The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Lake Shore Marshes WMA will be closed to pheasant hunting and dog training on Tuesdays and Fridays during the pheasant hunting season. 

Northern Montezuma WMA is in the towns of Savannah and Butler in Wayne County; Conquest, Mentz, and Montezuma in Cayuga County; and Seneca Falls in Seneca County. Lake Shore Marshes WMA is in the towns of Sodus, Wolcott, Huron, and North Rose in Wayne County. 

The 2025 pheasant hunting season on Northern Montezuma and Lake Shore Marshes WMAs opens Oct. 18 and closes Dec. 31. The 2025 Youth Pheasant Hunt dates for these areas will be Oct. 11 and 12. The change will remain in effect on these properties for future pheasant hunting seasons. 

The change is consistent with regulations already in place at other WMAs in DEC Region 8 (Tonawanda, Oak Orchard, and John White WMAs). This change allows for safe and effective pheasant stocking on the WMAs and is intended to improve hunt quality and the hunting experience. Pheasant hunting in New York has a long history and is highly valued by hunters throughout the state.