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State forest · Region 1
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this state forest in Suffolk County, 5,796 acres.
Photo: TheeErin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest
Where Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest is and who runs it
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest sits in Suffolk County, filed as a DEC state forest. Its town is Brookhaven. Region 1 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of Long Island. 5,796 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 409 state forests put it 21st. Unit plan on file: North Atlantic.
The property page says: Consult Hunting on Long Island for information on hunting opportunities and obtaining hunting permits. See Long Island Public Hunting Areas for specifics on the types of hunting that are allowed on this property. Special regulations that relate to this property are in effect for the January firearms deer hunting season . For questions related to hunting on this property, call the Stony Brook office at (631) 444-0310.
From DEC rocky point pine barrens state forest; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest is Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center, 2.4 mi away to the southeast. Combined: 3,870 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Pine Barrens State | State forest | 190 | 1C | 2.4 mi | southeast |
| Brookhaven Pine Barrens | State forest | 35 | 1C | 3.0 mi | southeast |
| Brookhaven | State park | 1,652 | 1C | 3.1 mi | east |
| Shoreham Pine Barrens | State forest | 740 | 1C | 3.1 mi | northeast |
| Panamoka Pine Barrens | State forest | 100 | 1C | 4.0 mi | east |
| East Bartlett Pine Barrens | State forest | 105 | 1C | 4.1 mi | south |
| Calverton Pine Barrens | State forest | 191 | 1C | 5.2 mi | east |
| Carmans River Pine Barrens | State forest | 27 | 1C | 6.4 mi | south |
| Wildwood | State park | 788 | 1C | 7.3 mi | east |
| Patriots Hollow | State forest | 42 | 1C | 9.8 mi | west |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest regulations, plainly
On Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest the DEC state land use rules set the ground rules:
- Nothing may be nailed, screwed or cut on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: no permanent stands, natural blinds or shooting lanes.
- Tagged portable stands are fine on Rocky Point 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 Rocky Point 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 Rocky Point 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 rocky point pine barrens state forest, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: Long Island seasons and permits
More than 5,700 acres of oak-pine forest with some fields and small forest openings. This includes the nearby Longwood Pine Barrens State Forest. Pheasants are stocked in November and December. Take I-495 to exit 68 and head north on the William Floyd Parkway. Take the exit for Middle Country Road/Route 25 and head west to access the southern part of the property, or continue north and take the exit for Route 25A and head west to access the northern part of the property.
| Season | DEC table |
|---|---|
| September Early Antlerless | Permitted |
| Regular Archery – Deer | Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 1,2*,9 |
| Special Firearms – Deer | Permitted 2, 2* |
| Small Game | Permitted 1,3 |
| Fall Turkey | Permitted 1 |
| Spring Turkey | Permitted 8 |
| Waterfowl | Permitted 1,3 |
| Trapping | Permitted 7 |
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: crossbow months
| Period | Crossbow |
|---|---|
| September (Early Antlerless) | Permitted |
| October (Regular Season) | Permitted |
| November – December (Regular Season) | Permitted 1 |
| January (Regular Season) | Permitted 2 |
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 Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest
The WMU map puts Rocky Point 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 Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest
25 species have open dates on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest this license year; the table holds 34 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 | Regular season | Central Long Island goose | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Central Long Island goose | Dec 5, 2026 | Feb 3, 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.
Stocked pheasants at Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest is on the 2026 DEC pheasant stocking list with 2,480 birds over 9 stockings.
| Release site | Access | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Releases | Birds 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Point WMA | Public – special rules | Brookhaven | 100 | Youth, regular | 9 | 2,480 |
| Week of | Birds |
|---|---|
| 10/19 | 160 |
| 10/26 | 240 |
| 11/2 | 240 |
| 11/09 | 240 |
| 11/16 | 240 |
| 11/23 | 240 |
| 11/30 | 240 |
| 12/07 | 240 |
| 12/14 | 240 |
| 12/21 | 240 |
| 12/28 | 160 |
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: species list
The source names white-tailed deer and ring-necked pheasant on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest.
White-tailed deer
Oct 1–Jan 31
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 24–Oct 25
Species from DEC rocky point pine barrens state forest; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: parking and maps
Park at one of the 6 access points DEC gives for Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest.
| Access and location | Map |
|---|---|
| North Hiking Trailhead Parking Lot: 40.9445, -72.9489 | Open map |
| Bypass parking area west: 40.9456, -72.9302 | Open map |
| Bypass parking area east: 40.9459, -72.9194 | Open map |
| Road Horse Trail Parking Lot: 40.9082, -72.9483 | Open map |
| Demonstration Forest Parking Lot: 40.9069, -72.9151 | Open map |
| South Bicycle Trailhead Parking Lot: 40.9114, -72.9418 | Open map |
Map download: Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest Hiking Map · Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest Mountain Biking Map · Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest Horse Riding Map · Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest Hunting Map · DEC's nForm page · Ridge Conservation Area
Accessible facilities: From the Middle Country Road Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Hiking trail The yellow trail is 0.5 mile one way and has a gentle grade (max. slope 5%), wide tread (min. width 4 feet), and firm crushed stone surface. From the Whiskey Road Horse Trail Parking Area , wheelchair accessible features include the: Equestrian mounting platform
Parking points and maps from DEC rocky point pine barrens state forest; checked October 27, 2026.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of Brookhaven with 972 deer, 426 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookhaven | Suffolk | 706 | 783 | 794 | 825 | 972 | 426 |
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.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Rocky Point 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.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: nearby towns and services
Rocky Point is the nearest town with its own page, 1.1 mi from Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Point | Suffolk | 1.1 mi | – | 9,323 |
| Shirley | Suffolk | 9.6 mi | – | 10,495 |
| Riverhead | Suffolk | 13 mi | – | 8,693 |
| Riverside | Suffolk | 13 mi | – | 8,275 |
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest falls inside these county guides: Suffolk County.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: businesses close by
43 licensed guides are registered in Suffolk County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Rocky Point 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.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: hunts, courses and dinners nearby
2 upcoming events here or close by as of October 27, 2026.
Upcoming here
| On | Listing | Away | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2026 | Waterfowl Hunting 101 · HuntFishNY waterfowl workshop | 7 | Middle Country Public Library Selden Building | Register with DEC | Source |
| Dec 2–5, 2026 | 2026 Region 1 Pheasant Hunt · mentored pheasant hunt | 3 | Longwood Public Library Middle Island | Reserve a spot | Source |
Nearest public range for Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest hunters
From Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, Islip Rifle & Pistol Range is the nearest DEC or government-run range (19 miles). Nearby rod and gun clubs fill the remaining cards.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest in pictures
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: short answers
How long is spring turkey on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
Yes; DEC stocks it (2,480 birds this year).
Which town page is closest to Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
Rocky Point, about 1.1 mi away.
What are the stand rules on Rocky Point 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 Rocky Point 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 Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
Big game ends 30 minutes after sunset; upland birds at sunset.
How does access work on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest measure?
About 5,796 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
WMU 1C, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
WMU 1C: Suffolk County Regular (bow only) Oct 1, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027.
When can I bowhunt deer on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
Bowhunting opens Sep 12, 2026 (WMU 1C).
What game is found on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest?
White-tailed deer and ring-necked pheasant top the list.
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC rocky point pine barrens state forest · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC public hunting areas · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: The Cornell IPM Image Gallery (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); NPS Photo (Public domain).