FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Military personnel and their Families, Department of Defense civilian employees and members of the general public are all welcome to fish, hunt, birdwatch and pursue other recreational opportunities on Fort Drum training lands.
Participants in any recreational activity must first obtain a Fort Drum recreation permit and access pass. Recreation permits and access passes are valid from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.
Permits are available in person at the Natural Resources Permit Office, Bldg. S-2509, on Route 26 between Great Bend and Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield. The Natural Resources Permit Office will be open now and through the summer from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Hours will be extended in September.
To obtain a Fort Drum recreation permit in person, applicants must present a photo ID and current New York state hunting, fishing or trapping license. Transactions are cash or U.S. Postal Service money orders only.
Permits also are available through the mail. Application instructions and forms are available to download from Fort Drum's Fish and Wildlife Management web site; or, they can be picked up at the Natural Resources Permit Office or Fort Drum's Fish and Wildlife Management Office, Bldg. T-4848.
New York state licenses are now available for purchase at the Post Exchange on Fort Drum as well as sporting goods stores, town clerk offices and some major discount stores. Licenses are not available at the Natural Resources Permit Office.
Turkey hunting season begins in the Northern Zone (including Fort Drum) on May 1 and runs through the entire month. A special youth only turkey hunt takes place throughout New York state April 24-25.
Trout season has begun, but stocking trout on Fort Drum usually does not occur until the last week of April or first week of May. Northern pike and walleye season begins May 1; bass season begins June 19.
The mild spring weather is providing excellent birdwatching and other wildlife viewing opportunities.
Before entering training areas, all recreationists must first check in daily with Range Division by calling the Sportsman's Hotline at 772-7153. The hotline is updated at about 6 p.m., listing training areas that will be open the next day. Upon leaving their permit number, recreationists may access any training area that is open for recreation that day.
For more information including fish stocking maps, wildlife viewing reports and notices for special hunting and fishing opportunities, check out Fort Drum's Fish and Wildlife Management web site at http://www.drum.army.mil/garrison/pw/FishAndWild.html.
Social Sharing