WMU 8A, New York

Flat to gently rolling Erie-Ontario Lowlands landscape dominated by agricultural fields, hedgerows, woodlots, wetland marshes, and suburban/exurban development. Lake Erie influence moderates climate. Notable wetland features include cattail marshes and small creek drainages such as Cazenovia Creek and Ellicott Creek corridors. Elevation ranges 550-700 ft.

High — proximity to the Buffalo metro area (population ~1.2 million) and high deer densities attract substantial hunter numbers. Suburban safety zones around developed areas reduce huntable acreage significantly, concentrating pressure on available public and private parcels. Note: deer and bear hunting is prohibited within the defined Buffalo urban safety zone boundary (bounded by Tonawanda Creek, Route 78, Greiner Rd, Route 268, Route 5, Ransom Rd, Route 33, Route 20, Route 20A, and Lake Erie).

WMU 8A is a no-quota DMP unit for 2026 — antlerless Deer Management Permits are available without a quota cap, making antlerless harvest very accessible. Hunters can apply for up to 2 DMPs in no-quota WMUs. Harvested DMPs in no-quota units are automatically replaced upon reporting, enabling multiple antlerless deer opportunities per season. The 2026 Earn-a-Second-Buck system requires harvesting an antlerless deer before obtaining a second antlered tag.

DEER: Archery Oct 1-Nov 14, regular firearms Nov 15-Dec 7, muzzleloader Dec 8-16 and Dec 26-Jan 1, late bow runs concurrently with muzzleloader; September antlerless-only early season (approx. Sept 13-21) open to firearms, crossbow, and vertical bow. BEAR: Black bear are present in western NY and WMU 8A carries open bear season concurrent with firearms deer season in the Southern Zone; however, bear encounters are uncommon given the suburban landscape, and the Buffalo urban safety zone exclusion limits bear hunting areas within the unit. TURKEY: Spring season runs May 1-May 31 (shooting hours sunrise to noon), bag limit 2 bearded birds (1/day); Fall season typically Oct 1-14 with either-sex 1-bird limit. No Long Island shotgun-only firearm restrictions apply — this is mainland western NY with standard Southern Zone firearm rules.

Unlimited antlerless DMP availability makes WMU 8A one of the most tag-flexible units in the state. Very high whitetail deer density driven by agricultural food sources and limited predator pressure. September early firearms/bow antlerless season opens mid-September. Holiday Deer Hunt (Dec 26-Jan 1) provides extended late-season opportunity. Public land is scarce but Tillman Road WMA offers a convenient urban-edge hunting option near Buffalo.