Hunters can expect oldsquaws, surf scoters, black scoters, white-winged scoters and eiders. Generally, oldsquaws and scoters are the most common species.

To reach Cedar Point County Park, take Montauk Highway east to Stephen Hands Path in East Hampton. Turn north and continue to Old Northwest Road. Turn right onto Northwest Road. Bear left and continue to Alewive Brook Road. The park entrance is about 100 yards down the road.

For more information, contact the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, P.O. Box 144, Montauk Highway, West Sayville, NY 11796; call (631) 854-4949; or e-mail them at scparks@suffolkcountyny.gov.

Hunting from shore is uncommon on Long Island because of shoreline access problems. Sea ducks do not often come close enough to shore for good hunting, or hunting might not be allowed in areas where they congregate.

Wasilco recommended bays along the south shore for oldsquaws, including Great South Bay, Moriches Bay and Shinnecock Bay. Good hunting may be found from Heckscher State Park to Great South Bay.

"There's a fair number of other launches and ramps that are open to the public," he noted. "Many of the ramps in winter don't get as much use, so there's no fee in the winter."

Heckscher State Park is 50 miles from Manhattan on the south shore of Long Island in Suffolk County. Take the Southern State Parkway to the park entrance.

For park information, contact the Heckscher State Park office, P.O. Box 160, East Islip NY 11730; or call (631) 581-2100.

The DEC has several areas that are open to hunting from shore; however, dogs or boats are necessary to retrieve ducks, and boats are generally necessary to reach the better sea duck hunting.

Hunting from shore is generally focused on puddle ducks or bay ducks, but hunters may find some sea ducks, particularly oldsquaws.

A free, three-year permit is required to use these areas. Permits are available from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ATTN: Sporting Licenses, SUNY Building 40, Stony Brook, NY 11790-2356.

There are DEC-maintained boat ramps at the U.S. Coast Guard Station at East Moriches, along county Route 21 north of the Long Island Expressway, Exit 67, off South River Road east from Edwards Avenue at Calverton and along Route 25 at Riverhead.

Two sections of Fire Island National Seashore near Smith's Point and near Fire Island Inlet are open to waterfowl hunting. This area is managed by the National Park Service. Permits must be obtained in person starting about a week before the hunting season opens.

For more information, contact the Smith's Point Station at (631) 281-3010; or Fire Island National Seashore Headquarters, 120 Laurel Street, Patchogue, NY 11772; or call (631) 289-4810.

Boats may be launched at Captree State Park for access to the waters off Fire Island. The park is 48 miles from Manhattan via the Southern State Parkway and the Robert Moses Causeway at Exit 40. Proceed south from there to the park.

For park information, contact the Captree State Park office, Box 247, Babylon, NY 11702; or call (631) 669-0449.

SAFETY FIRST
Before setting out on your first sea duck hunting venture, Wasilco offered the following advice:

"I would definitely recommend that hunters not go out alone. Have plenty of anchors and anchor rope. Generally, hunting is in water that is 20 to 50 feet deep. It can get rough fast."

For more information about hunting sea ducks in New York, contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 1, SUNY Building 40, Stony Brook, New York 11790; or call (631) 444-0345.

For more about travel in New York, contact the New York State Division of Tourism (North America Group Travel), Empire State Development, Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level, Room 110, Albany, NY 12223; or call (800) CAL-LNYS, Ext. 47624.