Spear

I'll be heading out on Wednesday, but will have to do standby as my reservation isn't until the 13th - I'll be in Rocky Point. Many people that hunt rifle opening day in PA say it's like WW3 with the amount of shots heard...I was just joking if it's mayhem on the Island during shotgun season.

How many of you are heading out tomorrow? This is my first shotgun season I'll be partaking in. Is it going to be like PA opening day?

You are correct - I should have been more detailed in my response. The check-in is only for Rocky Point and Otis Pike. That being said, you do not have to check-in for the spots south of the LIE in Otis. Regarding the Suffolk County parks, I have not hunted them so I'm not positive on their regs. To hunt these county parks you need to have a Suffolk County Green Key Card and a Suffolk County Parks Archery Permit. If you are able to obtain these, you will have access to 128 parking spots. I plan on getting these together for next season. I believe Shelter Island is the only spots you need to make a reservation for archery, although I could be missing where they talk more about reservations for county parks. I don't know much about the shotgun season for county parks. I plan on getting this stuff together for next season. Here are some links below you might have useful. https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/Things-To-Do/Hunting/Archery https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/0/formsdocs/parks/Maps/2020-21 Archery Hunting Areas Map with SI.pdf https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/0/formsdocs/parks/Maps/2020-21 Archery Site Summary.pdf Edit: I realize you're original question is about small game hunting, just want to pass this info along if could be of any use.

I know they released some in 1C right before Christmas. Not sure if they will be releasing anymore.

Small game hunting is by check-in only starting November through December. During the January firearms season, there is no small game hunting on a majority of the DEC managed lands, see below. During the check-in months, small game hunters are let out 15mins before sunrise on non-holiday weekdays. On weekends and holidays, AM hunting is reservation only. That being said, after 8:30a.m (weekdays and weekends) you can go to which ever spot you want - I'm still trying to figure out the point of the reservation system if after 8:30a.m. it turns into a free-for-all. The check-in/reservation sounds like it's a big pain in the ass, but it's really not that bad as I thought it would be. Just takes some getting used to. Suffolk has a ridiculous amount of rules and regs. I've been hunting Suffolk for years and still trying to figure some of it out.

Wow, how is that allowed? I had no idea you can sleep at the check-in station. Learn something new everyday.

Are you saying they sleep at the parking spot or check-in station? Either way, they should be receiving tickets from DEC LEO. You're only allowed to park in a parking spot 2 hours before sunrise, which is impossible with the check-in system as small game hunters are let out 15mins before sunrise.

Been hunting LI public for years, but this will be my first time doing the January firearm season. After seeing the amount of entries, I will probably be taking the climber in so I'm not sitting ground level with all these guys walking around firing off slugs. Appears a bunch of people will be walking through woods, hopefully this will push some deer towards me. Good luck all!

You said it. Very frustrating to deal with that, although those people seem to dwindle as the season goes on. That being said, I’ve had hikers, motorbikes and quads push deer my way many times. That’s the only “good” part if you will. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can go out on stand-by after 8am now without a reservation. Also, after 8am you can go to whichever spot you want - don’t have to go to the spot in the pass they give you. So, not really sure what the point of the reservation system is if I can just go wherever after a certain time. Can’t wrap my head around it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a little rant about the weekend/holiday reservation system on Long Island (1C). As someone who is able to hunt some weekdays, I now fully understand why I don’t hunt weekends. The reservation system makes no sense. I called last Saturday to make a big game hunting reservation for today - I was the 3rd big game caller. I was under the impression that I would arrive at the check station this AM, park in the numbered spot, and be able to be the 3rd big game hunter to pick a spot - I could not have been more wrong. Upon arriving at the check station there was about 20-30 trucks already parked and waiting (check station opens 45mins before sunrise for big game hunters; 15mins for small game; this is a whole other argument I’ll skip for now). My number 3 spot was taken. Then I look up at the check-in window and there’s already a line of hunters. So, I did not end up being the 3rd big game hunter to pick a spot. What’s the point of calling to secure a numbered spot if it’s just first come first serve in the AM? My suggestion is they change this to the same procedure as the early out used for non-reservation days. Call the day before, secure your spot you want, pick up the parking pass that night, and be able to drive straight to your spot in the morning. Would make like much easier for both hunters and the check station. Sorry, rant over. Thanks for reading! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've been looking for a recipe for my venison shanks. Might just have to try this. Thanks for the recipe.

Wow. I knew he was sick, but thought I heard he was getting better. Sometimes you never know when your number is called. Love watching Jeopardy - it will never be the same.

Usually sound for me. If I catch them by sight first, they are far off or they came in silent and I just happened to wake up from my glorious nap or looked up from my phone.

I believe you are correct about Brookhaven State Park..I would double check. If you are a Suffolk resident, you can get the Suffolk County Park pass and hunt county park land - there's no reservation system for county parks. Also, the spots in Otis that are south of the LIE you don't need to reserve. If you don't have a 4x4, it can get tough back there somtimes.