The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the 2024 firearms deer season in Suffolk County will begin Sunday, Jan. 7, and continue through Jan. 31, 2024, including weekends. 

New York State laws require that lands eligible for firearms deer hunting must be at least 10 acres in size and hunters must possess a valid big game hunting license, a signed landowner’s endorsement, and a town permit where required (towns of Southampton, Islip, and Smithtown). Deer may only be taken by:

• Shotgun, using a single ball or slug; or
• Muzzleloading rifle or muzzleloading pistol, shooting a single projectile having a minimum bore of 0.44 inches.

For further information on regulations and public lands available for firearms hunting in January, visit January Firearms Deer Hunting Season in Suffolk County - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

Hunters should check with local towns and villages to determine any local restrictions or discharge ordinances prior to going afield. To hunt for deer on DEC-managed lands during the firearms season, hunters must enter a drawing. Entries must be received by 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4. Hunters must complete the online entry form: https://arcg.is/0Pa8in. Hunters may only send one entry. Individuals who send more than one entry will have all their entries removed from the drawing. Each member of a two-hunter party may send one entry.

Drawing entrants will receive a notice on or before Dec. 8 telling them when to appear at the Ridge Hunter Check Station to make a reservation to hunt on DEC-managed lands. Reservations will be made Dec. 18-21. 

Additional shotgun deer hunting opportunities may be available to Suffolk County residents. Please contact Suffolk County Department of Parks at (631) 854-4949 for additional information on opportunities within Suffolk County Parks. 

The regular (bow hunting) season for deer in Suffolk County will also continue through Jan. 31, 2024. Hunters looking to archery hunt on state-managed lands during the extended season can find information https://www.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/places/long-island#Archery. All hunters are required to have a DEC-Managed Lands Access Permit to hunt on these properties.