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Region 1 county guide
Suffolk County Hunting
Hunting Suffolk County in 2026-27: Southern Zone dates by WMU, DMP selection odds, rifle and setback rules, public land acres by kind, and harvest charts.
Photo: seanrmilligan (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Within Long Island, Suffolk County takes up 911 square miles and is run from Riverhead. The 2024 Census estimate is 1,535,909 residents, near 1,686 to the square mile. Hunters here deal with DEC Region 1; the head office is in Stony Brook. Deer, bear and turkey dates come from WMU 1C. State land managed by DEC adds up to near 18,714 acres.
Land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer, population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates, DEC region and offices from the DEC office list, WMUs from the DEC WMU season layer, DEC acres from the NYS DEC Lands layer (GIS measure). Checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Suffolk County
How DEC divides Suffolk County
WMU 1C takes in 39% of Suffolk County. Deer season here is a single bowhunting-only stretch, Oct. 1 to Jan. 31. Here the permit map shows no cap at all in 1C. Deer in 1C may be taken only with a bow or crossbow. A January firearms season (Jan 3 to Jan 31, 2027) is open to permit holders only. DMP holders get Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026 in 1C for antlerless deer. Report an antlerless deer on a DMP or Bow/Muzz tag and DEC issues a second Antlered Deer Tag (Earn-a-2nd-Buck, new in 2026).
| Unit | Of county | Zone | Bow opens | Firearms | Muzzleloader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | 39% | Southern | — | Oct. 1–Jan. 31 (bow only) | Closed |
| WMU | DMP target | Success | Res. 1st | Res. 2nd | Nonres. 1st | Antlers | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | Unlimited | 11.6% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Bow only | Closed | Nov. 21-Dec. 4 |
WMU 1C · Every DMP row · Buck rules
Unit shares and dates from the DEC WMU season layer (2026-27); DMP targets and odds from the 2026 DMP table and the guide DMP page; antler, bow-only, bear and turkey units from the 2026-27 guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Every dated hunt touching Suffolk County
For Suffolk County, 39 season segments cover big game, upland birds, waterfowl and furbearers this license year.
| Species | Season type | Where it applies | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless, bowhunting only | WMU 1C | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Suffolk County Regular (bow only) | WMU 1C | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Suffolk County Special Firearms Season | WMU 1C | Jan 3, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 1C | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 4, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 1C | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 1C | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 1C | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Long Island (cocks and hens) | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Long Island east of Shinnecock (cocks only) | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 1C | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Long Island Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Long Island Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Long Island Zone | Jan 12, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Central Long Island goose area | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Eastern Long Island goose area | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Western Long Island goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Central Long Island goose area | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Eastern Long Island goose area | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Central Long Island goose area | Dec 5, 2026 | Feb 3, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Eastern Long Island goose area | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Long Island Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Long Island Zone | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Long Island Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Long Island Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 1C | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 | |
| Mink | Hunting (Southern Zone only) | Southern Zone | Nov 10, 2026 | Apr 7, 2027 | |
| Snapping turtle | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Frogs | Hunting | Statewide | Jun 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
From the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation), WMU lists as printed, checked October 27, 2026.
Suffolk County deer numbers since 2007
DEC estimates hunters took 3,765 deer in Suffolk County in 2025, 1,761 of them adult bucks. That is 74% above the 2,159 of 2007; the high point was 2020 at 4,525. The 2025 split: 1,761 adult males, 1,296 adult females, 363 male fawns and 345 female fawns. Brookhaven produced the most deer of any town in 2019 (972).
| Season | Bucks | Buck fawns | Does | Doe fawns | All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,761 | 363 | 1,296 | 345 | 3,765 |
| 2024 | 1,426 | 180 | 1,049 | 318 | 2,973 |
| 2023 | 1,190 | 221 | 871 | 355 | 2,637 |
| 2022 | 1,309 | 246 | 812 | 265 | 2,632 |
| 2021 | 1,457 | 368 | 927 | 270 | 3,022 |
| 2020 | 1,861 | 386 | 1,909 | 369 | 4,525 |
| Year | Adult bucks | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,614 | 4,036 |
| 2018 | 1,310 | 3,407 |
| 2017 | 1,348 | 3,254 |
| 2016 | 1,356 | 3,206 |
| 2015 | 1,205 | 3,397 |
| 2014 | 1,175 | 3,491 |
| 2013 | 983 | 2,873 |
| 2012 | 985 | 2,655 |
| 2011 | 983 | 2,986 |
| 2010 | 958 | 2,991 |
| 2009 | 823 | 2,777 |
| 2008 | 805 | 2,528 |
| 2007 | 781 | 2,159 |
Suffolk WMUs in 2022
| WMU | All deer | Bucks/sq mi | DMPs out | Taken on DMPs | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | 2,700 | 1.5 | 11,848 | 1,338 | 11.3% |
DEC 2025 deer take by county, earlier Deer Take by Town and County reports and the DEC deer and bear page; WMU and DMP figures from DEC deer reports (2022). Checked October 27, 2026.
Suffolk County bear take, turkey dates and duck zones
Bear areas and take
DEC lists no open bear area here.
Turkey dates
Autumn turkey hunting: 1C Nov. 21-Dec. 4, bag one. Spring turkey runs the month of May (May 1 to May 31, 2027) after the Apr 24 to Apr 25, 2027 youth weekend. DEC reports spring take by WMU groups, not counties; Coastal Lowlands took about 292 birds in 2026.
| Turkey region | Units | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Lowlands | 1A,1C,2A | 290 | 370 | 292 |
Waterfowl
Duck zone: Long Island. Canada goose areas: Western Long Island, Central Long Island and Eastern Long Island.
| Goose area | Segment | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Western Long Island | Nov 7–Feb 21, 2027 | 8 |
| Central Long Island | Sep 8–Sep 30, 2026 | 15 |
| Central Long Island | Nov 21–Nov 29, 2026 | 3 |
| Central Long Island | Dec 5–Feb 3, 2027 | 3 |
| Eastern Long Island | Sep 8–Sep 30, 2026 | 15 |
| Eastern Long Island | Nov 21–Nov 29, 2026 | 2 |
| Eastern Long Island | Dec 5–Jan 24, 2027 | 2 |
Where bears are open · Turkey units · Duck zones
Bear areas and dates from the guide bear page; county bear take from DEC Bear Take by Town and County tables; 2025 by WMU and heaviest bears from the 2025 Bear Harvest Summary; turkey dates from the guide turkey page and spring take from the DEC turkey harvest page; waterfowl from the guide migratory bird pages. Checked October 27, 2026.
Suffolk County public land with acreage
The map pins 48 tracts inside Suffolk County and 2 neighbours just beyond it. Check the park page: each one sets its own hunting permit and season. The pheasant release program reaches Suffolk County. DEC's waterfowl hunting areas map includes spots in Suffolk County.
- National seashore: 1Fire Island National Seashore (18,932 acres)
- State forests, 16 hereRocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest (5,796 acres), Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest (3,860 acres), David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest (2,689 acres), Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Pine Barrens State Forest (789 acres), Shoreham Pine Barrens State Forest (740 acres), Eastport Pine Barrens State Forest (648 acres), Linda A. Gronlund Memorial State Forest at Barcelona Neck (289 acres), Henrys Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest (272 acres), Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest (191 acres), Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center (190 acres), Longwood Pine Barrens State Forest (165 acres), East Bartlett Pine Barrens State Forest (105 acres), Panamoka Pine Barrens State Forest (100 acres), Patriots Hollow State Forest (42 acres), Brookhaven Pine Barrens State Forest (35 acres), Carmans River Pine Barrens State Forest (27 acres)
- State parks with hunting, 6 hereHither Hills State Park (1,665 acres), Brookhaven State Park (1,652 acres), Napeague State Park (1,424 acres), Wildwood State Park (788 acres), Montauk Point State Park (781 acres), Amsterdam Beach State Park (199 acres)
- National wildlife refuges, 2 hereWertheim National Wildlife Refuge (2,569 acres), Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge (203 acres)
- Tidal wetland areas, 12 listedLong Beach Bay Tidal Wetland Area (410 acres), Timber Point Tidal Wetland Area (178 acres), Fireplace Neck Tidal Wetland Area (175 acres), Flax Pond Tidal Wetland Area (149 acres), Ludlow Creek Tidal Wetland Area (128 acres), Babylon Marshes Tidal Wetland Area (116 acres), Johns Neck Tidal Wetland Area (87 acres), Havens Point Tidal Wetland Area (69 acres), Conscience Bay-Little Bay Tidal Wetland Area (65 acres), Bellport Bay Tidal Wetland Area (53 acres), Northwest Harbor Tidal Wetland Area (47 acres), Congdon Point Tidal Wetland Area
- State park units, 1 listedHither Woods (558 acres)
- Conservation easement tracts (1)Broad Cove Preserve (100 acres)
- Unique areas, 1 listedKings Park Unique Area (69 acres)
- Cooperative hunting area units, 6 listedAmsterdam Beach, Barrel Hill (Southampton Cooperative Hunting Area), Great Swamp (Southampton Cooperative Hunting Area), Noyac (Southampton Cooperative Hunting Area), Southampton Hills (Southampton Cooperative Hunting Area), Tuckahoe Swamp (Southampton Cooperative Hunting Area)
- Cooperative hunting areas: 2East Hampton Cooperative Hunting Area, Southampton Cooperative Hunting Area
DEC Pheasant Release Sites (statewide program) · DEC Places to Hunt Waterfowl (statewide map)
Just past the Suffolk County line
- Louden Point (NYC DEP Recreation Unit)55 miles from centre · 165 acres
- Big Peninsula (NYC DEP Recreation Unit)56 miles from centre · 303 acres
Off-limits to hunters: Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Hallock State Park Preserve, Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park, Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park and Belmont Lake State Park and 16 more.
Land statewide · WMA pages · State forest index
Tracts from our New York land list (DEC property pages, OPRHP, USFWS, USFS and DEP records); acres by kind from the NYS DEC Lands layer and the USFS ownership layer (GIS measures, not official acreages). Checked October 27, 2026.
Weapons and safety rules in Suffolk County
Rifle limits here: Westchester and Long Island (no rifles at all, ECL 11-0931(5)). Bow or crossbow only: Suffolk (1C, except January special firearms). The discharge setback is 500 feet for firearms, 500 for crossbows and 150 for vertical bows. Firearm big game hunters must show orange or pink from all directions. Mineral blocks and salt licks count as illegal deer feeding. Sunday is a normal hunting day.
CWD status
DEC keeps testing: 3,050 deer in 2025-2026, zero positive. Out-of-state deer must be deboned before they cross into New York.
| Season | Deer tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 2,967 | 0 |
| 2022-2023 | 2,727 | 0 |
| 2023-2024 | 2,713 | 0 |
| 2024-2025 | 3,189 | 0 |
| 2025-2026 | 3,050 | 0 |
The 12-13 firearm and crossbow deer pilot depends on county opt-in; check DEC's map. DEC junior page
Hunting laws · Disease rules · Youth rules
Rifle areas and setbacks from the guide legal implements map; orange from the guide big game rules; baiting from the general regulations; Sunday hunting from the guide; CWD from the DEC CWD page and the CWD surveillance plan. Checked October 27, 2026.
Suffolk County help after the shot
Licenses sell online, by phone and at town clerks and license agents; the license year starts Sept. 1. 43 licensed guides list a Suffolk County address. 9 clerk offices sell licenses in Suffolk County.
Regional contacts
DEC Region 1 is run from Stony Brook; call (631) 444-0200 for general questions. By straight line, NYSDEC Region 1 Headquarters (Stony Brook) (22 miles) is nearest.
Get a deer cut
For a mount
Preserves and outfitters
Gear shops
Offices from the DEC office list; processors from the DEC 2026 processor list and directories; guides and clerks from DEC data.ny.gov lists; shops from directories and store locators. Checked October 27, 2026; call ahead. All New York hunting services.
Suffolk County towns and bordering counties
Use a Suffolk County town page to see the closest public land by distance.
- Riverheadcounty seat · 8,693 public ac inside 10 mi
- Islip1,110 public ac inside 10 mi
- Noyack452 public ac inside 10 mi
- Riverside8,275 public ac inside 10 mi
- Rocky Point9,323 public ac inside 10 mi
- Sayville1,327 public ac inside 10 mi
- Shelter Island Heights452 public ac inside 10 mi
- Shirley10,495 public ac inside 10 mi
Counties sharing a line with Suffolk County: 1 in New York, plus Greater Bridgeport Planning Region (CT), Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region (CT), South Central Connecticut Planning Region (CT), Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region (CT), Washington (RI) and Western Connecticut Planning Region (CT).
Towns from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
Suffolk County legal hunting light
Deer and bear may be taken from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks and geese close at sunset, and small game runs sunrise to sunset.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:42 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:46 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:11 a.m. | 5:59 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:45 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:07 a.m. | 4:23 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 4:23 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:15 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:50 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 8:16 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
Hours rule from the DEC guide sunrise and sunset page; sun times calculated for the county centre (NOAA method), checked against the guide’s Albany table; checked October 27, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
On the calendar in Suffolk County
As of October 27, 2026, 9 upcoming events.
Still ahead
| On | Listing | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Peconic Bay Ducks Unlimited Banquet · DU dinner | American Legion POST 803 Southold | Get tickets | Source |
| Nov 7, 2026 | 29th Long Island Youth Waterfowl Program – youth hunt day · youth waterfowl hunt | Southaven County Park or Hubbard County Park | Event details | Source |
| Nov 15, 2026 | South Shore DU Pasta & Meatballs · DU chapter party | Casa de Campanelli Dix Hills | Get tickets | Source |
| Nov 19, 2026 | Waterfowl Hunting 101 · HuntFishNY waterfowl workshop | Middle Country Public Library Selden Building | Register with DEC | Source |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Four Harbors Ducks Unlimited Cocktail Party · DU cocktail party | The Moore Residence St. James | Get tickets | Source |
| Nov 30, 2026 | East Hampton Town Gun Raffle · DU gun raffle | Sagaponak | Get tickets | Source |
| Dec 2–5, 2026 | 2026 Region 1 Pheasant Hunt · mentored pheasant hunt | Longwood Public Library Middle Island | Reserve a spot | Source |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Eastern Suffolk Cocktail Party · DU cocktail party | The Clubhouse East Hampton | Get tickets | Source |
| Dec 10, 2026 | Western Suffolks Second Season Party · DU chapter party | The Taproom Bay Shore | Get tickets | Source |
Suffolk County ranges and match dates
Suffolk County has 20 listed ranges, including the public Islip Rifle & Pistol Range.
| Facility | Town | What it offers | Access rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Point Archery (an archery range) | Patchogue | archery/3D archery | Access not stated |
| Sporting Clays for Charity (a sporting clays course) | Manorville | sporting clays/shotgun | Access not stated |
| Suffolk Trap Skeet & Sporting Clays (a sporting clays course) | Yaphank | trap/skeet/sporting clays/5-stand/shotgun | Access not stated |
| Baits & Barrels (an indoor range) | Riverhead | Access not stated | |
| Belmont Rod and Gun Club (a rod and gun club) | Ronkonkoma | Members only | |
| Dark Storm Retail Gun Store and Range New York (an outdoor range) | Oakdale | Access not stated | |
| Guardian Guns, Ammo & Indoor Gun Range (an indoor range) | Deer Park | Access not stated | |
| Happy Pineapples Skeet Club (a trap and skeet club) | Melville | skeet/shotgun | Members only |
| Magnums Force Pistol and Rifle (an outdoor range) | Lindenhurst | handgun/rifle | Access not stated |
| Peconic River Sportsmans Club (a trap and skeet club) | Manorville | trap/shotgun | Access not stated |
| Primers Gun Club (a rod and gun club) | Brentwood | Members only | |
| S Shore Rifle & Pistol (an outdoor range) | West Babylon | rifle/handgun | Access not stated |
| Town of Islip Range (an outdoor range) | Islip | rifle/handgun/smallbore rimfire | Access not stated |
| Trapshooting Club of Long Island (a trap and skeet club) | East Islip | trap/shotgun | Members only |
Upcoming here
| When, name | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2026 / Deer Park Antique and Modern Gun Show | Gun show | See listing |
| Nov 14-15, 2026 / Holtsvile Gun Show | Gun show | See listing |
Ranges from DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Suffolk County hunters ask
Does DEC count turkeys by county in Suffolk County?
No. Spring take is reported by WMU aggregate; see the table above.
How many bears come from Suffolk County?
No county figure is listed.
Can I leave a tree stand on state land in Suffolk County?
Only a portable stand labeled with your name and address or DEC ID, removed at season end; no permanent stands.
Is there a youth waterfowl hunt in Suffolk County?
Yes, Nov 7 to Nov 8, 2026 (Long Island Zone).
What is the DEC phone for Suffolk County?
(631) 444-0200; wildlife (631) 444-0310.
Is CWD found in Suffolk County?
No. CWD is not known in wild New York deer; the last wild positives were in 2005.
Which WMUs cover Suffolk County?
1C; 1C is the largest at 39% of the county.
Which processors take deer from Suffolk County?
True-Life Taxidermy, Tommy the Butcher and Kahl's Deer Processing, sorted by distance from mid-county.
Do young hunters follow antler restrictions in Suffolk County?
There is no antler restriction here to follow.
When is the DMP deadline for Suffolk County?
Oct 1, 2026 for limited units; unlimited units accept applications any time.
Answers from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, the DMP pages, harvest reporting rules, DEC harvest data and the sources above. Checked October 27, 2026.
Suffolk County: before you go
Where this page and the guide differ, follow the guide.
Sources: 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, DEC hunting, Census and the agencies linked in each section. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); The Cornell IPM Image Gallery (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).