Downsville/ Walton NY

[Deerslayer21]

Fellas looking to hunt NY next year for Rifle.  I will do my homework and find some public land to hunt. I was wondering if anyone has hunted the  Bear Spring Wildlife Management area?   I just want to know how much hunting pressure is up there and if anyone has hunted it recently?  Its a shot in the dark but, I figured I would throw it out there.  No looking for anyone's secret spots I will find my own spots. 

[LanceinNJ]

I spend a lot of time up there in the spring turkey hunting. The deer heard is hit or miss. Lots of DEC land in the area that is open to public with the proper permit. Downsville Motel is where we usually stay and the Downsville Inn and Danny's in Walton are good spots to eat and have a drink. I can't speak for deer, but landowners are usually pretty easy to deal with for Turkey Hunting permission. I would think the farther you got away from Route 10 the better. Good luck.

Edited November 14, 2024 by LanceinNJ

[Deerslayer21]

1 hour ago, LanceinNJ said:

I spend a lot of time up there in the spring turkey hunting. The deer heard is hit or miss. Lots of DEC land in the area that is open to public with the proper permit. Downsville Motel is where we usually stay and the Downsville Inn and Danny's in Walton are good spots to eat and have a drink. I can't speak for deer, but landowners are usually pretty easy to deal with for Turkey Hunting permission. I would think the farther you got away from Route 10 the better. Good luck.

Thanks alot for all the info appreciate it !!   I was also wondering if its a heavily hunted area for Deer?  Thanks again for the info... 

[LanceinNJ]

I wouldn't think its to heavily hunted. There's a ton of land. My first look would be the DEC land. The permit is free, and opens all sorts of options. 

[Deerslayer21]

9 minutes ago, LanceinNJ said:

I wouldn't think its to heavily hunted. There's a ton of land. My first look would be the DEC land. The permit is free, and opens all sorts of options. 

thank you !!!

 

[fdsmiles]

used to hunt walton allot.not allot of deer but big ones.

[Rjtfd]

Use to hunt there for many years. East brook road. Landowners owned over 1000 acres at one time. Dairy farm off Rt 10. They have since passed but their kids still own a piece about 180 acres off East brook road. 

Edited November 14, 2024 by Rjtfd

[hunterbob1]

15 hours ago, Deerslayer21 said:

Fellas looking to hunt NY next year for Rifle.  I will do my homework and find some public land to hunt. I was wondering if anyone has hunted the  Bear Spring Wildlife Management area?   I just want to know how much hunting pressure is up there and if anyone has hunted it recently?  Its a shot in the dark but, I figured I would throw it out there.  No looking for anyone's secret spots I will find my own spots. 

Hunted many moons ago. 

Top of the mountain  there's a blinking light an old abandoned trailer before going down the mountain.

Caution!!! this time of year it's could be slowly and icy before going down to downsville. if you make it. Go here 

 

Al's Sport Store
(607) 363-7740

 https://g.co/kgs/fEHF2xA

[gregtpal]

I remember when they used to hang the deer off the front porch of the Downsville hotel on main street.

As far as hunting, get your free NY city DEP access permit & that opens up big & small parcels of land all over the Catskills & across the Hudson.  Some around the reservoirs & many nowhere near the water.  Many smaller parcels have little or no pressure.

[Rjtfd]

[hunterbob1]

8 minutes ago, gregtpal said:

I remember when they used to hang the deer off the front porch of the Downsville hotel on main street.

As far as hunting, get your free NY city DEP access permit & that opens up big & small parcels of land all over the Catskills & across the Hudson.  Some around the reservoirs & many nowhere near the water.  Many smaller parcels have little or no pressure.

I first started what information from David's sports shop offered.jeeze must be 30 or more years ago.

Worked my way up outta trout town 

USA to the mountain top a friend of mine had property up there. who gave me permission to hunt it it was fun kicking the people off .not!! You know you are in private property? Oh sorry we lost. They up in New York City yellow taxi cab

[gregtpal]

15 minutes ago, Rjtfd said:

Had to save this pic & send to my buddies up there 

[Rjtfd]

I remember as a kid coming home with my dad and uncle we would see all the deer hanging. The good old days. Now you can’t put a deer on the roof of your truck. We would have 4 on the roof of the station wagon. 🤣🤣

[hunterbob1]

2 hours ago, Rjtfd said:

I remember as a kid coming home with my dad and uncle we would see all the deer hanging. The good old days. Now you can’t put a deer on the roof of your truck. We would have 4 on the roof of the station wagon. 🤣🤣

Memories , yep the good old days! 

Pull up the station wagons what did your uncle have buick? Roadmaster Chevy nomad?

 

Funny back in the day a lot of guys didn't have a truck at that time on the car on the roof on the trunk and God on the hood

[Rjtfd]

My dad had a buick. lol. Also I remember he had a Pontiac also that use to crawl up those roads coming out of downsville into Walton. 

Edited November 15, 2024 by Rjtfd