Hunting is permitted when necessary to protect native plants and animals. Managing white-tailed deer population reduces damage and protects plant and animal diversity on our preserves. To find out more about why we allow hunting and how we make safety our biggest concern, read our Frequently Asked Questions. 

For more information on hunting at any of the following preserves, please contact Troy Weldy at (518) 690-7841 or tweldy@tnc.org.

The following preserves in New York are open to hunting.

Bear Swamp, Albany County

Deer hunting is conducted by special arrangement at this preserve during the New York hunting season.

Lordsland Conservancy, Otsego County

The 2008 hunt will occur shall occur from November 15 – 30, 2008. The preserve will be closed during this period.

Directions: 
From the Albany area, take Route 20 west (Western Avenue) to Route 166. Turn left on Route 166 into Cherry Valley. At the stoplight in the village, turn left and continue on Route 166 for 0.5 miles, then turn left on Dietsche Road. In 2.6 miles there is a Y-junction, with Doc Ahlers Road branching left, and Gage Road branching right. The entrance to the East Trail is on the right side of Doc Ahlers Road, 0.5 miles from this corner. There is a sign at the entrance. The start of the West Trail is on the left side of Gage Road, 0.2 miles from the corner. There is an old cabin on the right side of Gage Road across from the start of the trail.

Lordsland Conservancy >>

Pawling Nature Reserve, Dutchess County

Deer hunting is conducted by special arrangement during the New York hunting season.

Directions: 
From the northern terminus of I-684, follow Route 22 north past Route 55; turn right onto Dutchess Route 68 (North Quaker Hill Road). Stay to the right on Route 68, then turn left onto Quaker Lake Road. The parking area is 1.2 miles on left. The reserve can also be accessed from the Appalachian Trail stop on Metro-North.

Pawling Nature Reserve >>

Sam's Point Preserve, Ulster County

Deer hunting is conducted by permit only during the New York hunting season.

Directions: 
From the South:  Take Interstate 87 to Rt. 17W to Exit 119/Rt 302. Make a right onto Rt. 302. Go 10 miles to Pine Bush.  In Pine Bush make a left onto Rt. 52. Go approximately 6 miles.  Look for a green sign for Cragsmoor pointing to the right. Shortly after the sign make a right on Cragsmoor Road. Go one mile to the Cragsmoor post office. Make a right in front of post office. Go a short distance and make a right onto Sam's Point Road; follow for approximately 1 3/4 mile to the entrance of the Preserve.

From the North:  Take Interstate 87 to Kingston. In Kingston take Rt. 209/Ellenville. Follow Rt. 209 to Ellenville center. Turn left onto Rt. 52; follow for approximately four miles. Look for a green sign pointing left. Shortly after the sign, make a left onto Cragsmoor Road.  Follow directions above from Cragsmoor Road to the Preserve.

From the East:  Cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge and take Route 9W north approximately five miles to Route 299. Turn left on 299 and go through New Paltz to intersection wtih Rt. 44/55. Make a right onto Rt. 44/55; follow to Rt. 209. Make a left onto 209 going towards Ellenville. In Ellenville center turn left onto Rt. 52.  Follow directions above from Rt. 52 in Ellenville.

Sam's Point Preserve >>

Ward Farm, Washington County

Deer hunting is conducted by special arrangement during the New York hunting season.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Carl Heilman II (pond).