The state has expanded the special firearms deer hunting season in Suffolk to include weekends and has extended the regular bowhunting season through Jan. 31.
The state commissioner of environmental conservation announced the expansion today; it results from legislation signed into law in August by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The expanded seasons are necessary to help increase recreational deer harvest to better manage increasing deer populations in Suffolk County, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. Prior to these changes, bowhunting season for deer in Suffolk ended Dec. 31 and the special firearms season, which was established throughout Suffolk County in 2012, was weekdays only.
The new law also clarifies the town permit requirements, landowner permission requirements and legal implements for the special firearms season, according to the commissioner. The adopted regulations also include a provision waiving the town permit requirement in any town which by local law has waived the town permit requirement. However, this aspect will not take effect until January 2016.
Permit permit quotas for each town have been amended to reflect current deer management needs and allow for additional access opportunities on state land, Martens said.
The following state managed properties will be open for shotgun deer hunting from January 4-January 31: Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area, Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Preserve, Henrys Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest, Barcelona Neck Cooperative Hunting Area, David Sarnoff Cooperative Hunting Area and the Otis Pike Preserve. The East Hampton Cooperative Area and Noyac (part of the Southampton Cooperative Areas) will be open for firearms deer hunting weekdays only from January 5 – 31.
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