Duck hunting season on Long Island Sound started on Saturday, December 9th and runs until January 28th. On Saturday, officers from the City of Rye Police Marine Unit and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police were out at sunrise checking waterfowl hunters on Long Island Sound.
The two police agencies conducted checks on multiple vessels to ensure that all parties were complying with the appropriate regulations. Rye PD reported one minor violation and issued a verbal warning. Local New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police operated out of the Rye marina until 2022 when they moved to Mamaroneck due to issues with access into Milton Harbor at low tide.
Hunters are permitted to engage in hunting activities as long as they are following the Department of Environmental Conservation regulations, some of which are:
- Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset;
- Hunting from a vessel is permitted as long as the vessel’s motor is off and the vessel must have stopped moving;
- Shotguns cannot hold more than three shells;
- Hunters must make reasonable efforts to retrieve all killed or crippled birds;
- All occupants must wear a PFD while underway on any vessel under 21 feet in length between November 1st and May 1st.
See a full list of Department of Environmental Conservation’s rules and regulations. In an effort to avoid conflicts between hunters and land owners New York State DEC has a website detailing the roles and responsibilities of both hunters and landowners.
The City of Rye Police Department will continue to conduct checks throughout the remainder of the season. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Marine Unit at (914) 481- 8909 or on Marine VHF Channel 16.
