WMU 9A, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey
- Group
- Zone 9
- Area
- 466 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 3,571
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Deer, Turkey also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedWMU 9A covers the western Long Island corridor spanning Nassau County and the western edge of Suffolk County — one of the most densely populated suburban hunting zones in New York State. Deer populations are extremely high due to limited predation, fragmented suburban habitat, and restricted public hunting access, making antlerless harvest a DEC management priority. Hunting is restricted to archery and shotgun/muzzleloader only, with no rifles permitted anywhere on Long Island.
Low-relief glacial outwash plain and terminal moraine topography typical of western Long Island. Habitat is fragmented suburban woodlots, mixed oak-pine forest remnants, shrub edges, and isolated wetlands. The north shore features a more abrupt terrain drop to Long Island Sound; the south shore grades into salt marshes, barrier islands, and shallow bays. Deer concentrate heavily in residential edge habitat, woodlot corridors, and any contiguous forested parcels.
High to very high on all public parcels. Public land receives intense pressure during archery and January shotgun seasons given limited acreage and large local hunter population. Private land hunting is competitive and access is difficult to obtain. Nassau County public land hunting is essentially nonexistent.
No DMP quota in WMU 9A — hunters receive unlimited Deer Management Permits (DMPs) allowing additional antlerless deer harvest. DEC actively encourages antlerless harvest to address overabundant deer populations. Antlered Deer Tag may be used for either-sex deer in Suffolk County. September antlerless season (approx. Sept 13-21) allows firearms, crossbow, and vertical bow.
DEER: Archery season Oct 1 - Jan 31. Regular (shotgun/muzzleloader) season runs in January. September antlerless-only season approx. Sept 13-21 (firearms, crossbow, bow). No DMP quota — unlimited antlerless tags available. No rifles permitted on Long Island. TURKEY: Spring season statewide May 1-31 with turkey permit required. Fall season approximately late November through early December. Harvest must be reported within 48 hours. BEAR: No bear season exists for Long Island WMUs including 9A — bears are not present on Long Island. FIREARM RESTRICTION: It is illegal to use or carry any rifle for hunting anywhere on Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties).
Extremely high white-tailed deer densities make WMU 9A one of the most productive antlerless units in New York; hunters willing to access private suburban lots or the limited public parcels can fill multiple doe tags. No rifle hunting anywhere on Long Island — shotgun, muzzleloader, archery, and crossbow only. Spring turkey (May) and fall turkey (Nov) seasons are available. No bear season on Long Island.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 9A— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about WMU 9A.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: NYSDEC official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.