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State forest · Region 1
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state forest in Suffolk County, 2,689 acres.
Photo: TheeErin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Where David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest is and who runs it
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest sits in Suffolk County, filed as a DEC state forest. Its town is Southampton. Region 1 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of Long Island. 2,689 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 409 state forests put it 76th. Unit plan on file: North Atlantic.
The property page says: Hunt for both small and big game. Hunting is allowed anywhere on the property, including in the neighboring Suffolk County Parks Cooperative Hunting Area, except on the areas marked as restricted or excluded. Please abide by all hunting regulations. Consult hunting on Long Island for information on hunting opportunities and obtaining hunting permits.
From DEC david a sarnoff pine barrens state for; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
Pins show David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest and 10 neighbors; Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Pine Barrens State Forest sits 2.7 mi off. Combined: 8,404 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains | State forest | 789 | 1C | 2.7 mi | southeast |
| Otis Pike Pine Barrens | State forest | 3,860 | 1C | 3.9 mi | west |
| Eastport Pine Barrens | State forest | 648 | 1C | 4.1 mi | southwest |
| Henrys Hollow Pine Barrens | State forest | 272 | 1C | 5.7 mi | east |
| Havens Point | Tidal wetland | 69 | 1C | 7.4 mi | southwest |
| Wildwood | State park | 788 | 1C | 8.3 mi | northwest |
| Calverton Pine Barrens | State forest | 191 | 1C | 8.9 mi | west |
| Panamoka Pine Barrens | State forest | 100 | 1C | 10.0 mi | west |
| Brookhaven | State park | 1,652 | 1C | 11 mi | west |
| Brookhaven Pine Barrens | State forest | 35 | 1C | 11 mi | west |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest regulations, plainly
On David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest the DEC state land use rules set the ground rules:
- Nothing may be nailed, screwed or cut on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: no permanent stands, natural blinds or shooting lanes.
- Tagged portable stands are fine on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest for the season (name and address or license number on them), then they have to be removed.
- Personal property cannot be stored on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest, and that includes trail cameras.
- ATVs and trucks are kept to designated or maintained roads.
- Plan any overnight camp around the DEC camping permit rules.
State law reminders for David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
- Fluorescent orange or pink (250 square inches above the waist, or a hat at least half orange or pink) is required for anyone hunting deer or bear with a gun.
- Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, farm building, school, playground or church without permission; bows 150 feet, crossbows 250 feet.
- No baiting for big game, upland birds, turkey or waterfowl, and no salt or mineral licks for deer or bear.
- New York allows hunting on Sundays in every county.
From DEC david a sarnoff pine barrens state for, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: Long Island seasons and permits
More than 2,700 acres of oak-pine woodland. Take I-495 to exit 71, then head east on Route 24 for about 4.5 miles to the Riverhead traffic circle. Head south on Route 104/Riverleigh Ave. Parking areas for the property are located on either side of this road.
| Season | DEC table |
|---|---|
| September Early Antlerless | Permitted |
| Regular Archery – Deer | Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 9 |
| Special Firearms – Deer | Permitted 2 |
| Small Game | Permitted 3 |
| Fall Turkey | Permitted |
| Spring Turkey | Permitted 8 |
| Waterfowl | Permitted 3 |
| Trapping | Permitted on DEC land only |
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: crossbow months
| Period | Crossbow |
|---|---|
| September (Early Antlerless) | Permitted |
| October (Regular Season) | Permitted |
| November – December (Regular Season) | Permitted |
| January (Regular Season) | Not Permitted |
Before you go: DEC Managed Land Access Permit (free, 3-year) required; Daily Access Permit where noted, and for all January firearms deer hunting on DEC-managed areas.
DEC Long Island Public Hunting Areas (2026-27 tables); checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 1C facts for David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
The WMU map puts David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest in 1C; 1C spans 903 square miles of Suffolk. 1C has unlimited Deer Management Permits in 2026. Deer in 1C may be taken only with a bow or crossbow where allowed. 1C has no open bear season. The fall turkey window for 1C is Suffolk (1C) season.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 11.6% | 100% | No | Bow only | Closed to bear hunting | Suffolk (1C) season |
Deer take in WMU 1C
1C yielded 2,700 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,207 | 1,321 |
| 2017 | 3,253 | 1,320 |
| 2018 | 3,407 | 1,281 |
| 2019 | 4,124 | 1,594 |
| 2020 | 4,525 | 1,861 |
| 2021 | 3,022 | 1,457 |
| 2022 | 2,700 | 1,310 |
DEC's bear plan for 1C reads "Incompatible for bears".
WMU facts from the 2026 DMP table, the 2026-27 DEC guide, DEC deer take reports and the DEC bear harvest dashboard; WMU from the DEC WMU layer; checked October 27, 2026.
Every season window on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
25 species have open dates on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest this license year; the table holds 37 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless, bowhunting only | WMU 1C | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Suffolk County Regular | WMU 1C | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Suffolk County Special Firearms | 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 | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Long Island east of | WMU 1C | Nov 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Hunting | Long Island | 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 | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Eastern Long Island goose | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Central Long Island goose | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Eastern Long Island goose | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Central Long Island goose | Dec 5, 2026 | Feb 3, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Eastern Long Island goose | 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 |
Season rows from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, matched to the DEC WMU, duck zone and goose area layers; checked October 27, 2026. All New York seasons.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest game species
The source names white-tailed deer and small game on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest.
White-tailed deer
Oct 1–Jan 31
Small game
Nov 1–Feb 28
Species from DEC david a sarnoff pine barrens state for; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: parking and maps
Map download: David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest Map · David A. Sarnoff Hunting Map · DECinfo Locator · DEC's nForm page · NYSDEC nForm Portal
Parking points and maps from DEC david a sarnoff pine barrens state for; checked October 27, 2026.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Southampton with 701 deer, 255 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | Suffolk | 622 | 567 | 604 | 603 | 701 | 255 |
Suffolk County deer, 2025: 3,765.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,022 | 1,457 | 927 |
| 2022 | 2,632 | 1,309 | 812 |
| 2023 | 2,637 | 1,190 | 871 |
| 2024 | 2,973 | 1,426 | 1,049 |
| 2025 | 3,765 | 1,761 | 1,296 |
DEC deer take by town and county (towns 2007-2019), county deer take 2021-2025 and DEC bear take by town; checked October 27, 2026.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest; the game column adds the big game half hour and the bird column stops at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: nearby towns and services
Riverside is the nearest town with its own page, 1.1 mi from David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | Suffolk | 1.1 mi | – | 8,275 |
| Riverhead | Suffolk | 4.2 mi | – | 8,693 |
| Shirley | Suffolk | 13 mi | – | 10,495 |
| Rocky Point | Suffolk | 15 mi | – | 9,323 |
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest falls inside these county guides: Suffolk County.
Shops that serve David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest hunters
43 licensed guides are registered in Suffolk County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; businesses from store locators and listings; DEC offices and licensed guide counts from DEC. Checked October 27, 2026.
Nearest public range for David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest hunters
From David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest, Islip Rifle & Pistol Range is the nearest DEC or government-run range (31 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest in pictures
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: short answers
How long is spring turkey on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
Which town page is closest to David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
Riverside, about 1.1 mi away.
What are the stand rules on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
What colors are required at David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest in gun season?
Orange or pink, 250 square inches, when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
What time does hunting end at David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
Big game ends 30 minutes after sunset; upland birds at sunset.
Is Sunday hunting legal at David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
Yes; New York has no Sunday ban.
Do I need a special permit for David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest measure?
About 2,689 acres by the source used here.
What Wildlife Management Unit covers David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
WMU 1C, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
WMU 1C: Suffolk County Regular (bow only) Oct 1, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027.
When can I bowhunt deer on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
Bowhunting opens Sep 12, 2026 (WMU 1C).
What game is found on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest?
White-tailed deer and small game top the list.
David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC david a sarnoff pine barrens state for · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC public hunting areas; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: mbarrison (CC BY-SA 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Under the same moon… (CC BY 2.0).