The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the 2026 firearms deer season in Suffolk County will begin Sunday, January 4, and continue through January 31, 2026. 

New for the 2026 January deer hunting season, DEC has streamlined the reservation method to hunt on State-managed lands to an online system. Instead of requiring hunters to make an in-person reservation at the Ridge Hunter Check Station, hunters can now fully complete their reservation through Reserve America. 

To hunt for deer on DEC-managed lands during the firearms season, hunters will be required to create a free Reserve America account at https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Please note: this is different from the general Reserve America login used for reservations at New York State Parks and DEC campgrounds. If you already have a Reserve America login, you will need to create a new account at the link listed above. Through Reserve America, hunters will be able to make a reservation for the same locations that have always been available during the January season. 

Reserve America will open to initial reservations on December 15, 2025, at 9 a.m. and remain open through December 19, 2025, until 5 p.m. During this reservation window, hunters can make one reservation for any available day and hunting location. Starting December 28, at 9 a.m., hunters can make additional reservations for remaining available hunting dates and areas up to one week in advance of the hunt date. Hunters will still be required to check in the day of the hunt at the appropriate hunter check station for all properties except Noyac and Barcelona Neck, for which permits will be emailed. 

Step-by-step instructions on reserving a time and location on a DEC-managed property are available on DEC’s Hunting on Long Island webpage. For further information on regulations and public lands available for firearms hunting in January, visit January Firearms Deer Hunting Season in Suffolk County. 

The regular bow hunting season for deer in Suffolk County will also continue through January 31, 2026. Archery hunters can access select areas with the use of a managed land access permit. For more information on locations where archery is allowed, visit Hunting on Long Island - NYSDEC.