Licenses and permits can be purchased online at any of the DEC’s license issuing agents, or by phone at 866-933-2257. The only difference is the actual paper your license is printed on. That’s it. Back in the days when tags were printed on cardstock, they were just as susceptible to weather as the ones are now. There should really be no big deal with this transition away from waterproof printing medium.
Individuals should have the following items ready when buying a license:
Complete contact information (e.g., name, address, email address, telephone number).
If you are requesting that your license and/or tags be emailed, a valid email address is required.
DEC customer ID number (if applicable).
Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license or non-driver’s ID with a valid New York State address).
If purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card.
And if not already entered in DEC’s automated licensing system, individuals are required to provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases.
Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1-Aug. 31 each year, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase.
Additional information on the transition to plain paper licenses and how to properly tag your harvested deer, bear, or turkey using paper tags can be found on the DEC’s website by visiting https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting
There has also been a lot of discrepancy across all of the New York Hunting forums regarding the proper methodology in actually tagging your harvested game. This video link shows exactly what needs to be done per the DEC https://youtu.be/2y38Nw38IN0?si=rsuASL_B6hyU2Gw8.
Tags must be filled out upon harvest, just like it has always been, and physically affixed to the game animal once back to camp, or to any other means of transporting the animal. You do not need to affix the tag to a deer or bear prior to or while physically dragging it out of the woods. This has also always been the case, but somehow or another hunters are just not grasping this concept all of a sudden.
Also new this year, hunters are no longer required to wear a backtag while afield anywhere in New York State. Licenses must still be carried in the field, either a hard copy license or electronic license through the HuntFishNY mobile app will suffice.
DEER MANAGEMENT PERMITS (DMPS)
Deer Management Permits (DMPs), or tags for antlerless deer, are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1. DMPs are used to manage the deer population and are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the application period. Hunters need not rush to apply. The chances of DMP selection in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through license issuing agents, or by calling the DMP Hotline at 866-472-4332. This may be done online, as well. You will know right then and there if you receive a doe permit and will have the option of immediately printing it out.
HUNTFISHNY MOBILE APP
The DEC’s HuntFishNY app provides hunters and anglers with an easy way to display sporting licenses and privileges and view important hunting and fishing related information through the convenience of your smartphone.
In addition to providing instant mobile access to electronic versions of your sporting licenses and privileges, the app offers the ability to report game harvests immediately while afield even when not in cell service, as well as links to useful information like season date summaries, regulations guides, a DEC contact list, and much more. Download HuntFishNY from the Apple and Google Play stores.
In addition, while a recent law change gave the DEC the authority to accommodate electronic carcass tags for deer, bear, and turkey, this requires a regulatory change and electronic tagging will not be available for the 2024-25 license year. Physical tags are still required to be printed on plain paper and carried while afield.
23RD ANNUAL GSLFF “LATE SUMMER” CONTEST TO BE HELD
The Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation will host their 23rd annual “Late Summer” fishing derby next Saturday from 6 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cash prizes will be awarded in the categories of walleye, bass, pike, and trout. Entry is by pre-registration only and is $30 dollars and includes a 2025 GSLFF membership.
For updated results on contest day, call the contest hotline at 518-227-8298. Fish measuring (by length) is to take place at Sport Island Pub from 1-4 p.m. only. All decisions by judges are final. Applications are available online at www.gslff.com. Entries will be accepted at Sport Island Pub, Frank’s Gun Shop, Jim’s Bait Shop, Fuel ‘n’ Food, and Ross’s Bait Shop. All entries must be received by next Friday, either in the mail or at one of the locations listed above.
The mailing address is GSLFF P.O. Box 991 Northville, NY 12134.
For more Information, contact Brian Kedik at 518-469-8124 or Randy Gardinier at 518-848-7248.
