Season Now Includes Suffolk County Hunting Opportunities
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today announced that spring turkey season opens May 1, in all counties
north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and, new for 2023, in
Suffolk County on Long Island (Wildlife Management Unit 1C).
"Opening a spring turkey
season on Long Island is a success story for wildlife conservation,"
Commissioner Seggos said. "After their
translocation to Long Island in the 1990s, turkey numbers in Suffolk
County increased to a level where these birds can now be responsibly and
sustainably harvested through recreational hunting. DEC encourages turkey
hunters throughout the state to act responsibly, follow regulations, and
adhere to the cardinal rules of hunting safety for a safe and enjoyable
season afield."
In addition to the new
opportunities on Long Island, another change that went into effect last
fall allows shot sizes as small as Number 9 for turkey hunting. This
regulatory change affects both the spring and fall seasons statewide. The
change was made to modernize regulations as technology has advanced over
the years to increase the down-range effectiveness of smaller shot sizes.
Spring turkey harvest in New
York averages about 18,000 birds and varies based on the number of
participants and turkey productivity in previous springs. This spring,
improved turkey harvest is expected compared to last year. Hunters prefer
to take toms (2+ year-old birds) typically producing a two-year lag
between summer productivity and spring take.
Overall, turkey populations
are lower now than a few years ago due to below-average reproductive
success two of the last four years. However, improved turkey productivity
in 2020 and 2022 means a greater proportion of toms available to hunters
this spring compared to last year.
Other Important Details for
the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31:
·
Hunting is permitted in most areas of the
state, except for New York City and Nassau County;
·
Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit
in addition to their hunting license;
·
Shooting hours are from one-half hour
before sunrise to noon each day;
·
Hunters may take two bearded turkeys
during the spring season, but only one bird per day and no more than one
bird per season in Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk County);
·
Hunters may not use rifles or handguns
firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun
or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than Number 2 or smaller than
Number 9, or with a bow or crossbow (except crossbows may not be used in
Westchester or Suffolk counties);
·
Successful hunters must fill out the tag
that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any
turkey harvested;
·
Successful hunters must report their
harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866
GAMERPT), or report the harvest online at DEC's Game
Harvest Reporting webpage; and
·
For more information about turkey hunting
in New York, see the 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or
visit the "Turkey Hunting" pages of DEC's
website.
Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart!
While statistics show that hunting in New York State is
safer than ever, mistakes are made each year. Every hunting-related
shooting incident is preventable. DEC encourages hunters to use common
sense this season and remember what they were taught in their DEC Hunter
Education Course including:
·
Point your gun in a safe direction;
·
Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
·
Be sure of your target and beyond;
·
Keep your finger off the trigger until
ready to shoot; and
·
Stalking stinks! Sit with your back
against a tree or other object wider than your shoulders and call birds
to you.
A hunter education class is
required for all hunters. To find a hunter education class in your area,
visit DEC's Hunter Education Program website or
call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 (1-888-486-8332).
Tips for a Successful and
Safe Turkey Hunting Season
·
Don't stalk. More than half of turkey
hunting injuries happen when one hunter stalks another;
·
Always assume any call or footsteps you
hear are from another hunter. Don't shoot until you clearly see the whole
turkey and know its sex;
·
If you see another hunter, talk to them
clearly, and don't move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another
hunter;
·
Turkeys are tough. You need to be close
before you shoot (30 yards or closer is best). You need to get a clear
head and neck shot. Do not try to shoot the turkey in the body or when
they are flying;
·
Smaller shot, Number 4, 5, and 6, work
better than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns;
·
When calling, sit still with your back
against a big tree, to hide you from turkeys and stalkers;
·
Never wear turkey colors -- red, white,
or blue;
·
Wear hunter orange when going in or out
of the woods and when walking around to make yourself more visible to
other hunters;
·
When sitting still waiting for a turkey,
put hunter orange on a tree near you to alert other hunters to your
presence; and
·
If you take a turkey or carry a decoy,
wrap it in hunter orange.
Buy Sporting Licenses Online
Sporting licenses may be purchased online at
any time and anglers may use their privileges immediately by simply
carrying their transaction number (DEC-LS#) with them while afield.
Anglers, hunters, and trappers may also use the HuntFishNY mobile
app to display an electronic copy of their license. The HuntFishNY app is available for download through the
Apple App or Google Play stores. Back tags and carcass tags must still be
mailed, and customers should allow 10-14 days for receipt of their tags.
Please visit our website for more information about sporting licenses.
Citizen Science Opportunity:
DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Turkey hunters can record the number of ruffed grouse they
hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and
abundance of this game bird. To get
a survey form, go to DEC's website or call (518) 402-8883. To
participate in DEC's Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife
surveys, visit the "Citizen Science" page of
DEC's website.
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