Careful where you tread on Rattlesnake Hill
New York hunting map feature
DANSVILLE, N.Y. — As its name implies, you'll want to watch out for snakes at Rattlesnake Hill.
The western New York wildlife management area was named after the timber rattlers that are periodically found here. Of course, they'll be denned up now, but hunters should be wary where they walk anyway, warns DEC Region 8 wildlife manager David Odell.
The 5,467-acre WMA, one of the state's largest, is split between Livingston and Allegany counties, and therein lies the danger.
Livingston County is not open for rifle hunting, however. County lines are not clearly posted here and there is no easy way to discern Livingston from Allegany when on Rattlesnake Hill.
"The mere carrying of a rifle during deer season is presumptive evidence that you are hunting with it," said Odell.
"You can't park in Livingston and walk into Allegany and be legal."
Protecting yourself
Will a conservation officer cut you a break? That's up to the officer, but there is a solid chance you will get a ticket.
A savvy hunter will need at least a topographic map and a GPS to prove where he is hunting if they have elected to hunt with a rifle.
Map wise, you will need the USGS quadrangles of both Nunda and Ossian to cover the full management area.
Odell suggests that to be safe, a shotgun, muzzleloader, bow or handgun is best used for the remaining days of the regular big game season (Nov. 19-Dec. 11).
Hunters are of course limited to a bow or muzzleloader during the extended seasons (Dec. 12-20).
Harvest rates
Rattlesnake Hill is in Wildlife Management Unit 9P which produced 2,105 bucks, or 3.6 bucks per square mile of deer range last season and produced 5 bucks per square mile in 2003. That ranks some of the highest in the state.
Livingston County produced 3.2 bucks per square mile and Allegany County tagged 3.8. With total deer harvests of 6,093 and 10,587, respectively, the odds are in your favor.
Tagging your buck
"You have to get back in the woods to collect the trophies," said Odell.
"Rattlesnake Hill is large enough to let you get off the beaten track, but it won't be easy. The deer have already been pressured and have gone nocturnal or moved back and away from the roads."
Most deer hunters seldom move more than a half mile off the road.
To hunt the area effectively, you should be in good shape. Generally, if you are not going uphill, you are going down. There are also massive gullies and ravines to challenge your mountain goat instincts.
For example, if you enter the WMA from the west off Newville Road, there is a steady climb of 600 feet to reach the upper plain to the south and west of Ebert Road.
On the eastern portion off Scovill Road that runs through Ossian State Forest, it's a 500-foot climb to Dannack Hill Road.
While that may seem like a lot of work when you can drive around, it may be just the ticket to reach an unsuspecting deer.
Another thing in your favor is the potential tracking snow. With elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 feet, there is a significant chance you will enjoy a white ground cover. Swain, one of New York's smallest ski areas, is immediately to the south of the hill and has a long record of early-season skiing.
Kicker
If you want to sweeten your hunt, WMU 9P is open for bear hunting (rifle: through Dec. 11; bow, muzzleloader: Dec. 12-20).
Last year, Allegany County produced 22 bear, nine of which were taken with the bow.
A .270 caliber is a great deer gun, but perhaps a bit light to break a shoulder on a bear. Chose a bullet than can handle both.
WMA history
Like so many of New York's public lands, the hill was purchased in the 1930s via the Federal Resettlement Administration and then turned over to DEC.
It has a variety of upland habitats, including mature woodlands, overgrown fields, conifer plantations and apple orchards. It also has a variety of ponds and wetlands, so deer do not have to move out of protective habitat for water.
Local lodging
Dansville, which is Exit 4 off I-390, is just 8 miles to the east of Rattlesnake Hill and is the ideal place to stay if you will be hunting several days.
There are a number of hotels, inns and eating establishments. For more, call (800-536-7365).
Get there
To reach the WMA, Route 436 west from Dansville will connect with Shute Road and then Ebert Road and the interior of the hill from the north. Or you can take Dannack Hill Road and enter from the south.
Route 70, west of the hill, cuts through the southwest portion that is in Allegany County.
Guide
For guide services, contact Eric Thomas and his staff at Bristol Hills Outfitters (877-486-8246).
Material from Fishing & Hunting News
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