DISABLED ACCESS HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

Accessible recreational opportunities are available on Fort Drum. Hunters eligible for accessible accomodations include:

  1. Hunters possessing a New York State Non-Ambulatory Hunter Permit.
  2. Persons with severe permanent disabilities eligible for a New York State Parking Permit or License Plate.
  3. Persons with a life-threatening illness participating through a non-profit organization.

Hunters that desire accessible accommodations must contact Fort Drum's Natural Resources Branch (Raymond.E.Rainbolt.civ@army.mil) to provide appropriate paperwork and be validated in the iSportsman system.

See the NYSDEC web site for more information about accessible recreation opportunities in New York State including fishing, boating, trails, and camping.

HUNTING

Disabled Access Hunting Opportunities in the Training Area

Hunters eligible for accessible accommodations may hunt from an ATV or POV parked in a subtraining area open to recreational use for that day. Vehicles that are hunted from must be parked off designated recreational raods (reference the Fort Drum Recreational Use Map) in such a manner as to not obstruct traffic (i.e. all four wheels off the road), but within 50 feet and visible from the road. ATVs must be transported into the Training Area by vehicle or trailer and must be used in accordance with Fort Drum Regulation 420-3 paragraphs 6(j) and 6(k). The transport of weapons must be in accordance with Fort Drum Regulation paragraph 7(d); weapons on ATVs must be in a scabbard. The engine of the vehicle must be turned off while hunting and before the weapon is uncased. Hunting from vehicles must be in accordance with New York State regulations.

Hunters may also hunt from an ATV on any trail/road not designated as a recreational road in Training Areas 6A, 7E, 7F, 7G, and 17D open to recreational use for that day. Hunting from vehicles must be in accordance with the New York State regulations.  

  1. ATVs must be transported into the Training Area by vehicle or trailer which must be parked off designated recreational roads (reference Fort Drum Recreational Use Map) in such a manner as to not obstruct traffic and only next to or within the sub-training area open to recreational use for that day.
  2. ATVs must be used in accordance with Fort Drum Regulation 420-3 paragraph 6(j). The engine of the vehicle must be turned off while hunting, and before the weapon is uncased.
  3. The transport of weapons must be in accordance with Fort Drum Regulation 420-3 paragraph 7(d); weapons on ATVs must be in a scabbard.

Archery hunters must possess a valid New  York State Modified Archer Permit or Modified Crossbow Permit to use modified bows per state regulations. 

A special waterfowl hunting area with accessible blinds and a "waterfowl refuge" is located on the peninsula of Matoon Creek Marsh off of Matoon Creek Road in Training Area 17B. See the Special Waterfowl Hunting Area page for more information.

There are three designated sites in Training Area 5E which are otherwise off-limits to recreation.  Hunting is allowed for any game during its respective season at these sites. Only person validated in  the iSportsman system can check-in for these sites. Other persons can assist in hunting, but they must have a NYS hunting license and Fort Drum Recreation Permit--these persons may also hunt at the same time, but may not hunt from a vehicle or ATV and must be in reasonable proximity to the hunter they are assisting. Each site is designated with a post and sign labeled as a "center point." Hunting is allowed within a given distance from that center point. Directions, a description and photos of each site are available in the Disabled Access Hunting on Fort Drum brochure (updated 2020).

Disabled Access Hunting Opportunities in the Cantonment Area

There are four designated sites in Cantonment Hunting Area 44 (formerly Training Area 6C) which is otherwise off-limits to recreation.  These areas are within the Cantonment Area boundary and access is restricted to those persons possessing one of the following:

  1. Military I.D.
  2. Military Dependent or Family Member I.D.
  3. Retired Military I.D.
  4. Civilian Department of Defense (DoD) I.D. (i.e. CAC card)
  5. Retired Civilian Department of Defense (DoD) I.D.
  6. Contract personnel with DoD I.D. (i.e. CAC card with green stripe and magnetic strip.)

Hunting is allowed for any game during its respective season at these sites. However, these areas are part of local training areas, so hunting is allowed only on weekends, federal holidays, and training holidays. Person validated in the iSportsman system can check-in for these sites. Other persons can assist in hunting, but they must have a NYS hunting license and Fort Drum Recreation Permit--these persons may also hunt at the same time, but may not hunt from a vehicle or ATV and must be in reasonable proximity to the hunter they are assisting. Each site is designated with a post and sign labeled as a "center point." Hunting is allowed within a given distance from that center point. Directions, a description and photos of each site are available in the Disabled Access Hunting on Fort Drum brochure (updated 2020).

Disabled Access Hunting Opportunities in the Region

There is an accessible waterfowl blind at Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area in St. Lawrence Co. near the Village of Rensselaer Falls.

OTHER RESOURCES

Below are links to web sites and contacts for more information. The inclusion of these links should not be considered endorsements by Fort Drum, but are provided for information purposes only.