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A unique hunting question. Long island snapping turtle?
#1
Posted July 03 2014 - 10:58 PM
I have a friend coming up from the backwoods of Georiga for the summer, and is used to these kind of things. So I was hoping to maybe go on a hike/hunting trip along the freshwaters of long island to look for some snapping turtle, to harvest and then eat.
Heres the question.
I never have hunted with a shotgun on long island. How does that work? Is it complicated and regulation heavy? On the DEC website it says "A hunting license is required to take snapping turtles. The only legal implement for taking snapping turtles is a firearm or a bow" (http://www.dec.ny.go...door/31339.html)
My second concern is how the heck do you even hit a turtle with a shotgun, let alone a bow. But I'll cross that bridge when I have to.
Otherwise, if long island is a no-go, I suppose I can take a drive upstate.
Thanks for any input you can give.
# Advertisement
Posted A minute ago
#2
Posted July 03 2014 - 11:01 PM
#3
Posted July 03 2014 - 11:22 PM
- A hunting license is required to take snapping turtles. The only legal implement for taking snapping turtles is a firearm or a bow.
- If you choose to eat snapping turtles, you should carefully trim all fat and discard fat, liver, and eggs prior to cooking to reduce exposure to contaminants. For information on this health advisory, call 1-800-458-1158 or visit the New York State Department of Health website in the right column.
Open Area: Statewide
Size Limit: The upper shell (carapace) must measure 12 inches or longer in a straight line.
Daily Bag: 5
Season Bag: 30
Hunting Hours: Any time of the day or night.
My apologies for the formatting. I copy/pasted
It does say statewide. So I assume that means Long Island. Though I would call regardless.
Edit: And yes, I explained to my friend that up here...things are different.
#4
Posted July 03 2014 - 11:32 PM
I honestly would have thought they were protected
#5
Posted July 03 2014 - 11:48 PM
#6
Posted July 03 2014 - 11:58 PM
Edited by Chief Brody, July 04 2014 - 12:10 AM.
- NRATC53, Myrcinus and General.rr like this
#7
Posted July 04 2014 - 12:33 AM

Interesting......
#9
Posted July 04 2014 - 01:40 AM
- John L, Destro and The Idiocracy like this
#10
Posted July 04 2014 - 05:41 AM
I would make sure that you are in a legal, state owned land. You best bet is to contact the DEC to verify once you find a spot you are interested in.
Edited by gunsngolf, July 04 2014 - 05:42 AM.
- NRATC53 and Myrcinus like this
#12
Posted July 04 2014 - 05:56 AM
There are some turtles that are definitely over 12" in the pond at Hecksher Park in Huntington. Might not be the best place to go for a stroll with your 12-gauge, though.
Leave my park alone!
- Chief Brody and Sheeple like this
#13
Posted July 04 2014 - 06:08 AM
#14
Posted July 04 2014 - 06:14 AM
Snapping turtles are the zombies of the turtle world.Why not just grab them? They're freaking turtles! Who the hell needs to shoot a turtle?!
(Side joke) "I like turtles!"
They are nasty mean creatures. They can't pull their head into their shell like non-zombie turtles. That's why they snap.
They have long necks and can reach back pretty far so if you grab one they just might rip your entire arm right off!
Okay, maybe not your entire arm.
- NRATC53, Lazygent and Destro like this
#16
Posted July 04 2014 - 06:19 AM
gotta grab the tail, or the shell by the tail. While trying to not get your hands cut up by thier nails/claws. I've picked a few off the road over the years to prevent them from getting run over. It's always interesting trying to handle them safely.Grabbing them by hand seems like a pretty good way to loose a finger or other body parts.
Those turtles are mean looking.
- NRATC53, Lazygent, Mad Russian and 1 other like this
#17
Posted July 04 2014 - 06:23 AM
They coulda taken your arm off if they wanted to!gotta grab the tail, or the shell by the tail. While trying to not get your hands cut up by thier nails/claws. I've picked a few off the road over the years to prevent them from getting run over. It's always interesting trying to handle them safely.
- Mad Russian likes this
#18
Posted July 04 2014 - 06:39 AM
Holy crow! I got lucky!! You just saved my life!They coulda taken your arm off if they wanted to!

#19
Posted July 04 2014 - 06:49 AM
- ben5555 and pelemoss like this
#20
Posted July 04 2014 - 07:50 AM
And how does a size limit work when hunting with a shotgun? If it measures 11-1/2" after you've removed it's head with with an ounce of lead, what do you do? It's a little late to throw it back.
I know that the three point rule is tough to deal with for deer in some areas upstate, but other than that are there any other hunting regs that are based on a measurement?
- BLAMMO likes this
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: unique, hunting, question, long, island, snapping, turtle
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