WMU 8T, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 8
- Area
- 375 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 25
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
- 4,215
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 8T covers the Lake Erie hill country of Erie and Cattaraugus counties in western New York, a productive mix of hardwood-forested ridges, agricultural valleys, and brushy creek bottoms that supports healthy whitetail deer populations, black bears, and both spring and fall turkey seasons. Deer densities are solid and DMP availability for antlerless deer is typically competitive but obtainable, making this a well-rounded big-game unit. Public land is available through DEC Wildlife Management Areas and state forests in Cattaraugus County, including Poverty Hill WMA and Cattaraugus State Forest, supplemented by private farm-forest tracts where access can often be obtained.
Rolling Lake Erie hill country in Erie and Cattaraugus counties, southwestern New York. Ridges and drainages run north-south toward Lake Erie, ranging roughly 1,000-2,000 ft elevation. Landscape is a classic mixed farm-forest mosaic: hardwood woodlots (oak, maple, beech) interspersed with active cropland, orchards, old fields, and brushy creek corridors. The southern portions of the unit trend toward deeper forest in the Cattaraugus County uplands. This agricultural edge habitat is ideal whitetail country.
moderate
WMU 8T operates under the Southern Zone DMP (Deer Management Permit) system for antlerless deer. DMPs are allocated by quota annually; 8T has historically had a quota (approx. 500-700 DMPs per recent years) making them competitive but available. Hunters can apply for up to 4 DMPs total under New York rules. For 2026, WMU 8T retains a DMP quota system (unlike several neighboring Zone 8 WMUs such as 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S which moved to no-quota in 2026). The new Earn-a-2nd-Buck system (effective 2026) incentivizes antlerless harvest statewide - hunters who harvest an antlerless deer unlock a second antlered tag. Early September antlerless season applies to select WMUs; check current DEC regs to confirm if 8T is included.
DEER: Southern Zone seasons - Archery Oct 1 - Nov 14 and Dec 8-16 and Dec 26 - Jan 1; Regular Firearms Nov 15 - Dec 7; Muzzleloader Dec 8-16 and Dec 26 - Jan 1. No known muzzleloader restriction for 8T (restrictions apply in 8C and others - verify current regs). All legal implements (rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, archery) permitted in 8T unless otherwise noted. BEAR: Black bear season is open in WMU 8T as part of western NY. Southern Zone bear archery runs concurrent with deer archery (Oct 1 - Nov 14, Dec 8-16); firearms bear season Nov 15 - Dec 7; muzzleloader/archery late season Dec 8-16 and Dec 26-Jan 1. One bear per license year. Bear population has expanded in recent years in western NY hill country. TURKEY: Spring season opens May 1 statewide (upstate NY), runs through May 31; hunting hours one-half hour before sunrise to noon; bearded birds only. Fall season typically opens in early October in Zone 8 WMUs, running several weeks; either-sex birds legal in fall. Verify exact fall Zone 8 turkey season dates in current DEC guide. FIREARM RESTRICTIONS: None - 8T is an upstate WMU with no shotgun-only restriction (Long Island WMUs 9A/9C/9F/9G/9H/9T/9W/9X/9Y are shotgun/archery only due to safety zones; does not apply here).
Productive farm-forest whitetail habitat in the Lake Erie hills; solid deer densities with both bucks and antlerless opportunities; black bear present and huntable; strong spring and fall turkey populations in the hardwood ridges; multiple DEC public parcels in Cattaraugus County provide walk-in access; proximity to western NY amenities (Buffalo/Erie metro less than 1 hr); good combination unit for deer, bear, and turkey in a single season trip.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 8T— 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.