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Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations
Cornell University Arnot Forest
Hunting Program

All hunters are expected to follow all NYS DEC, Cornell University (CU), and Arnot Forest (AF) Rules and Regulations and to conduct themselves in a safe and ethical manner. Hunters that meet these criteria will remain eligible to apply annually.

To hunt at the AF, you must have a CU Permit for the AF:

  • Felons are not permitted to hunt on the AF.
  • It is a felony offense for any person, to knowingly possess a firearm (of any kind, regardless of NYS permits held) in or upon a building or grounds, of the university, without the written permission of the institution.
  • The AF Hunting permit provides the institutional waiver necessary to carry a firearm on the AF.
  • The CU AF Hunting Permit is specific to the hunter and may not be used by or assigned to any other individual.
  • Persons without a NYS hunting license (due to age or licensing requirements) may be hosted by a permitted Arnot Forest hunter. All firearm hunters and guests (excluding turkey hunters) are required to wear the hunter-orange as stated in these regulations. Licensed youth and unlicensed persons must always remain in visual and audible proximity to their host hunter.  Unlicensed guests or those with only a small game license may not actively participate in a deer drive.  Licensed youth with an Arnot hunting permit may hunt the Arnot in accordance with NYS law, Arnot regulations and Arnot Forest Earn-a-Buck regulations.
  • The AF Hunting Permit does not give you access to hunt on other CU lands. Permits for other lands owned by CU does not give you permission to hunt at the AF.
  • To apply for a permit, hunters must agree to a CU Police criminal background check.
  • Prior to applying you must have your NY DEC hunting license and a personal e-mail address. Each hunter needs their own email address. 
  • Permit applications are only accepted online.
  • Deadline for applying for hunting permit is October 15th. There are no exceptions!

Questions pertaining to the AF Hunting Program, contact: arnot-hunting@cornell.edu

When hunting at the AF:

  • ALL Hunting is prohibited within 500 feet of the sugarbush tubing system during the work week (Monday – Friday), excluding federal holidays.
  • You must present your license/permits upon demand to any Cornell official, Law Enforcement officer, or AF staff.
  • CU reserves the right to revoke this permit at any time.
  • Hunters must use caution. The AF is open to the public (hikers, horseback riding, picnicking, etc.) during all hunting seasons,
  • All hunters must always visibly wear their AF hunting program identification tag (supplied with permit) on their person, and display their parking permit in their vehicle dashboard while hunting.
  • No Parking is allowed along County Route 13 to access the AF. Hunter may be dropped off or picked up from CR 13.
  • Use of vehicles is only permitted on marked roadways. Vehicles are prohibited elsewhere. Hunters must hike in and out.
  • Hunter access to state land across Arnot land is denied. If your goal is to hunt state land, use state access.
  • No fires, camping, or littering, carry in, carry out.
  • ATVs, UTVs, and other off-road vehicles are not allowed on the AF.
  • Use of drugs and alcohol will not be tolerated.
  • Comply with reasonable requests (e.g. parking, dispose of trash, etc.) of AF staff while on CU property.
  • If you see a hunter or anyone that is not following the rules of the Arnot, please contact us at arnot-hunting@cornell.edu

Specific to Deer Hunting rules:

Special rules for Arnot lands east of Schuyler County Rt. Hunters may park along Decker Hill Rd.

No Parking is allowed along County Route 13.

Some of the land is archery only, some is off limits due to 500-ft. no-hunting zone surrounding private homes, as indicated by signs.

    • Do not enter a neighbor’s property to track deer without their permission.
    • All Hunters must sign in and sign out at the check-in station at the South Gate each time they hunt the AF.
      1. Hunters are responsible to follow directions on all signs at the check in station.
      2. Hunting and harvest activity must be reported upon sign out, at the south gate.
      3. Hunters will be expected to take a picture of any deer harvested.
    • Hunters are required to wear a “hunter’s orange” hat and/or vest at all times while deer hunting during firearms season.
    • Tree stands and ground blinds are allowed.
      1. Only commercial ground blinds may be used.
      2. No permanent tree stands, or screw-in tree steps may be used.
      3. Tree stands must be legibly marked with owner’s first and last name and phone number.
      4. Hunters may install temporary tree stands and ground blinds two weeks before archery season and must remove them no later than one week following the conclusion of deer season.
      5. Any tree stands or ground blinds that pierce the bark on a tree are PROHIBITED.
      6. Small tree limbs (less than 1-inch diameter) may be trimmed to set up a tree stand or ground blind, but not for clearing shooting lanes.
      7. To preserve AF lands, hunters must not collect and use surrounding wood, brush, or vegetation to further blend in their blind.
      8. Cornell is not responsible for stolen tree stands or ground blinds.
      9. Any blinds or stands remaining after the close of hunting season will become the property of AF.

Earn-a-Buck (E-a-B) Program

  • AF deer hunting is an E-a-B program, and you are requested to obtain at least one doe permit for 7R when requesting your doe permits with your NYS hunting license.
  • Hunters must document the harvest of two female deer BEFORE gaining the privilege to harvest a buck.
  • Antlerless male fawns do not count toward buck eligibility.
  • Harvest records are cumulative from season to season.
  • Notification of your Buck Eligibility will be sent to you by e-mail with your permit.

DMAPs  Hunters should obtain a 7R DMU or archery/muzzleloader tags for antlerless deer. DMAP permits are available in 2023.

You must have a valid AF Hunting Permit to use a DMAP.

  1. Bow hunters may have a permit for the bow season, if it is not used, it must be returned by the last day of the bow season.
  2. During all other seasons, DMAPs may be used for one day. Pick it up in the morning and drop it off when you are done for the day.
  3. To make arrangements to pick up a permit, contact the Arnot Forest hunter coordinator by e-mail at: arnot-hunting@cornell.edu at least 3 business days in advance of needing the permit.

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Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in a warning or immediate termination of hunting privileges, at the discretion of the E-a-B Committee and/or the Director of the AF.

Permitted hunters agree to waive and release CU of any and all claims for bodily injury while on this land. In addition, the hunter will be responsible for any and all damage done to the property should this occur and agrees to hold and save CU harmless from claims of third persons which may arise from hunting activities on University property. It is also agreed to, that the hunter will reimburse the University for any costs, including attorney fees, which it may incur in connection with any action arising from his hunting activities on the university property.

Questions regarding NYS hunting regulations, seasons, rifle use, etc. see the NYS DEC website.

To apply for a hunting permit check this website in August 2024 for the application link, deadlines and info. Permits are processed once a year.
Deadline is Oct. 15, 2024. Everyone must apply each year. No exceptions!

 

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