WMU 9R, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 9
- Area
- 237 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 19
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
- 1,082
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 9R sits on the southern slope of the Catskill Mountains in Ulster and Sullivan counties, offering hunters a mix of hardwood ridges, hemlock hollows, and extensive Catskill Forest Preserve public land. The unit holds a healthy resident deer herd with antlerless opportunities through the DMP system and a limited-quota September antlerless season, plus black bear that push down from the high peaks in fall and a strong wild turkey population year-round.
Southern Catskill slope terrain — hardwood ridges dominated by oak, maple, and beech transitioning to hemlock and mixed conifer in drainages. Elevations range roughly 600–3,500 ft. Steep north-facing hollows hold deer in early season; south-facing oak ridges are primary fall and rut habitat. The Rondout Creek watershed and its tributaries (Cherrybrook, Mettacahonts Creek) drain much of the unit. Terrain is rugged with limited vehicle access; foot hunting predominates.
moderate
WMU 9R participates in the DMP (Deer Management Permit) system with a limited quota — it is NOT among the 23 unlimited-DMP WMUs for 2026. Hunters may apply for up to 2 DMPs in quota WMUs. A nine-day early antlerless firearms/bow season runs mid-September (approx. Sept. 12-20) in eligible Southern Zone WMUs including 9R. The new statewide Earn-a-2nd-Buck system allows hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer to earn a second antlered-deer tag.
DEER — Archery: Oct. 1 – Nov. 20, Dec. 14 – Dec. 22, Dec. 26 – Jan. 1; Regular Firearms: Nov. 21 – Dec. 13; Muzzleloader: Dec. 14 – Dec. 22, Dec. 26 – Jan. 1; Youth Firearms: Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 10–12); Early Antlerless (firearms/bow): approx. Sept. 12–20. Legal implements include centerfire rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and archery. BEAR — Season coincides with regular deer firearms season (Nov. 21 – Dec. 13) and bowhunting windows; one bear per license year; Catskill bear population is huntable in 9R. TURKEY — Spring season approximately May 1–31 (Southern Zone); Fall season approximately Oct. 17–30 (Southern Zone); 2 birds per season limit; shotgun, archery, and crossbow legal. Bag limits and exact dates subject to annual DEC regulation; verify current year digest before hunting.
Rugged public land hunting in the Catskill Forest Preserve with minimal private-land pressure in the interior; black bear present and huntable during regular deer firearms season; NYC DEP watershed land adds additional public acres under free permit; strong wild turkey numbers on oak-mast ridges; rut activity typically peaks late October to mid-November.
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: NYSDEC official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.