76 replies to this topic

[Skarain]

So I have recently been exposed to bizare meats, no no, not to worry. I do not mean humans, I mean reptiles and amphibians.

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.

[rubbermittens]

Uh, You best go on the DEC web site, To the best of my knowledge, there is no snapping turtle shotgun season on long Island, You may end up with chrome bracelets and you may want to mention to your friend from georgia to leave his firearms at home...

[Skarain]

Well here is how its written on the DEC website

• 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 Season: July 15 through September 30
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.

[FULL METAL JACKET]

Wow... 5/day... I'm not sure I've seen 5 in my life bigger than 12"

I honestly would have thought they were protected

[cgeminski]

I have never seen one of them out of the water other than in the spring when the females are laying eggs. How are you planning on hunting them?

[Chief Brody]

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.

Edited by Chief Brody, July 04 2014 - 12:10 AM.

[Dan 0351]

So...in NYS you can shgotgun hunt turtles at 4 am....

Interesting......

[carguy110]

"Hi, my name is GB and I don't condone the hunting of unsexed turtles."

[boke]

could always just pick them up and then hit the point blank with the bow. I think a shotgun would be against most local ordinances. Although out of curiosity what size shot would one use? Also what kind of turtles are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

[gunsngolf]

Once you find a pond they are in that is also in a legal hunting area, wait till early morning. Just before sunrise. They come out of the water at night and make their way back to the ponds early in the morning. My weapon of choice would be a .410. You will surely need SS shot since they are in/near the water.

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.

[Uvbnaxed]

Why not just grab them? They're freaking turtles! Who the hell needs to shoot a turtle?!
(Side joke) "I like turtles!"

[heartlessmcfly]

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!

[AkunaMatata]

I see pretty big ones occasionally when out kayaking in secluded freshwater areas... In fact, I wouldn't even say occasionally, they're always pretty thick in the peconic. I would imagine that the best way to catch them would be by hand (wearing waders.) Shooting one of those guys with a bow seems like a good way to break an arrow.

[Aquabach]

Why not just grab them? They're freaking turtles! Who the hell needs to shoot a turtle?!
(Side joke) "I like turtles!"

Snapping turtles are the zombies of the turtle world.
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.

[Mad Russian]

Grabbing them by hand seems like a pretty good way to loose a finger or other body parts.
Those turtles are mean looking.

[Uvbnaxed]

Grabbing them by hand seems like a pretty good way to loose a finger or other body parts.
Those turtles are mean looking.

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.

[Aquabach]

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.

They coulda taken your arm off if they wanted to!

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[Uvbnaxed]

They coulda taken your arm off if they wanted to!

Holy crow! I got lucky!! You just saved my life!

[Reddobe]

Do it yourself youtube video on turtle hunting: Milton Crabapple is the best:

[brirodg]

I've been hunting since the minute I was old enough to legally participate. But I'm absolutely amazed that snapping turtle hunting on LI is actually a thing.

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?