Dec 8-14 season for this unit. BEAR: Bowhunting Sept 19 - Oct 23; Crossbow Oct 15-Oct 23; Muzzleloader Oct 18-Oct 23; Regular firearms Oct 24 - Dec 6; Youth Oct 11-13. No early September bear season (Southern Zone only). Robust bear population in Adirondack core. TURKEY: Spring season May 1-31 (shooting hours 1/2 hr before sunrise to noon; up to 2 bearded birds, 1/day). Fall Northern Zone season Oct 1-14 (either-sex). FIREARM RESTRICTIONS: None — standard firearms legal statewide in Northern Zone (no shotgun-only or pistol-only restrictions applicable here).
One of New York's most remote and lightly hunted big game units. Exceptional black bear hunting running concurrent with deer season. Vast Adirondack Forest Preserve public land offers true wilderness hunts with minimal competition. Turkey hunting in a stunning October hardwood backdrop. Hunters seeking solitude over high deer numbers will find WMU 5F unmatched in the state.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 5F— 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 5F.
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Boundaries: NYSDEC official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.