Hunting Licenses on Sale Now
Who needs a hunting license?
- Anyone 12 years and older (parental or guardian consent needed if under 16 years old)
NYS DEC website for Hunting Seasons(link)
Valid Dates of Annual Licenses/Privileges
- Annual hunting licenses and privileges are valid from September 1 through August 31 each year.
- The Harvest Information Program and Federal Duck Stamp is valid July 1 through June 30 annually.
License Types & Fees
Annual Hunting License (View residency qualifications)
With this license you can hunt big game and small game.
***This license is required before other privileges (i.e. bowhunting, muzzleloading & turkey permit) can be purchased.***
| Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
|---|---|
| $22 (ages 16-69) $5 (ages 70+) $5 (ages 12-15) | $100 (ages 16+) $5 (ages 12-15) (Note: It is not necessary to purchase a separate bear tag when buying a hunting license. Small game and big game hunting is now included in the annual hunting license for both residents and nonresidents.) |
Additional Annual Hunting Privileges/Permit/Stamps (View residency qualifications)
An annual hunting license (above) must be purchased before purchasing the following privileges/stamps.
| Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Needed For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowhunting Privilege | $15 (ages 16-69) No fee (ages 70+) $4 (ages 12-15) | $30 (ages 16+) $4 (ages 12-15) | To know when you need a privilege, permit or stamp, visit the Hunting Licenses/Privileges Needed page. |
| Muzzleloading Privilege | $15 (ages 14-69) No fee (ages 70+) | $30 (ages 14+) | |
| Turkey Permit | $10 (ages 12+) | $20 (ages 12+) | |
| Harvest Information Program | No fee (ages 12+) | No fee (must register in New York even if registered in another state) | |
| Federal Duck Stamp (link leaves DEC website) | $25 (ages 16+) | ||
| Deer Management Permit | $10 (ages 16+) No fee (ages 12-15) No fee (holders of lifetime sportsman licenses purchased prior to October 1, 2009) | Harvesting antlerless deer (antlers less than 3″ long) in select Wildlife Management Units. | |
Applying for DMPs- Deadline is October 1, 2023
What You Need to Know Before Applying
- All licensed hunters, aged 12 or older can apply for a DMP. Junior hunters aged 12-13 can only hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow in counties that have passed a local law authorizing such action.
- You can apply for up to two DMPs within the same Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) or two different WMUs. Both must be applied for at the same time. Find a WMU near you by viewing the written WMU boundary descriptions.
- If applying at a license sales agent, hunters who are selected will receive their tags immediately. If applying online or by phone, hunters who are selected must wait approximately three weeks to receive tags.
- Follow best practice and check your DMP before leaving the license issuing outlet to make sure it is for the correct WMU. If the clerk made an error, they can contact our DMP Hotline (1-866-472-4332) to get the error corrected.
- There is a $10 non-refundable application fee for all applicants, except for holders of Lifetime Sportsman licenses purchased prior to 9/30/2009, and Junior Hunters & Junior Bowhunters.
- Disabled Veterans who are residents of New York and who have a service-connected disability rated at 40% or greater will receive preference on DMPs. Annually, you must bring a letter from the Veteran’s Administration, dated in the current year, with your case number and your disability percentage. If you are claiming permanent disabled status, the letter must clearly state that the service-related disability is ‘permanent’.
- Landowners who own 50 or more contiguous acres of land within a WMU will receive preference on DMP selection. Annually, you must bring your tax map identification number and SWIS code (found on your tax bill) with you when you apply. Be sure to tell the license issuing agent PRIOR to applying that you are a landowner. Lessees do not qualify as landowners. A spouse of a landowner may receive landowner preference, but both spouses may not apply as a landowner for the same parcel of land.