DEC Announces First-Ever Spring Long Island Wild Turkey Hunting Season

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today the dates for the first spring Long Island wild turkey hunting season. The start of this new season is the result of a wild turkey reintroduction effort initiated by DEC in the mid-1990s.

“DEC is excited to offer Long Island hunters additional local turkey hunting opportunities,” said Cathy Haas, Regional Director of DEC. “Not only does this new season provide more opportunities for local hunters, but it also serves as an example of how a local extinct population can be successfully reintroduced and allowed to thrive. Thanks to the hard work of DEC area wildlife, both fall and new spring The collaborative effort of possible staff, as well as local hunters and volunteers who took the time to share their turkey sightings, allowed our staff to assess population health and growth.”

In 2009, the region had its first fall-only wild turkey season. DEC carefully monitored this new season over the next few years and confirmed that the Long Island wild turkey population could continue to thrive under hunting pressure. Long Island has proven to be an area where wild turkey can be hunted safely and successfully, with no hunting safety incidents reported during the entire 14 fall seasons.

The spring wild turkey season will begin May 1 and run through May 31, consistent with management practices in New York State and the Northeast.

Seasonal dates: May 1-31

Hunting time: Half an hour before sunrise to noon

How to use: Hunters can hunt with shotguns or pistols with a charge of no more than 2 and no less than 9, or bows and arrows. Hunters may not use crossbows or rifles. Handguns are not permitted while hunting on state land.

Valid licenses and labels: Hunters must have a valid New York State hunting license and turkey license to participate in the hunt.

WMU 1C Spring Turkey Baggage Allowance:

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  Not more than one bearded turkey per day; and
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  Not more than one bearded turkey in a Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 1C

Additional information about New York State Turkey Hunting Regulations It can be found on DEC’s website. Successful hunters are strongly encouraged to bring harvested birds to the Ridge Hunter Check Station at 484 Randall Road, Ridge, NY. DEC staff will record biological data to help assess seasonal and population structure.Visiting the checkpoint is not mandatory, but all harvested birds must be reported within 48 hours by phone (1-866-426-3778) or through DEC Game Harvest Report Page. For checkpoint hours of operation, visit DEC’s Hunting on Long Island Web Page Or call the Region 1 Wildlife Office (631-444-0310).

The Current Status of Long Island Wild Turkeys

Long Island’s wild turkey population is an example of successful restoration and management efforts. Long Island’s wild turkey population disappeared in the late 19th century^day century due to forest habitat loss as these environments were cleared for colonial farms and firewood. In the mid-1990s, DEC captured approximately 75 wild turkeys in upstate New York and released them at three locations in Suffolk County. It is estimated that Long Island’s bird population is now over 3,000 and counting.

In many parts of Suffolk County and some parts of Nassau County, wild turkeys have become a common sight and have reached levels where nuisance permits have been issued to control the damage caused by the birds. degree. DEC monitors population size and distribution through annual August turkey surveys, bow hunter sighting logs, and harvest indices. Based on this information, DEC determined that the population is sufficient to support the spring hunting season.

spring open area

All areas of Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk) are open for spring turkey hunting. The demands of spring turkey hunting on DEC-managed lands necessitate that hunters follow specific admission procedures to ensure equal hunting opportunities for all. For more information, visit the DEC website: DEC’s Long Island Hunting Web Page. Properties open to shotgun spring turkey hunting require entry of drawings and advance reservations.the land that will be Long Island Spring Turkey Open yes:

Lands managed by the DEC in Suffolk County:

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  Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest – Archery Only
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  East Bartlett Pine Barrens State Forest – Archery Only
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  Carmans River Pine Barrens State Forest – Archery Only
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  Ridge Reserve – Archery Only
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  Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest – Shotgun and Archery
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  Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Preserve – Shotguns and Archery
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  Henrys Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest – Shotgun and Archery

The cooperative hunting areas that allow the spring hunting season are:

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  Barcelona Neck Cooperative Hunting Area – Shotgun and Archery
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  David A. Sarnoff Cooperative Hunting Area – Shotgun & Archery
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  Kings Park Cooperative Hunting Area – Archery Only
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  Otis Spike Reserve Cooperative Hunting Area – Shotgun and Archery

Tidal Wetland Properties: (Archery only, no reservation required)

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  fireplace neck
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  safe haven point
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  long beach bay

DEC-managed lands are open to shotgun turkeys and will be closed to other users throughout the season from two hours before sunrise until noon. Spring turkey hunting may or may not be permitted on local, county, and/or state (state park) government-owned property. Hunters and recreational enthusiasts should contact the landowner to determine if access restrictions exist.For more information on hunting seasons and regulations, visit DEC’s Hunting Pages. For tips and more details about turkey hunting regulations, contact the DEC Regional Wildlife Office at (631) 444-0310 or visit DEC’s Turkey Hunting Regulations webpage.

More information can be found at the following pages:

long island hunting

Long Island Public Game Areas

Public Hunting Opportunities in Suffolk, Long Island

Suffolk County DEC Manages Land Use Conditions