Public Lands

Many state lands, including Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, Forest Preserve and State Parks are open for hunting and trapping during the appropriate seasons.

Wildlife Management Areas

With more that 115 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout New York State, there are nearly 197,000 ares of public land, including 124,000 acres of forests and grasslands and 53,000 acres of wetland.

There are Habitat/Wildlife Management Areas developed and underway in each region (Steuben County is located in Region 8). These site-specific Habitat Management Plans are being developed for Wildlife Management Areas and other properties overseen by DEC's Bureau of Wildlife to guide habitat management decisions, which benefit wildlife and support wildlife-related recreation.

Explore forests, open fields, streams, ponds, wetlands, and scenic vistas. These lands - owned by New York State and operated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Bureau of Wildlife - are available for public use.

Please note that each WMA is organized by DEC region and has its own page on the DEC website identifying allowable activities and available facilities.

For specific information on the public use of Wildlife Management Areas including what WMAs are, how they are different from State Forests, how the DEC determines what activities are allowed on WMAs, as well as primary, secondary, and restricted uses of WMAs and more, please visit the DEC’s Public Use of WMAs page: https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/publicuseofwmas.pdf.

Learn about the 2,490 acre Erwin Wildlife Management Area located 5 miles west of Corning for specific information on hiking, hunting and trapping, fishing, as well as general wildlife information.

Other Steuben County Wildlife Management Areas

Helmer Creek WMA
West Cameron WMA
Cold Brook WMA

For additional Region 8 WMAs outside Steuben County visit the DEC’s Western Finger Lakes WMAs - Region 8 page: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8276.html.

To learn about the Young Forest Initiative on Wildlife Management Areas, visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/104218.html.

For ESRI or Google Maps of DEC lands, visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/42978.html.

State Parks

Steuben County (Region 8) has two state parks— Stony Brook State Park and Pinnacle State Park which allow hunting (archery only). For contact numbers visit the list of state parks here.

State Recreation Land in Steuben County

For a list of State Recreation Land in Steuben County, click here.

Private Lands

According to the DEC, 85% of state lands are privately owned and over 90% of all hunters will hunt on private lands. See below for a few suggested spots in Steuben County that offer private land as well as some delicious food and even overnight accommodations.

When hunting on private lands, be respectful and be sure to ask for permission first. To learn about rights-of-way, what is and is not permitted on private property, and other restrictions with regards to hunting on private lands, click here.

Hunters are strongly advised to contact DEC Regional Offices for the most up-to-date information about the status of these areas. Find contact information for Steuben County, Region 8 Offices here.

Guide Services & Outfitters

Two local guides (Russ Diederich of Finger Lakes Adventure Center located just outside Corning and Kevin Collins at ABC Ranch in Canisteo) also offer camps on their land so you're able to make the most of your experience. Hunt on your own on an expansive piece of land or take advantage of these experienced guides.

Russ also offers other licensed guide services including fishing, archery and hiking. After hunting with Kevin, be sure to stop by Cider Creek Hard Cider for some of Kevin's award-winning hard cider and a friendly, relaxing atmosphere.