Hikers warned deer-hunting season starts Monday

With deer-hunting season starting Monday, the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference is advising hikers to take precautions to avoid becoming unwitting prey.

Deer season runs until Jan. 31 for firearms. And small game hunting is allowed through Feb. 29. The hunting occurs on weekdays, the group noted, recommending that hikers stay on marked trails.

The conference added that hiking permits in Department of Environmental Conservation lands are not valid weekdays from Monday until Jan. 31. The sites affected are Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area, Otis Pike Preserve, Sarnoff Pine Barrens Preserve, Barcelona Neck, West Tiana, East Hampton Cooperative Area and Westhampton Management Area.

Photo: A deer in Heckscher State Park in East Islip. (June 15, 2011)