New York’s Allegany State Park
Escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple
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Many wild turkeys have been captured inside the park and relocated to other parts of the state, New Jersey and New England.
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For many people, the words New York automatically trigger images of tall skyscrapers touching the clouds and bustling city streets. Seldom do we link endless acres of secluded forested valleys, cool running streams or beaver ponds. However, secluded areas like this still coexist with the bright city lights. In fact, turkey hunters and nature enthusiasts can easily escape into countless acres of pristine wildlife habitat within the borders of New York’s Allegany State Park.
Area Description
The park itself primarily consists of thick hardwood timber stands, gently rolling hills and crystal clear lakes. The area is divided into two main sections, Red House and Quaker, which make the Allegany one of New York’s largest state parks. Both sections encompass a number of picnic facilities, sandy beaches and designated hiking trails. Visitors can even take advantage of historical museums, naturalist walks and paved biking trails. There are more than 400 campsites, 375 rental cabins and fully-equipped vacation cottages.
NWTF History and Projects
According to Doug Little, NWTF regional biologist, Allegany State Park was the area where the first turkeys in New York State were observed by Fred Evans and Steve Eaton back in the early 1950s.
“Many wild turkeys were actually captured inside the state park for transfer to several locations within New York and to other areas of New England and New Jersey. The successful restoration of wild turkeys in these other locations and even Ontario is directly tied to the Allegany State Park,” said Little. “Without question, the area is rich in turkey history and the park continues to offer hunters great turkey hunting opportunities.”
Let’s Go Hunting!
Turkey hunters definitely have plenty of room to comb the woods and pinpoint an anxious gobbler. However, the area does receive a fair amount of hunting pressure and hunters should adjust their strategies to meet these challenges. According to local hunters, this means breaking away from the pack and focusing on hard-to-reach areas. In addition, hunters who are fortunate enough to tag out in New York can easily pick up a Pennsylvania license and hunt the southern boundary of the Allegany State Park. Hunters also have immediate access to several other public land parcels that are within a short drive of the park.
Important Information
Before hitting the woods, make sure you visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Web site at www.dec.ny.gov or call (518) 402-8883 for hunting information, licenses, turkey tags, special permits, season dates and regulations. Hunters are also required to report their spring or fall turkey harvest by using the new DECALS reporting system. Simply call (866) GAME-RPT to officially check-in and record your turkey harvest.
Other Attractions
There are many local activities and area attractions to keep you busy after a morning hunt. For example, you may want to bring your fishing rod and visit the various streams, beaver ponds and three different lakes that are nestled within the park’s boundaries. The Art Roscoe Ski Touring Area contains some of the best cross-country skiing and mountain bike trails in the Northeast. For years, bikers and snowmobile enthusiasts have been drawn to Allegany State Park for its 90 miles of neatly groomed trails that wind through the seemingly endless countryside. You may also want to check out the excellent birdwatching, canoeing, picnicking and horseback riding opportunities open to the public. — Travis Faulkner