French Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting, parking and access
French Creek Wildlife Management Area is 2,300 acres (DEC) managed by DEC in the town of Clayton, Jefferson County, in WMU 6G (Northern Zone).
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: DEC's page for French Creek WMA, read 2026-10-18. Boundary: DEC GIS.
DEC landOther state landFrench Creek WMAWMU lineHighway
| Size | 2,300 acres (DEC) |
|---|---|
| Location (DEC) | Town of Clayton, Jefferson County |
| WMU | WMU 6G |
| Zone | Northern Zone |
| DEC region | Region 6 |
| Open | Year-round |
| Fee | Free |
| Activities DEC lists | Hunting, Trapping, Freshwater Fishing and Watchable Wildlife |
| Nearest towns | Clayton (next to it), Depauville (5 mi) and Thousand Island Park (5 mi) |
What can you hunt on French Creek WMA, and when?
DEC's map of hunting on DEC-managed lands marks the area open to hunting. DEC lists these activities for the area: hunting, trapping, freshwater fishing and watchable wildlife. Hunting on a WMA follows the seasons of the WMU the ground is in. In WMU 6G, the 2026 regular firearms deer season runs October 24 to December 6.
| WMU | WMA acres in it | Deer harvested (whole WMU) | Adult bucks | Bears (whole WMU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMU 6G | 2,271 | 5,715 (2025) | 2,737 | 5 (2025) |
Harvest: DEC 2025 Deer Harvest Summary; DEC 2025 Bear Harvest Summary. Seasons: DEC, 2026 big game hunting seasons in October.
DEC's plans for the area: a Habitat Management Plan approved January 2023.
What DEC says about each activity here
- Hunting. "Ring-necked pheasants are stocked in the fall to enhance upland bird hunting."
- Freshwater Fishing. "During the spring, the WMA is a good bet for angling, especially for bullheads and panfish."
From DEC's page for French Creek WMA.
How do you get to French Creek WMA?
Highways within five miles: NY 12 and NY 12E. Nearest towns: Clayton (next to it), Depauville (5 miles), Thousand Island Park (5 miles) and Fishers Landing (5 miles). State land nearby, as DEC names it: Ashland Flats WMA, Cedar Point State Park and Grass Point State Park.
Which other WMAs are near French Creek?
| WMA | Miles away (straight line) | WMU | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Flats WMA | 7 | 6G | 2,028 |
| Perch River WMA | 12 | 6G | 7,932 |
| Brownville WMA | 14 | 6G | 241 |
| Point Peninsula WMA | 15 | 6G | 1,086 |
| Dexter Marsh WMA | 15 | 6G | 1,241 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on French Creek WMA?
Yes. DEC's map of hunting on DEC-managed lands marks it open to hunting. French Creek WMA lies in WMU 6G, and seasons follow the WMU's: in 2026 the regular firearms deer season there runs October 24 to December 6.
What WMU is French Creek WMA in?
All of French Creek WMA is in WMU 6G. DEC estimates 5,715 deer were taken in the whole WMU in 2025.
What is the nearest town to French Creek WMA?
Clayton, next to the area, by the Census map of places. Depauville is 5 miles away.
How big is French Creek WMA?
DEC gives 2,300 acres.
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Where these facts come from
- Area facts, habitat, parking and plans: DEC, French Creek WMA.
- Boundary: DEC Wildlife Management Areas. Public land around it: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1). Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
- WMU harvest: DEC 2025 Deer Harvest Summary; DEC 2025 Bear Harvest Summary. Seasons: DEC, 2026-27 early big game hunting seasons in September; DEC, 2026 big game hunting seasons in October.
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