Saratoga Spa State Park announced that a limited bow‑ and cross‑bow hunting season will run from Oct. 13, 2026, through Jan. 1, 2027. The park will issue only 15 permits for the season, all of which will be drawn through a lottery system. The permits apply to a designated 600‑acre area within the park.
The lottery will be the sole method for allocating the permits, ensuring that the small number of hunters is distributed randomly among applicants. Interested hunters must submit their applications according to the schedule set by the park, after which the lottery will determine the successful participants. No additional permits will be available beyond the fifteen allocated for the entire season.
The limited opening is intended to help manage the park’s deer population. By allowing a controlled number of bow and cross‑bow hunters, officials aim to reduce deer numbers to levels that support ecological balance and reduce conflicts with park visitors. The 600‑acre section was selected because it offers suitable terrain for safe hunting while keeping other park activities unaffected.
The season will run for nearly three months, concluding on Jan. 1, 2027. Hunters who receive permits must adhere to park regulations, including safety zones, equipment restrictions, and reporting requirements. The park’s wildlife management team will monitor the impact of the hunt throughout the period to assess its effectiveness in controlling deer numbers.