Category Archives: Hunting

Hunting

Spring Turkey 2026: Philip DiMaria and Eric Oberg setting the pace

East Hampton Sportsman Alliance member Philip DiMaria harvested a turkey in the Northwest Woods Sunday morning.  DiMaria often hunts alongside fellow member Eric Oberg, and they may be the most consistently successful turkey hunters in the Alliance.  

DiMaria starts well before sunrise.  Coming all the way from Montauk, he was already set up by 4:30 a.m. to avoid spooking the flock off the roost. The birds were vocal, and flew down around 5:45 a.m.  Philip used a traditional box call to lure them,  and harvested a tom with a 65 yard shot before seven.  No decoy was used. Had he used one, he guesses he might have had a closer shot.

Preferring his undisclosed Northwest Woods spot to closer-to-home Culloden Point Preserve, he said, “I pick my spot to set up based on either evidence of scratching in the leaves, or where I may have heard gobbling on other hunts.”  He uses a turkey vest with a fold out seating pad, and just sets up against a tree in full camo.

Earlier in the season when the pair were hunting together, Eric harvested his own bird.  “We were both calling, but the birds came toward my call,” DiMaria recalled. “Just as they came into range for me to shoot, I took the safety off and they heard the click. Next thing you know, they ran past me over to Eric, and he took the shot.”

To date, there are no other reports of successful turkey hunts this spring by Alliance members. Perhaps everyone else is “sleeping in”?

Hunting

Abundant geese for 2026 hunts

We filled four pits over the course of the season, putting a lot of smiles on faces and meat in freezers. Three out of the four were limits+. These hunts are a thrill for new and veteran hunters alike and we hope to have at least this level of participation next year.

Friday after Thanksgiving. Limited out by 8AM. First blood ever for Levi
Sunrise warm up for a day filled with tall tales.
Vintage 10 gauge double trigger side by side gets the job done.
Tutelage
Goose breast pastrami in the making – slice it thin
Lots of meat per bird compared to duck
Livers and hearts – seared on a skillet. Literally the best part.
Legs – Confit
Education, Hunting, Wildlife

Beginners luck meets First Blood in the deer woods

The first deer hunt for 15 year old John-Paul O’Leary went well. So well that even if it were a Hallmark movie, most would dismiss it as unrealistic. Not cold, not early, sunny and in a comfortable European style deer stand at the edge of a Columbia County field of cut corn. Perhaps 15 minutes into the sit and sitting/looking the wrong way, a quick check over the shoulder and all we could see was antlers. A rut-swollen eight pointer, unwary and grazing broadside at 35 yards. What would not have appeared in the Hallmark version was half-panicked whispers of “huge buck” and the need to get turned around, set up, steadied and shot-ready “quickly.”

His shot was perfect – putting the deer right to ground for a quick, humane harvest.

The ritual blood-marking of the first kill for the young person is fun and does a good job of marking the occasion. More seriously, it makes tangible the responsibility, and messiness, that comes with taking a life.

He did a lot of the field dressing.
Blood ritual. Cultural appropriation?
No one out in the general public upstate batted an eye at the blooding.
The work begins – Prepping the heart and liver
Deer Liver ‘n Onions. “Good and good for you.”
Hunters lunch: Seared deer heart cheese steaks
Next stop Mattituck to turn him into entrees and a wall mount. To be continued…
Announcements, Education, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

DEC answers community questions at the March meeting

On March 31, two local officers of the DEC attended the meeting to explain their responsibilities and answer questions.

It was interesting to learn about their “typical workday,” as it turns out there is no such thing, since they are responsible to respond to calls at any hour. They are the first responders in the field.

They call upon the expertise and guidance of the respective DEC divisions such as wetlands, licensing and forest rangers.

There were a number of questions on fishing and hunting quotas, sizes and other related topics. In many cases, these guidelines are set by either the state or Federal Government and the role of the DEC is to enforce them.

Some good questions were asked about the local problems with phragmites which are prevalent in our local waters. The renewed presence of foxes even came up, they are being seen more in numerous places. We plan to make this an annual event and invite community participation.

Education, Events, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

DEC will be with us at the March 31 meeting

Bring your questions and suggestions as we discuss all topics with these fellow sportsmen.

Discussion will be driven by what Members care/ask about, but count on learning about at least these topics:

– Fishermen/boat captains always have comments on slots and limits and timing of the announcements.  

– How the state run spring turkey sites gone (e.g. Barcelona Neck).  Is that oversight still needed?

– There are areas of state land in Montauk such as Hither Hills that seem like more hunting should be allowed.

– There are areas of EH/MTK that seem in need of prescribed burns to avoid wildfires.  Are downed pine beetle trees a risk?

– Recreational lobstering topics.  

– Any examples of avian flu on waterfowl populations observed?

– Any chance of an increased bag limit on Canada geese?  Tons of them around.

– Any special insights on lack of ducks?

– Any examples anywhere of successful anti litter campaigns or enforcement?

– Non resident, comercial-looking, fishing/shellfishing in our waters.  What’s up with that?  

– Upstate, the duck and goose seasons are short and too early.  Tons of geese everywhere.   Does complaining/suggesting to DEC help in maybe making changes?

Please arrive early or on time, as we expect a big turnout and have a lot to cover. 

Education, Events, Hunting, Opinion

The annual LI Youth Hunters Ed Program is incredibly good.


DEC’s Hunter Education Program is offering a free two-day hands-on youth hunting safety course on April 12 and 13.  It is held from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on both days at the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club in Manorville.

Participants will be taught and supervised by a plethora of certified Hunter Education Instructors, including professional trainers, state game wardens, and senior Peconic River Sportsmen’s Club members.   This heavily resourced NY state program is leaps and bounds more valuable and meaningful than any online or local option.  Get  sense for it here.

Open to ages 12 to 16 who have not yet already completed Hunters Ed.  The class is limited to 30 participants.

Applications must be returned by March 24, 2025, 

Participants who successfully complete the program will receive their Hunter Education Training Certificate.  This certificate is required to purchase a hunting license, and is valid for life and in all states.

 Part of the “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2025/2/dec-announces-youth-conservation-program-dates
Education, Hunting, Nostalgia, Wildlife

January 2025 Waterfowl Report

As I reflect on the successes and challenges of the waterfowl season on the east end, one word comes to mind: Ice.

The pictures below capture the essence of our second half of the season quite well. The good news is highly localized birds, the bad news is lots of frozen real estate. If you have blinds pretty much anywhere, you can relate. The winners this month are the boat blind hunters. Sneakboxes remain my favorite for adaptability and invisibility. This year, boat hunting is a critical success factor since finding unfrozen launch ramps can usually be achieved. 

There is always open water somewhere, the question is, where? Three Mile Harbor and the main part of East Harbor/Accabonac by Louse Point remain accessible for launching via the Hands Creek ramp and Louse Point put-in (I call it that because it’s really more a hard packed  beach).

The ducks reported and actually seen by locals in-the-know and blind mounted trail cameras are the usual suspects: Black Ducks, Mallards, Widgeon, Screwdrivers (mergansers- called that due to their profile), Bufflehead and Broadbill. Sea ducks are around, but not what I’d call abundant: Long-tailed ducks, Scoter and Eider all on the big water.  In general, everyone with an opinion (which is 100% of waterfowlers) says that ducks are down and geese are strong, but localized. Avian influenza seems to be one theory, but it’s always multi-factorial. 

I spend an inordinate amount of time scouting, but the job got a bit easier via camera. I check Hamptons live cameras constantly, as well as the feed from my  Moultrie trail cameras. I’d like to see more public wildlife/waterfowl live cameras installed in East Hampton, but like everything, it’s a matter of money.

The high point of my season, besides building blinds, was our ESHA December goose hunt in Watermill with Duane Arnister, master guide.
If you haven’t hunted over “stuffers” (actual taxidermy geese), try it with him. It’s an experience that few will ever have. Over the last several decades, at roughly the rate of a dozen a season, he has built and preserved a colossal flock of stuffed birds which are lovingly managed and cared for like the waterfowl heirlooms that they are. I felt like I was a character from Eugene Connett’s epic waterfowling book, “Gunning the Atlantic Flyway.” Pick up a copy if you haven’t read it, it’s my waterfowling bible.

 
Feel free to share your stories, success and perspectives. This is just one obsessed man’s opinion.  The truth lies somewhere in the consensus, and I always want to learn and be held accountable.

Until next time, Happy Waterfowling.

 
Brace Krag

Waterfowl Chairman  
East Hampton Sportsmen’s Alliance