See us ‘live’.  We hang around Adirondack Rustic Lodge's cabins.            Descenting Closet

      Whatever your quarry, Adirondack Rustic Cabins at Sperry Pond Preserve provides 1,750 acres of private hunting ground.  And, the adjoining lands are also private, with no public access.  However, 13,000+ acres of state land are a short 10 minute drive away. 

2008 NYS Northern Zone/Adirondacks Hunting Seasons

Early Bear: September 13th to October 10th
Archery:  September 27th to October 17th
Black Powder: October 11th to October 17th
Regular Big Game: October 18th to December 7th
Turkey: Spring Youth: April 26th and 27th, Spring: May 1 - 31;   Fall: October 1 – 20*

WHITETAIL DEER HUNTING - Our pictures are worth a thousand words!  And, there are plenty more.

RUFFED GROUSE HUNTING - This really seems to be the year of the grouse, especially at Sperry.  Walking the trails, it is easy to flush out 4 birds at one time.  If you hunt with dogs, no problem.  We gladly allow dogs in the cabins.  The season for ruffed grouse is September 20th to February 29th.  

SNOWSHOE RABBIT HUNTING -  Very abundant this year. The season on rabbits is October 1 - March 16.  

BLACK BEAR HUNTING - Sperry Pond offers 1,750 acres of prime BLACK BEAR habitat with known, active bear dens on the property.  According to confirmed statistics of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Hamilton County (where we are) typically has the highest number of bear kills and the fewest number of bear hunters.  

And don't forget about the FISHING at Sperry.  Take a little time to fish for the trophy sized brook trout (23 inches...yes, brook trout, caught at Sperry).  Read the ESPN article about fishing Sperry Pond!

Weather in the Adirondacks can be tricky, especially during hunting season.  If you come to hunt, be prepared.  Weather changes very suddenly in this region, and the area can be immersed in inclement weather in no time at all.  Preparation is the key to your safety, and the quality of your hunt. 

Hurricane force winds have been observed in this area on several occasions.  In July of 1995 a "micro-burst" leveled areas of the forest near Little Tupper and Cranberry Lakes.  A smaller remnant of Hurricane Floyd knocked out power for days in September of 1999, and laid thousands of trees on the forest floor.  Storms such as these provide needed food for whitetails.  Combined with easier winters, these weather extremes have contributed to strong herds in the area.  

It's not uncommon for early season weather to be warm.  Our regular deer hunting seasons starts in late October, and often there is still plenty of fall foliage and leaves in the underbrush.  Hunters wait for killing frosts and rain showers to bring down the leaves, and open up the woods, but here in the Adirondacks, leaves fall early.

The western Adirondacks are susceptible to lake effect snowstorms as early as late October to early November.  It's not uncommon for these storms to leave a deep blanket of snow.  2007-08 was not the coldest winter season on record but it sure wasn't the warmest either. Throw in a few dustings of snow, and it was downright crunchy late in the season.  Sitting either in a stand or on a drive is for the hardiest hunters.