SPECIAL NOTE FOR 2007 SEASON

Please note the following changes to the brochure for the 2007 hunting season.

1. Parking Areas 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62 are on the east side of Barron Road.
2. Parking Areas 82 and 83 are currently unavailable. No reservations will be taken for these parking areas at this time.

NOTE: Everyone will be happy to know that the roads have been fixed.

Hunting at the Stewart State Forest Area

     The Stewart State Forest comprises 6,700 acres of state reforestation land west of the Stewart Airport in the towns of Montgomery, New Windsor and Hamptonburg in Orange County.

     Special regulations for the Stewart Cooperative Hunting area are in effect from October 1 through the end of the Regular Big Game Season in December. During this period, access to the area is for licensed hunters and trappers only, and the main gate at Weed Road is open to allow vehicular access to the interior roads of the property. The areas posted as restricted are reserved for hunters with disabilities who have been issued a “Non-Ambulatory Hunter Permit.”

Regular Big Game Season

Reservations are required for the first Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Friday and the second Saturday and Sunday of the Regular Big Game Season and must be made before the opening day. As described below, reservations will be taken by telephone at the field station only, beginning at 8:30 AM. Only one reservation per call will be accepted.

To make reservations for the frst Saturday (opening day), Sunday or Monday -Call Tuesday, 11 days before opening day.

To make a reservation for the first Friday, or second Saturday or Sunday - Call Wednesday, 10 days before opening day.

Hunters are required to claim their reservation by 7:00 AM. Unclaimed reservations may be reassigned. Vacating a parking area after 8:00 AM will result in forfeiture of the party's reservation for the remainder of the day.

Area Regulation

These regulations apply from October 1 through the end of the Regular Big Game Season

1. Hunters are prohibited in areas posted as restricted areas.
2. Access for any purpose is prohibited in the Stewart State Forest Area without a valid hunting or trapping license.
3. The area will be open daily from one hour before sunrise until one half- hour after sunset.
4. Any person may be ejected from the area for disorderly conduct, intoxication, violation of area regulations or any conduct which endangers public safety.
5. No hunters shall park their vehicles in other than a designated parking area and then only if the parking quota is not filled.
6. Hunters shall hunt only on the same side of the road as their vehicles are parked.
7. The crossing of roads while hunting in the area is prohibited.
8. Not more than three persons shall hunt or be afield together in one party, and not more than three persons are allowed per vehicle.
9. Not more than two dogs shall be used by any single hunter or party hunting together.
10. No target or promiscuous shooting is permitted in the area.
11. No rifles or pistols (except muzzleloading rifles during the Regular Big Game and Muzzleloading season) shall be used or carried afield in the area.
12. All regulatory signs posted by DEC shall be obeyed.
13. The following acts are prohibited: littering, picnicking, building fires, damaging fences or gates, annoying livestock, molesting equipment or other farm property, damaging standing crops or newly planted fields, taking fruit or other farm produce, picking flowers, cutting or breaking branches of trees or shrubs, hunting or shooting near or otherwise disturbing persons who may be working in the area.
14. Vehicular traffic is prohibited beyond any closed gate.
15. The area speed limit is 15 mph.
16. All other applicable provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law shall be in effect.
17. No shooting from, on, or across any road.

Hunting Between the End of the Regular Big Game Season and September 30
Hunting for all species is allowed in season, however, the main gate at Weed Road will not be open, and hunters must access the area on foot or bicycle. As shown on the area map, there are several peripheral parking areas that may be used.

Nighttime Furbearer Hunting
Nighttime furbearer hunting is allowed during respective seasons. Night hunters, however, must park outside of all gates (whether open or closed).

Trapping
Trapping is allowed with a valid trapping license. Trappers must not park in designated hunting parking areas. For the purpose of trapping, trappers may enter all restricted areas west of Drury Lane.

For Further Assistance:
NYSDEC Region 3
21 South Putt Corners Rd.
New Paltz, NY 12561
Phone: 845-256-3000
Wildlife: 845-256-3098
Law Enforcement: 845-256-3013
Forest Rangers: 845-256-3026
Forest Rangers:845-256-3076

WEDNESDAY
10 days before opening

     To get a reservation for the for the restricted dates you have to call in on the specified day the week before opening day. The system is totally random because no one knows who will be connected first however it does punish those who can not spend all day trying to call in.
     In past years, on the first day when they are only taking reservation for opening day they are full by about 10:00 or 11:00 AM. The other days when they are taking reservations for 3 days they finish around 1:00 or 2:00 PM.
     To start it only take about a minute to take a reservation but as the day goes on and the spaces get filled it takes longer to go over what is left to choose from.
     They have a total of 83 spaces, most are one car/party while 11 of the total 83 spaces are double spaces and take two cars.Three people are the max number of people allowed in any group so the total is 249 people can hunt at one time. You have to claim your spot by 7 AM if you have a reservation or loose it.
     Because some people might fill their tag and so can not hunt, they are late and miss the 7:00 AM deadline and for other reasons, they do have some "No Shows" some days. The number of "No Shows" increase as the opening week progresses.

PAST INFORMATION

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OTHER PAST INFO AND OLD RULES

New Rules have been put in place this year that most people will like.  They have sent out a letter that is as follows.  (Rules change so make sure that you call or check for the most current and accurate information.  Good hunting.)

The primary change you will notice right away - no permits.  You will not be required to surrender your license and receive a permit from us.  Instead, you will retain your hunting license and it will function as your permit to be on this property for the day.  Non-hunters can still accompany you as a member of your party as long as the purpose of your trip is to hunt.

On most slower week days you will not be required to stop at the check station but we ask that you drive slowly as you pass the check station.  If there is no stop sign in front of the check station, just pass through the gates and enjoy your hunt.  On weekends, holidays and opening days there will be a stop sign out in front of the check station.  Please stop and wait for the DEC attendant to acknowledge you.  When leaving the Area on busy days, please stop at the sign and wait for the attendant to acknowledge that you are leaving.  It is not necessary for you to check your game at the check station.

If you wish to hunt at the parking areas outside the gates; Drury Lane (#1-#6), Forrester Road (#75 & #76), and Route 207 (#36), it is not necessary for you to pass by the check station, go directly to the parking area, if no one is there ahead of you, you may park and hunt.  Remember that you may not camp at these parking areas, and that all the Area regulations are in effect.  You may not park at the gates and access the property as these are not designated parking areas.

All other regulations for use of the Area remain in effect.  Maximum party size is three people with no more than two dogs.  Please park in designated parking areas and hunt on the same side of the road as you are parked.  Shotguns, muzzleloaders and longbows may be used, rifles or handguns may not be used.  You must leave the Area by 1/2 hour after sunset.  If you fail to return to the check station by the time you may be locked in.

Reservations will be required for the first seven days of the Regular Big Game Season.  Reservations are made by calling the check station at (845) 496-4042 beginning at 8:30 am on:
            Tuesday, November 14, for Monday, November 20
            Wednesday, November 15, for Tuesday and Wednesday, November 21 and 22
            Thursday, November 16, for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 24, 25, & 26.
            The Area is closed on thursday, November 23, Thanksgiving Day

These rules will remain in effect through December 12, 2000. After that date the gates will be will be locked.  You may park at the gates to gain access for hunting.