Hunting is allowed at the Skaneateles Conservation Area on Old Seneca Turnpike and Gully Road. The New York State DEC designated hunting seasons for the Southern Zone, and all other DEC regulations, are in effect.
At the Mabel Reynolds Preserve, only bowhunting is allowed.
For the 2016 seasons, the dates are:
| Turkey | Spring season (until noon only) | May 1 – May 31, 2016 |
| Fall season (sunrise to sunset) | Oct. 15 – Oct. 28, 2016 | |
| Deer | Early Bowhunting | Oct. 1 – Nov. 18, 2016 |
| Crossbow | Nov. 5 – Nov. 18, 2016 | |
| Regular | Nov 19 – Dec. 11, 2016 | |
| Late Bow, Crossbow & Muzzleloader | Dec. 12 – Dec. 20, 2016 |
Note that this is intended as a quick guide only. Please see the DEC webpage http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html for the official hunting season notice.
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| Old tree stand on the Federal Farm property in 2012. Permanent stands are not allowed. |
Hunters, please be aware that there may be other users of the property. Hunting within 500 feet of the pavilion is prohibited. Please remember that motor vehicles are prohibited inside the locked gates of the conservation area properties, even for retrieval of your kill. Also note that permanent tree stands are not allowed on Skaneateles Conservation Areas.
Other users of the property, please be aware that there may be hunters during hunting seasons. Please wear appropriately visible clothing, preferably bright orange. Also be aware of the following New York Environmental Law:
N.Y. ENV. LAW § 11-0110 : NY Code – Section 11-0110: Interference with lawful taking of wildlife prohibited
1. As used in this section “wildlife” means wild game and all other animal life existing in a wild state, including fish, shellfish and crustacea, and “process of taking”, in addition to any act described in subdivision thirteen of section 11-0103 of this article, includes travel, camping, and other acts preparatory to taking, which occur on lands or waters upon which the affected person has the right or privilege to take such wildlife.
2. A person is guilty of interfering with the lawful taking of wildlife when, with intent to prevent the taking of wildlife, in season, in a place where hunting, fishing or trapping is lawful, and by a person properly licensed to take such wildlife, he:
(a) strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects the licensed person to physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same; or
(b) follows the licensed person in or about such place and engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which alarm or seriously annoy such licensed person and which serve no legitimate purpose.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no one shall be arrested for violation of this section by other than a duly designated peace officer acting pursuant to his special duties, or a police officer.
The Skaneateles Conservation Area 