Conditions for Use of NYSDEC Managed Lands in Suffolk County

Conditions for NYSDEC Managed Lands Access Permit for Recreational Use of NYSDEC Managed Lands in Suffolk County

DEC has specific regulations for using state lands in Suffolk County, which are described below. Recreational activities on most DEC-owned lands on Long Island require an individual to have a NYS DEC - Managed Land Access Permit. For more information about lands open to hunting on Long Island please refer to Long Island Public Hunting Areas. Hunting on some of these areas at certain times of the year requires a daily access permit; go to Public Hunting Opportunities on Long Island for information on obtaining daily access permits. An access permit is not required for use of DEC's:

• Forge Pond Fishing Access Site
• Oyster Bay Western Waterfront Site
• Moriches Bay Marine Waterway Access Site
• Mattituck Creek Waterway Access Site

The following conditions apply to the access permit and will be strictly enforced:

NYSDEC-Managed Lands Individual Access Permit

1. Access permits are free and are valid for 3 years.
2. The NYSDEC Managed Lands Access Permit must be carried while you are on the property and a copy of the Managed Lands Parking Permit must be visible on the dashboard or your vehicle while you are on the property.
3. Permits are required for anyone 12 years old or older.
4. Permit hours:
   1. Hunters: 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.
   2. Night raccoon and fox hunting: sunset to sunrise
   3. All other users: Sunrise to Sunset
5. NYSDEC Managed Lands Access Permits are not valid for any other activity during the January firearms deer season or until noon each day of the Spring Turkey Season on properties/parking areas where firearms deer or turkey hunting is permitted. During these seasons, archery deer, archery turkey, and waterfowl hunting may be permitted at designated areas with a NYSDEC Managed Land Access Permit. Please refer to the Long Island Public Hunting Areas page for a listing of properties open to firearms hunting.
6. All vehicles must be parked in appropriate designated parking areas with vehicle pass visible through the windshield. Individually numbered parking sites are to be used only by hunters.
7. Hunters may be present on all properties except the Edgewood Area.
8. Individuals may not interfere with the permitted activities of organized groups.
9. Operation and use of motor vehicles on the properties are prohibited, unless specifically authorized by special permit. Use of E-bikes on the properties is prohibited.
10. Fires of any type are prohibited.
11. Construction of permanent blinds, tree stands, or other structures is prohibited.
12. Trap, skeet and other target shooting are prohibited.
13. Littering and other disposal of waste materials, including spent shells and cigarette butts, are prohibited.
14. Permit holders must obey all posted notices, signs, printed material and lawful instructions from NYSDEC staff.
15. Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their dogs do not frighten, disturb, or harm people or wildlife and must remove dog droppings from trails.
16. Overnight camping is prohibited.

Group and Special Use Permits

1. A Temporary Revocable Permit (TRP) is required for organized group activities, and activities other than those covered by an individual NYSDEC Managed Lands Access Permit as listed above.
2. Contact the regional NYSDEC Forestry office for more information about TRPs and the fee and liability insurance requirements.

Additional Rules for Hikers

1. Hiking is not permitted on properties open to firearms deer hunting during the January firearms deer-hunting season which begins on the first Sunday in January and continues until January 31. Hiking is also not permitted before noon on properties open to firearm turkey hunting during the spring turkey season which runs from May 1 to May 31.

Additional Rules for Horseback Riders

1. Horseback riding is permitted on Rocky Point, Westhampton, and Otis Pike only.
2. Horseback riding is not permitted at Rocky Point or Otis Pike Preserve November 1st through January 31st and before noon from May 1 to May 31.
3. Horseback riding is not permitted at Westhampton during the days of the January firearms season and before noon from May 1 to May 31.
4. Horseback riding is allowed only on marked horse trails, except on the Otis Pike Preserve where only established roads may be used.
5. Horseback riders must yield to official vehicles and equipment on roads and trails.

Additional Rules for Bicyclists

1. Bicycling is permitted on Rocky Point from April 1 through April 30; May 1 through May 31, after noon only; and June 1 though October 31.
2. Bicycling is permitted on Otis Pike from April 1 through April 30; May 1 through May 31, after noon only; and June 1 through October 31 except on Eastport section where it is permitted April 1st through April 30; May 1 through May 31, after noon only; and June 1 through December 31, or as otherwise posted.
3. Bicycling is permitted year-round on DEC's Calverton and Edgewood properties.
4. Bicycling is allowed only on marked bicycling trails or on established roads.
5. Trails remain closed as late as April 1 due to excessive impacts from the late winter freeze and thaw cycles.
6. Cyclists must wear hard-shell helmets and eye protection and shall yield to official vehicles and equipment, horseback riders, and hikers.
7. Use of E-bikes on DEC properties is prohibited.

Additional Rules for Trappers

1. Trappers shall not park at numbered parking areas while trapping.
2. No conibear or other body gripping traps may be set on land.
3. No upland trap sets shall be operational on weekends or holidays between November 1 and January 31. Traps must be sprung or removed by sunset on days preceding weekend or holidays.
4. Trapping is not permitted on Cooperative Hunting Areas, Ridge Conservation Area, Edgewood Preserve, Calverton, Deep Pond Cooperative, or Kings Park.

Additional Rules for Dog Trainers

Please refer to the brochure Dog training on NYSDEC Managed Lands in Suffolk County for complete dog training regulations.

1. No dog trainer, or any person in his company, may possess afield a firearm loaded with live ammunition, during the training of a dog.
2. No firearms may be used in any areas posted as "Restricted - No Hunting."
3. No firearms may be used on any NYSDEC-Managed Lands from April 17th through August 31st, except on the Otis Pike Preserve.
4. No firearms may be used on the Calverton, Edgewood, Kings Park Property, or Ridge Environmental Conservation Area at any time.
5. All prohibitions related to firearms apply to starter pistols and blank ammunition.
6. Unleashed, uncontrolled dogs are prohibited.
7. Dog training is not permitted on Peconic River Area, Calverton, Westhampton, East Hampton Cooperative Area, Deep Pond, the tidal wetlands areas, and in areas scheduled for periodic rest from all activities.

Additional Rules for Hunters

1. At certain times access to some properties requires advance reservations and daily permits. Please refer to the Hunting on Long Island webpage for an overview of hunting procedures and opportunities.
2. Check the Hunting & Trapping Regulations guide for season dates and bag limits. See area maps and information sheets for area use regulations.
3. Maximum party size for small-game hunting is three individuals with no more than two dogs afield. Maximum party size for big-game hunting is two individuals.

Additional Rules for Fishermen

1. Except for Deep Pond Cooperative Fishing Area (see below), no special access rules apply to permit holding anglers using the DEC managed lands.
2. All NYS fishing regulations apply to these properties.
3. Deep Pond access is through a cooperative agreement between the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the NYSDEC.

Directions: Call 631-444-0280 for a copy of the directions and rules of use.

Restrictions: Public fishing is permitted during the period of September 15 to June 15 from sunrise to sunset Monday through Thursday and sunrise to 3 p.m. on Fridays. Entry to Deep Pond is for fishing only.

Deep Pond is located in an active Boy Scout camp. Consequently, access is limited. The following special regulations apply, along with those noted above.

1. Entry to Deep Pond is for fishing only.
2. Public fishing is permitted during the period of September 15 to June 15.
3. Access is limited to sunrise to sunset Monday through Thursday and sunrise to 3 p.m. on Fridays.
4. Anglers must park in designated spots.
5. Boats and electric motors are permitted, but it is a 300-yard carry to the water.
6. Gas motors are prohibited.
7. Anglers must sign in and out at the Angler Sign-in Station prior to and after fishing.

Canoeing

The only areas that have suitable water for canoeing are the Otis Pike Preserve and some of the Tidal Wetlands area.

1. Canoeing or other boating is permitted on the Peconic River below Connecticut Avenue and in Tidal Wetlands.
2. Canoeing or other boating for fishing is permitted in all Otis Pike ponds, except during January, provided the boater is willing to carry their boat from the designated parking area to the pond.

Boating

1. Only electric powered mechanical vessels and human powered vessels maybe used on land locked water, the Peconic River below Connecticut Avenue and in Tidal Wetlands.
2. Electric powered mechanical vessels and human powered vessels may be used in all land locked waters and on the Peconic River below Connecticut Avenue, except during January.

Falconry

1. Falconry is permitted on Edgewood during the open small game season.
2. Falconry is permitted on Eastport during the small game season except during November, December, and January.
3. Falconry is permitted on Ridge Conservation area from January 1 through the end of the small game season.

• Contact for this Page
• NYSDEC
  Bureau of Wildlife
  SUNY at Stony Brook
  50 Circle Road
  Stony Brook, New York 11790
  631-444-0310
  
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