To reach these public hunting spots, take Exit 20 off I-88 and proceed south on state Route 10 to the hamlet of Summit. Turn onto Route 20 east to the state land. Burnt Hill Road also crosses portions of the forest.

MT. PISGAH STATE FOREST
With 4,260 acres, this trio of state forests in the highlands along the Schoharie-Greene county line provides hunters with the feel of a Catskill hunt but with more maintenance roads and trails for better foot access. Also, periodic logging operations and selective cuttings provide more varied habitat.

This is the deep woods, make no mistake about that, with steep, rugged terrain covered with large blocks of forest, primarily mixed hardwoods. Stands of oaks may be found on some of the ridges and slopes, where deer will be found searching for acorns at this time of year.

These public-hunting parcels are named for Mt. Pisgah, one of several named mountains along the wavy ridgeline forming the county boundary. Several of these peaks are in the state land, including Huntersfield, Richland and Richtmyer. An observatory was once located on the top of Mt. Pisgah, and the remains of an old access road provides a footpath to the summit.

Popular with Capital District hunters, the Mt. Pisgah properties are close to the southwest corner of Albany County. The best approach to these three backcountry parcels is via state Route 145 south through Middleburgh to the hamlet of Durham in Greene County. Turn right (west) on Route 20, which leads to the easternmost property. Local roads in the area provide access to other segments of the forest, including Cook Road, South Mountain Road and CCC Road.

ROCKY POINT AREA
Deer hunting on Long Island is definitely a change of pace from the remote Catskill Park and Preserve and the steep hills of the Appalachian Plateau. However, archers who work their way through the required permit procedures may hunt throughout December and should have a good chance at the special firearms season in January.

Suffolk County is overpopulated with deer, so the chances for a late-season deer are better here than anywhere else in the state. Also, bonus tags are available once a DMP is filled.

The Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area, including the Longwood Property, consists of more than 5,700 acres in the town of Brookhaven south of the village of Rocky Point. Longwood is a small parcel in the same area along the William Floyd Parkway. The habitat here is predominantly thick oak and pine forest, although there are several meadows and some small grassy openings.

Formerly an RCA communications center, Rocky Point is one of the most productive deer-hunting areas on the island. While the scrubby growth is dense in most locations, a trail network is maintained. Daily hunter access permits are required, hunting locations are assigned and the number of hunters is limited each day. Reservations are required to hunt on weekends and holidays in December.

Hunters may obtain complete details about reservations, the procedures for issuing bonus tags, and associated special rules and regulations by calling the DEC's field office at (631) 924-3156. To reach Rocky Point, use Exit 66 off I-495, take Route 101 north to Route 21, and continue north for six miles to the main parking lot on the west side of the road.

For more information on deer hunting in southeast New York, contact the DEC's Stamford office at (607) 652-7367.

For inquiries and brochures pertaining to New York's state forests, call (607) 652-7365.

General maps and travel information may be obtained from the New York State tourism office at (800) 225-5697.