Changes in store for New York’s Long Island spring turkey hunters

Stone Brook, N.Y.  –  Just like deer hunters on Long Island this past season, turkey hunters on state-managed lands in Suffolk County have a new reservation process. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said turkey hunting reservations are no longer being made according to a drawing number, but like deer hunters will now be made on a first-come, first-serve basis through Reserve America.

Reserve America will open for reservations at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, and will accept entries through midnight on Thursday, April 23, 2026. During that time, hunters will be limited to one initial reservation. Reservations will reopen on Sunday, April 26, at 9 a.m. and remain open for the remainder of the season. 

Hunters will be able to make same-day reservations up until 11:30 a.m. Hunters will be limited to making one reservation per day and cannot reserve multiple spots on the same date. Hunters will be able to make a reservation for the same locations that have always been available during the spring turkey season. 

The demand for spring turkey hunting on DEC-managed lands makes this necessary for hunters to follow specific access procedures to ensure equal hunting opportunities for all.

Like deer hunters, turkey hunters are also required to make an account on the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation “Campgrounds and Camping Reservations” webpage. It is noted that this is different from a general ReserveAmerica account typically used for camping reservations.

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.

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A reservation confirmation email and number will serve as a hunter’s daily access permit and parking pass. Hunters should print out the confirmation email and place it in a vehicle windshield during a hunt. All hunting party members (no more than three) must print this email or carry a digital copy with them when on the property. 

It is advised to take a screenshot or save a copy of a reservation confirmation on a phone in the event that you do not have service in the field. Once a reservation is made, it cannot be changed or cancelled.

DEC-Managed Lands in Suffolk County that are open for spring turkey season on Long Island include:

• Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest – Archery only, no reservation required;
• East Bartlett Pine Barrens State Forest – Archery only, no reservation required;
• Carmans River Pine Barrens State Forest – Archery only, no reservation required;
• Ridge Conservation Area – Archery only, no reservation required;
• Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest – Shotgun and archery, reservation required;
• Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Preserve – Shotgun and archery, reservation required;
• Henrys Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest – Shotgun and archery, reservation required.

Cooperative Hunting Areas include:

• Barcelona Neck Cooperative Hunting Area – Shotgun and archery, reservation required;
• David A. Sarnoff Cooperative Hunting Area – Shotgun and archery, reservation required;
• Otis Pike Preserve Cooperative Hunting Area – Shotgun and archery, reservation required;
• Kings Park Cooperative Hunting Area – Archery only, no reservation required;

Tidal Wetlands Properties (archery only, no reservation required) include:

• Fireplace Neck;
• Havens Point;
• Long Beach Bay. 

Properties listed as “no reservation required” can be accessed using the State Managed Land Access Permit.

DEC-managed lands open to shotgun turkey hunting will be closed to other users from two hours before sunrise until noon throughout the season.

In December, ahead of the popular January deer hunt on Long Island, DEC announced they were streamlining the reservation method to hunt on State-managed lands by going to the online system. Instead of requiring hunters to make an in-person reservation at the Ridge Hunter Check Station, hunters would complete their reservation through Reserve America.

Despite some preseason concerns, the changes for Long Island firearms deer season were generally well received by this year’s big game hunters in Suffolk County. Now turkey hunters will follow the same process.