Rye Police Alert on Migratory Bird Hunting Season

RYE, NY (November 20, 2025) — The City of Rye Police Department advised residents Thursday that the New York State Migratory Game Bird season on Long Island Sound is open from Nov. 22 through Nov. 30 and from Dec. 6 through Jan. 25, 2026.

Hunters are permitted to engage in hunting activities as long as they abide by the Department of Environmental Conservation hunting regulations, which include shooting hours of one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Hunters may occupy blinds or vessels prior to one half hour before sunrise but may not discharge a firearm.

Hunters cannot discharge a firearm if there is a person, dwelling or public structure within 500 feet in the direction they are shooting.

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.

All shot used must be non-toxic and approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

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 Nov. 1 and May 1.

The City of Rye Police Department will be conducting checks of hunters throughout the season.

For complaints, questions or concerns, contact the City of Rye Police Department Marine Unit at (914) 967-1234 or on Marine VHF Channel 16.

For a full list of Department of Environmental Conservation’s rules and regulations, visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/migratory-game-bird/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: https://www.dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/regulations/avoiding-conflicts-between-hunters-property-owners.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.