We are looking for neighbors that live within half a mile of the preserve to help track changing weather patterns by measuring the depth of snow in their own backyard.
We are looking for neighbors that live within half a mile of the preserve to help track changing weather patterns by measuring the depth of snow in their own backyard.
Our annual Smokey Bear Day is on Monday October 8, 2018, 10am – 2pm at the Discovery Center.
The Preserve is a natural area located near Albany, NY. The inland pine barrens of the Preserve are one of the rarest landscapes in the northeastern U.S. At present, the Preserve encompasses about 3,200 acres and is made up of lands owned by DEC, NYS Office of Parks, The Nature Conservancy, and local municipalities.
The Pine Bush Preserve is managed by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission. The Commission is comprised of representatives from state and local government, as well as scientists, conservation organizations, and business. The Commission is chaired by the NYSDEC Region 4 Director. Commission staff work closely with DEC biologists, foresters and forest rangers.
Yes. Small game may be hunted with a bow and/or shotgun in designated areas within the Preserve. Each year fishing, hunting and trapping areas are established by the Commission and DEC designating where small game hunting is open, open to special restrictions, or closed. Contact the Commission or NYSDEC for a list of areas and accompanying map.
Yes! The Preserve is an urban/suburban, multi-use natural area. Hunters need to be aware of the location of nearby houses and buildings, and recognize that other visitors may be using Preserve trails during hunting season. It is important that hunters follow all applicable laws, are courteous, and hold themselves to the highest standards of conservation and ethics. Many urban and suburban residents have had little exposure to hunting and hunters. Your appearance and behavior can either decrease fears and concerns or increase them.
Please don’t walk the trails in face paint, a head net, or with an arrow nocked. Carry your bow or gun in a case whenever possible.
Yes. Portable stands are allowed. Do not nail or screw your stand into any tree. Do not use screw-in tree steps or spikes to reach your stand. Always use a safety harness.
Yes. Trappers must register with the Commission in person before trapping in the Preserve and may not trap within 50 feet of the center of any official trail.
Yes, although they are limited. The best location is at the eastern end of the Preserve at Rensselaer Lake which is stocked annually. Most of the vernal ponds in other parts of the Preserve do not generally provide quality fishing opportunities.
NO!! Target shooting is specifically prohibited in the Pine Bush Preserve. This applies to firearms and bows. The best and safest place to target shoot is at a local shooting range. Many welcome new members. Contact DEC for a list.
Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Officers patrol all Preserve lands.
In a life threatening emergency call 911. Contact a NYS Forest Ranger at (518) 408-5850 for enforcement or APBP Stewardship Director Joel Hecht (518)456-0655, ext. 1213 for general questions. For wildlife related questions, contact DEC Wildlife Biologist Karl Parker (518)357-2066.
These rules and regulations are designed to protect, preserve and control conduct in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
Hunting, Trapping and Fishing
(a) Hunting, trapping and fishing are allowed during times designated as New York State’s open hunting, trapping and fishing seasons, in accordance with the provisions of 6 NYCRR Parts 1-188, and notwithstanding any other provision in these regulations. (b) Hunting and trapping are prohibited or restricted in those areas designated by the Commission as No Hunting Zones, Restricted Hunting Zones, No Trapping Zones, and Restricted Trapping Zones. (c) Trappers must register with the Commission in person before trapping in the Preserve. (d) Trapping is prohibited within fifty feet of the center of any official trail. (e) A person hunting, trapping or fishing must have in their immediate possession a valid New York State hunting, trapping or fishing license and, if applicable, a scientific collectors permit. (f) White-tailed deer may be hunted with a longbow only. (g) Small game may be hunted with a shotgun, .177 caliber pellet gun or longbow only. (h) Shotgun users are not permitted to possess a shotgun shell loaded with a single slug or ball. (i) Possession of a rifle or muzzle loading firearm is prohibited. (j) Legally possessed pistols, no larger than .22 caliber rimfire, may be used only to dispatch trapped wildlife. (k) Target practice with a longbow or firearm of any kind is prohibited. (l) Portable tree stands may be installed, but no earlier than 48 hours before the first day of deer hunting season and must be removed no later than 48 hours after the last day of deer hunting season. Use or construction of a permanent tree stand or the installation of a nail, spike, or other object into any vegetation is prohibited.
Consistent with 6 NYCRR Parts 1-188, and notwithstanding any other provision in these regulations, special hunts may occur for the purposes of managing wildlife populations to protect human health, safety or property, or the ecological integrity of the Preserve. Such hunts will be carried out under the supervision of the Department and the Commission.
This summary does not reflect all the rules and regulations governing the use of the Preserve. For complete special use regulations for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, please contact the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission at: 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 phone: (518)456-0655 ext. 1213
Albany Pine Bush Preserve within Wildlife Management Unit 4J. Season dates for other species may be found at here.