DEC Spring Turkey Season Opens May 1 in Suffolk County

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the 2023 spring turkey season in Suffolk County will begin Sunday, May 1 and run through May 31, consistent with management practices in New York State and the Northeast . 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.

DEC managed properties are open to shotgun spring turkeys, drawing entry and advance reservations are required.To enter the sweepstakes, hunters must complete Long Island Land Spring Turkey Drawing Registration Form (leaves DEC website). Interested hunters are asked to fill in their name, email address and DEC customer ID and list the top three properties they would like to hunt. Once the survey was completed and submitted, the hunters were entered into the drawing. All entries must be received by March 13th at 4:45pm. Hunters will receive a drawing number via email after submitting an entry. Anyone unable to complete the online survey should contact the office at (631) 444-0310 by March 13.

For general questions or those who cannot access the survey online, please contact DEC’s Region 1 Wildlife Office at (631) 444-0310. Hunters may submit only one entry. Any individual who sends more than one entry will have all entries removed from the drawing. Hunting parties are limited to three hunters. Each member of the team of three hunters can send one entry.
for More info on DEC managed properties open for spring turkey hunt Visit DEC’s website.

Spring Wild Turkey Season Details

Seasonal dates: May, including weekends

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: No more than one bearded turkey per day; no more than one bearded turkey in a Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 1C.

Areas open in spring: 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 includes:

Lands managed by the DEC in Suffolk County:

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

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

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

Tidal Wetlands Properties (Archery Only, No Reservations Required)

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  fireplace neck
• 
  safe haven point
• 
  long beach bay

additional Information About New York State Turkey Hunting Regulations It can be found on DEC’s website.

It is strongly recommended that successful hunters take harvested birds to the Ridge Hunter Check Station at 484 Randall Road, Ridge, NY after a hunt. DEC staff will record biological data to help assess seasonal and population structure.Going to the checkpoint is voluntary but must be done within 48 hours of harvest by phone (1-866-426-3778) or via DEC’s Game Harvest Report web page. For checkpoint hours of operation, visit DEC Long Island Hunting Pages Or call the Region 1 Wildlife Office (631-444-0310).

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.More Information about hunting seasons and regulations, visit DEC’s hunting web page.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