Eight state forests fall under the auspices of the Leatherstocking Management Unit named for James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales. Located at the eastern end of the Central Appalachian ecozone, they lie in or near the Butternut Valley watershed and host a plethora of wildlife such as deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbits, squirrels and coyotes as well as a variety of songbirds and birds of prey.
Hiking, jogging, fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are activities available at most locations. Primitive camping and seasonal hunting and trapping are permitted in various locations. See DEC website:
www.dec.ny.gov
1 Exeter (1957 acres),
2 Plainfield (1403 acres),
3 Basswood Pond (720 acres),
4 Hartwick (1242 acres),
5 Texas School House (1245 acres),
6 Calhoun Creek (727 acres),
7 General Jacob Morris (1190 acres) and
8 Wagner Farm (463 acres).
Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District manages county owned forest property for sustainable timber harvesting, ecosystem health and recreational opportunity. These areas are
9 Taylor Hill (427 acres),
10 Charles H. Bingham Memorial Forest (231 acres) and
11 Chapin Memorial Forest (312 acres).
Adjacent to the Butternut Valley watershed,
12 Gilbert Lake State Park is a valuable local resource with 1584 acres, offering a wide range of recreational activities as well as being home to the New York State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.