WMU 5J, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 5
- Area
- 711 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 22
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
- 1,414
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 5J covers the rolling Finger Lakes hills of Schuyler, Tompkins, and Chemung counties in the Southern Tier, offering some of the best whitetail and wild turkey hunting in the region. Connecticut Hill WMA — New York's largest WMA at over 11,000 acres — anchors public access alongside Finger Lakes National Forest, providing serious hunters with remote terrain away from crowds. Black bear are present and huntable here, adding a bonus species in an already productive multi-season destination.
Rolling hardwood hills and forested ridges of the Finger Lakes uplands, elevation ranging from valley floors around 800 ft to hilltop plateaus near 2,000 ft. Mixed hardwood forest (beech, maple, oak, hemlock) interspersed with regenerating clearcuts, old fields, stream corridors, and agricultural edges. Finger Lakes hill country creates classic funnels and ridge travel routes for deer.
moderate — Connecticut Hill draws significant pressure during regular firearms season (described as 'pounded' during slug season) but archery pressure is lighter; interior sections and Finger Lakes National Forest offer lower-pressure options for those willing to hike
WMU 5J has a DMP (Deer Management Permit) quota system for antlerless deer; hunters can apply for up to 2 DMPs in quota WMUs. 5J is not among the no-quota WMUs (such as 1C, 3M, 8A, 9A, etc.), meaning DMPs are available but limited. Antlerless hunting also opens during September archery antlerless season. 2026 statewide changes include an Earn-a-2nd-Buck system replacing the second antlered tag structure.
DEER: Early archery Oct 1–Oct 14 (WMU 5J specific early bow dates), regular archery continues through Nov 14; regular firearms (Southern Zone) runs late Nov through mid-Dec; muzzleloader Dec 8–14 (WMU 5J specific early ML dates) plus holiday hunt Dec 26–Jan 1 for most of Southern Zone. Antlered deer: one per season. Antlerless: DMP required outside of archery-specific antlerless season. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–31, hunting hours 30 min before sunrise to noon, bag limit 2 bearded birds (1/day). Fall season available in Southern Zone, typically Oct–Nov; both sexes legal in fall. BEAR: Black bear present and huntable in Southern Zone including WMU 5J area. Early bear season ~Sep 6–21 (bow/muzzleloader), archery season concurrent with deer archery, regular firearms season ~Nov 15–Dec 7; one bear per license year. No firearm restrictions — this is not a Long Island WMU, all legal firearm types permitted.
Connecticut Hill WMA is the crown jewel — 11,000+ acres of mixed hardwood and open habitat with good deer, turkey, and bear populations. Finger Lakes hill topography creates natural travel corridors ideal for stand hunting. Turkey populations are strong with both spring and fall seasons available. Black bear are huntable with dedicated seasons. Southern Tier location means relatively mild early archery weather compared to northern NY.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 5J— 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 5J.
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.