WMU 6S, New York

Flat to gently rolling Lake Ontario plain with fertile agricultural soils, interspersed hardwood woodlots, creek bottoms, wetlands, and wetland edges. Elevations are low (400-700 ft). The lakeshore influence moderates temperatures compared to the Tug Hill Plateau immediately to the east. Habitat is a productive mix of corn and soybean fields, brushy fencerows, cattail marshes near Oneida Lake and Lake Ontario tributaries, and mature hardwood stands. This agricultural mosaic drives higher deer densities than the heavily forested units to the north.

moderate

WMU 6S is in the Southern Zone with standard DMP (Deer Management Permit) quota availability for antlerless deer. DMPs are available via application by October 1 each year ($10 fee). The unit is NOT listed among the no-quota WMUs for 2026, meaning tags are issued via lottery but generally available. Under the 2026 regulatory changes, hunters may apply for up to 4 DMPs (2 in quota WMUs, 2 in no-quota WMUs) and unlimited DMP transfers between hunters are now permitted. The new Earn-a-2nd-Buck system allows hunters to receive a second antlered tag after harvesting an antlerless deer. Agricultural farmland in the unit supports healthy doe numbers and the DEC has been working to increase antlerless harvest statewide.

DEER: Southern Zone. Archery Oct 1 – Nov 14 and Dec 8–16 and Dec 26–Jan 1; Crossbow Nov 1–14; Youth Firearms Oct 11–13; Regular Firearms Nov 15 – Dec 7; Muzzleloader Dec 8–16 and Dec 26–Jan 1. No firearm restrictions (standard Southern Zone rules apply — no Long Island-style shotgun-only requirement). BEAR: Black bear are present and huntable in WMU 6S under Northern Zone bear regulations (the Lake Ontario plain counties straddle zone lines); bear season in Northern Zone runs Oct 25 – Dec 7 during regular firearms; no special permit required. Bear sightings in Oswego County have increased in recent years. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–31 (youth weekend Apr 25–26); shooting hours half-hour before sunrise to noon; 2 bearded birds per season limit, 1 per day. Fall season runs approximately Oct 1–14 in the Northern Zone turkey zones covering this area; 1 bird of either sex; sunrise to sunset hours. Turkey permit required ($10 resident).

Agricultural Lake Ontario plain habitat with excellent deer densities; multiple large public WMAs and state forests with good road access; Southern Zone seasons are among the longest in the state (archery Oct 1 through early January); proximity to Lake Ontario creates varied wetland and field-edge habitat; good spring turkey populations in hardwood and ag edge habitat; moderate hunting pressure relative to downstate but more active than remote Tug Hill units to the north.