Shooters Island - Definition

The eastern end of Shooters Island (background, forested) as seen from the waterfront of Staten Island

Shooters Island is a small uninhabited island at the southern end of Newark Bay, along the north shore of Staten Island. The boundary between the states of New York and New Jersey runs through the island, with a small portion on the north end of the island belonging to the state of New Jersey and the rest being part of the borough of Staten Island in New York City.

The island was essentially made by infill from early dredging of Newark Bay in the 19th century. It served as bird sanctuary and hunting preserve, and was visited by Theodore Roosevelt, who hunted there. Unmaintained during much of the later 20th century, the island has begun to disintegrate into Newark Bay. The island, as well as decayed remnants of old piers, are visible from the motorists passing on the Bayonne Bridge between Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey.