WMU 7M, New York

Rolling Appalachian Highlands with hills and valleys ranging from 1,500 to 2,100 feet elevation. Southwestern Madison County between New Woodstock and Erieville, approximately 6 miles southeast of Cazenovia. Mix of forested ridges, wetland impoundments, and former dairy farmland reverting to shrub and early successional habitat. Habitat managed through mowing, timber management, and water impoundments for waterfowl and deer.

moderate

WMU 7M falls under the Southern Zone and operates under a limited DMP quota system — it is NOT among the 23 WMUs with unlimited DMPs as of 2026. Hunters must apply for Deer Management Permits by October 1 ($10 fee). Preference points increase selection odds. Earn-a-2nd-Buck system allows a second antlered tag upon harvest and reporting of an antlerless deer. Hunters can apply for up to 4 total DMPs (2 in quota units, 2 in no-quota units).

DEER (Southern Zone): Archery Oct 1 – Nov 20 and Dec 14–22 and Dec 26–Jan 1; Youth Firearms Oct 10–12; Regular Firearms Nov 21 – Dec 13; Muzzleloader Dec 14–22 and Dec 26–Jan 1. Centerfire rifles prohibited in most of southern zone — shotgun/slug, muzzleloader, or archery equipment only unless specifically permitted by county. Statewide 2025 harvest was 227,032 deer. | BEAR (Southern Zone): Early Season Sept 12–27 (bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, shotgun, handgun, rifle where legal); Bowhunting Oct 1–Nov 20 and Dec 14–22; Regular Firearms Nov 21–Dec 13; Muzzleloader Dec 14–22. Black bear population expanding in Madison County per DEC management plan for Tioughnioga WMA — opportunities increasing over time. | TURKEY (Spring): May 1–31 statewide, legal hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon, bag limit 2 bearded birds (max 1/day). (Fall): Oct 1–14, bag limit 1 bird either sex, legal hours sunrise to sunset. Harvest reporting required within 48 hours via DECALS system or 1-866-426-3778.

Tioughnioga WMA is a premier 3,744-acre public hunting destination in the unit with diverse habitat managed specifically for wildlife. Expanding black bear population in Madison County makes WMU 7M an increasingly productive bear unit. High-quality turkey habitat with diverse early successional cover and forested ridges. Portion of Finger Lakes Trail runs through Tioughnioga WMA. No CWD detected in New York as of 2025 (3,050 deer tested statewide). Mature buck age structure improving statewide — over 28% of bucks harvested in 2025 were 3.5+ years old.