WMU 6A, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 6
- Area
- 1,516 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 14
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
- 4,713
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 6A covers rolling hill country across portions of Chenango, Cortland, and Broome counties in New York's Southern Tier, offering solid whitetail deer and wild turkey hunting on a mix of private agricultural land and significant DEC public acreage. The unit holds a huntable black bear population and features some of New York's best publicly accessible big game habitat, including the historic Pharsalia WMA and Pharsalia Woods State Forest. Antlerless tag availability through the DMP system has historically been limited in 6A, rewarding hunters who scout thoroughly and apply early.
Rolling glaciated hills with mixed hardwood-conifer forest, agricultural fields, creek drainages, and brushy reverting farmland. Elevation ranges roughly 1,000–1,800 ft. Chenango and Cortland county uplands are classic Southern Tier whitetail country with good natural edge habitat. Broome County portions trend toward heavier timber with hemlock-lined stream corridors.
moderate
WMU 6A has historically carried a limited DMP (Deer Management Permit) quota for antlerless deer — not a no-quota unit. Hunters should apply early in the DMP lottery. Under 2026 regulatory changes, hunters may apply for up to 4 DMPs (2 in quota WMUs, 2 in no-quota WMUs); WMU 6A is not among the no-quota units listed for 2026, meaning a quota applies. Antlerless harvest is also permitted during the early muzzleloader season in this WMU.
DEER: Southern Zone archery Oct 1–Nov 20; regular firearms Nov 21–Dec 13; muzzleloader Dec 14–22 plus special WMU 6A December extension Dec 8–16; Holiday Hunt late Dec–Jan 1. All legal implements permitted (rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow) — no Long Island safety-zone restrictions apply. BEAR: Southern Zone bear season open, early season (archery/firearms) and concurrent with regular deer season; one bear per license year. TURKEY: Spring season statewide May 1–31, morning hours only (one-half hour before sunrise to noon), one bearded bird per day up to two per season; fall season varies by WMU typically October through December with a special December extension window. No shotgun/archery-only firearm restrictions (those apply only to Long Island WMUs 9A/9C/9F/9G/9H/9T/9W/9X/9Y).
Pharsalia WMA is one of New York's oldest game refuges (established 1926) and provides excellent walk-in access for deer and turkey. The unit supports both archery and firearms deer hunting with a full Southern Zone season slate. Black bear are present and huntable under Southern Zone bear regulations. Muzzleloader season includes a special December 8–16 extension specific to WMUs including 6A. Good turkey populations in both spring and fall.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 6A— 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 6A.
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.