WMU 7F, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 7
- Area
- 772 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 3,445
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 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 7F covers portions of Cayuga, Onondaga, and Madison counties in central New York, a region of rolling drumlins, mixed hardwood forests, wetlands, and agricultural edges that support healthy deer, turkey, and black bear populations. Antlerless deer pressure is actively managed — 7F carries no DMP quota for 2026 and was newly added to the September antlerless season, signaling DEC is prioritizing herd reduction. Public hunting access is solid, with Tioughnioga WMA (3,744 acres in Madison County), Morgan Hill State Forest, numerous smaller DEC state forests, and WMAs like Cicero Swamp and Three Rivers spread across all three counties.
Central New York drumlin country — rolling glacially formed hills blanketed in mixed hardwoods (oak, maple, beech), interspersed with open agricultural fields, wetlands, and creek drainages. Elevation modest (400–1,400 ft). Habitat edges between cropland and forest are highly productive for whitetail and turkey.
moderate
WMU 7F has no DMP quota for 2026 — hunters receive antlerless DMPs on demand and used/reported DMPs are automatically replaced with bonus permits. 7F was added to the new mid-September nine-day antlerless firearm season (approx. Sept. 13–21) for 2026, reflecting a push to reduce the herd. Standard Southern Zone archery runs Oct. 1–Nov. 20 and late Dec.; regular firearms Nov. 21–Dec. 13; muzzleloader Dec. 14–22. Antlered bucks require no separate permit.
DEER: Southern Zone seasons — archery Oct. 1–Nov. 20 and late Dec. into Jan.; regular firearms Nov. 21–Dec. 13; muzzleloader Dec. 14–22. No DMP quota; antlerless tags freely available and auto-replaced on harvest report. September antlerless season (approx. 9 days mid-Sept.) added for 2026. BEAR: WMU 7F is within the Southern bear range per 6 NYCRR 1.31. Seasons run concurrent with deer seasons — archery Oct. 1 through Friday before regular season; regular firearms ~23 days starting 3rd Saturday in November; muzzleloader 9 days after regular season. Bag limit: 1 bear per license year. TURKEY: Spring season statewide May 1–31 (half-hour before sunrise to noon); fall season dates vary by zone (typically October through late November in Zone 7 area). Bag limit: 2 bearded birds spring (1/day); 1 bird either sex in fall.
Unlimited antlerless tags (no DMP quota) make 7F a great choice for hunters seeking doe harvest opportunity. New September antlerless season adds a bonus early window. Bear hunting is legal throughout the regular deer gun season (Southern Zone: regular firearms ~Nov. 21–Dec. 13, archery Oct. 1–Nov. 20, muzzleloader Dec. 14–22). Multiple DEC state forests and WMAs provide walk-in public access without crowding. Turkey hunting is excellent on agricultural edges and hardwood ridges.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 7F— 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.
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Boundaries: NYSDEC official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.