Turkey’s DEC spring season opens May 1st in Suffolk

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the 2023 spring turkey season in Suffolk County will begin on Sunday, May 1 and run through May 31, in line with management practices in New York State and Northeast. east. All Wildlife Control Block 1C (Suffolk) is open for spring turkey hunting. The demand for spring turkey hunting on DEC-managed lands requires hunters to follow certain access procedures to ensure equal hunting opportunities for all.

DEC-managed properties open for spring shotgun turkey hunting require participation in a raffle and pre-booking. To enter the draw, hunters must complete the Long Island State Spring Turkey Lands Registration Form (from the DEC website). Interested hunters must provide their name, email address, and DEC Client ID, and list the top three targets they wish to hunt. After the questionnaire is completed and sent, the hunter is included in the draw. All applications must be received by 16:45 March 13. Hunters will receive a draw number via email after submitting an application. Anyone unable to complete the online survey must contact the office at (631) 444-0310 by March 13th.

For general questions or for those unable to access the online survey, please call the DEC Wildlife Division in Region 1 at (631) 444-0310. Hunters can only submit one application. Any person submitting more than one entry will be removed from the draw. Hunting groups are limited to three hunters. Each member of a group of three hunters can submit one application.
For more information about DEC-managed facilities open for spring turkey hunting, visit the DEC website.

Spring wild turkey season features

Season dates: Month of May including holidays

Hunting time: Half an hour before sunrise until noon

Reception method: Hunters can hunt with a shotgun or pistol loaded with no more than 2 and no less than 9 shot, or with a bow. Hunters cannot use crossbows or rifles. Pistols are not allowed while hunting on public lands.

Current license and tags: To participate in the hunt, hunters must have a valid New York State hunting license and a turkey hunting permit.

Spring bag limit in Turkey for WMU 1C: No more than one bearded turkey per day; and No more than one bearded turkey per Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 1C.

Areas open in the spring season: All Wildlife Control Block 1C (Suffolk) is open for spring turkey hunting. The demand for spring turkey hunting on DEC-managed lands requires hunters to follow a special access procedure to ensure equal hunting opportunities for all. More information is available on the DEC website at the DEC Long Island Hunt web page. Properties open for spring shotgun turkey hunting require drawing input and pre-booking. Lands that will be open for Spring Turkey on Long Island include:

Lands administered by the DEC in Suffolk:

• Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest – archery only
• East Bartlett-Pine Barrens State Forest – archery only
• Carmans River Pine Barrens State Forest – archery only
• Reserve Ridge – archery only
• Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest – shotgun and archery
• Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Preserve – Shotgun & Archery
• Henrys Hollow State Forest Pine Barrens – shotgun and archery

Joint hunting grounds where the spring hunting season is allowed:

• Barcelona Neck Joint Hunting Area – Shotgun and Archery
• David A. Sarnoff Co-op Hunting Area – Shotgun and Archery
• Kings Park Co-op Hunting Area – Archery only
• Otis Pike Preserve Shared Hunting Area – Shotgun and Archery

Tidal Wetlands Properties (archery only, no booking required)

• Fireplace neck
• Havens Point
• Long Beach Bay

For more information about New York State turkey hunting regulations, visit the DEC website.

Successful hunters are strongly encouraged to bring game birds to the Ridge Hunter Check Station, located at 484 Randall Road, Ridge, NY, after the hunt. DEC staff will record biological data to help assess the season and population structure. Attendance at the checkpoint is voluntary, but caught birds must be reported within 48 hours of being caught by phone (1-866-426-3778) or through the DEC Game Harvest Reporting webpage. For station hours, visit DEC’s Long Island Hunting web page or call the Region 1 Wildlife Authority (631-444-0310).

DEC-managed lands open for shotgun turkey hunting will be closed to other users from two hours before sunrise until noon throughout the season. Real estate owned by local, county and/or state (state parks) governments may or may not allow spring turkey hunting.

Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts should check with the landowner to see if access restrictions are in place. For more information on hunting seasons and rules, please visit the DEC hunting website. For advice and additional information on turkey hunting regulations, contact your local DEC Wildlife Office at (631) 444-0310 or visit the DEC Turkey Hunting Regulations web page.

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

Hunting on Long Island

Long Island Public Hunting Grounds

Public hunting opportunities in Suffolk County, Long Island

Terms of use for DEC-managed land in Suffolk