Click here for NYS courses for Hunting, Bowhunting and Trapping License

Undying Rumors.........

RUMOR#1: Muzzleloading hunters should purchase a muzzleloading stamp this year in order to be grand fathered in when mandatory muzzleloading training is required beginning next year.

RUMOR#1 UNTRUE: Muzzleloading training is part of the hunter education course and there are no plans for a separate, mandatory course.

RUMOR#2:  The deer season has been extended because of inadequate numbers of deer were taken during the regular season.

RUMOR#2 UNTRUE: The length of the deer season is set by law and cannot be extended without a change in law.

LICENSE FEES: (Alphabetical Order) 

Hunting License Year: October 1 through September 30

Sales Year: Mid August through October 1 - DMP Availability

2nd Round DMP: November 1 - First Come First Served     

Licensing Materials Distributed: Application/License, Guides.

The Big Three Issuing Criteria:

1. Training:

• Fishing – No training required

Everything else requires training:

• Hunting: small game, big game, muzzle loading requires a previous hunting license or hunter education certificate.
• Trapping: trapping or junior trapping requires a previous trapping license or trapper education course.
• Bow hunting: Bow hunting or junior archery requires both hunting and bow hunting training.

1. Residence – NYS/not NYS

• NYS residents are entitled to combination, junior, senior, free or individual resident licenses.
• DMV identification, or
• Affidavit
• Non-residents can purchase only individual non-resident licenses.
• Special stamps (bow hunting, muzzle loading and junior hunting) provide the same privileges as the same price to both residents and non-residents.

1. Age:

• MINORS: must purchase adult licenses when they reach age 16

1. Minors may fish without a license until age 16
2. Minors may NOT hunt without a license – eligible for junior licenses beginning at age 12 if trained.

• Junior Hunting – ages 12-15
• Junior Archery – ages 14-15

1. Minors may NOT trap without a license – eligible for junior trapping license at any age upon successful completion of trapper training course.

• SENIORS: become eligible for reduced fee licenses at age 65 – one senior stamp

1. If eligible to hunt, becomes a sportsman license.
2. If not eligible to hunt becomes a fishing license.
3. All other privileges cost full price and require regular stamps.

• AT AGE 70: applicants become eligible for a combination of senior and free licenses.

1. Applicants must purchase ONE senior stamp.

• If eligible to hunt, becomes a sportsman license.
• If not eligible to hunt, becomes a fishing license.

1. All other privileges are free if trained. A FREE stamp will be issued for each additional privilege and placed in the free stamp area of hunting license. (i.e. Bowhunting, Muzzeloading)

All applicants must show proof of residency. One of the following requirements must be met in order to be issued a resident license:

• A New York State Drivers License or vehicle registration.
• A New York State Motor Vehicle Non-Driver Identification Card
• One of the following items in addition to an affidavit properly sworn and executed by applicant.
• Bank Statement
• W-2 Income Tax Form
• Utility Bill
• Voter Registration Card
• Major Credit Card Bill.

"Residency" – is defined as the place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home and to which such person wherever temporarily located, always intends to return, evidence of which shall include that such person votes or is registered to vote in such place in elections for any pubic office other than school board, unless such person is under the age of 18 in which case the resident of such person’s parent or legal guardian shall be deemed such person’s residence. Being a property owner does not constitute residency. A previous year’s resident license is not proof of residency.

NYS DEC Regional Office – for Town of Kendall, Orleans County:
6274 East Avon-Lima Road
Avon, NY 14414-9519
716-226-2466

LIFETIME SPORTING LICENSES- 

Lifetime Sporting Licenses are sold only at:

NYS DEC License Sales Office
50 Wolf Road
Room 151
Albany, NY 12233-4790

Write or call for more information – 518-457-3521

To get a new License, you need….

Either proof that you had a previous license (not back tags) for that activity from any state or Country*.

*Except for BOWHUNTING, you must have a New York Archery Stamp or License issued in 1980 or later.

OR proof that you passed the required course in Hunter Education, Bowhunter Education, or Trapper Education in any state or Canadian Province.

DON’T call DEC – they do not have records of old licenses.

DO look again in your home

DO contact the agent who sold you your last license to find out if a record of that sale was kept.

• If they have the record, they can issue a license.
• If they no longer issue licenses, have them call DEC at 518-457-3521 for instructions.

Course Certificates for Hunter Education, Bowhunter Education or Trapper Education

CALL the DEC Sportsman Education office toll free – 1-888-HUNT-ED2

Give your name and birth date. DEC has records of courses after 1980.

OR, for recent courses and courses before 1980, contact your hunter/bowhunter/trapper education instructors to see if they have a records of your course.

If you don’t have a license or a certificate, you must take a required course.

Call toll-free 1-888-HUNT-ED2. (1-888-486-8332)

LIFETIME LICENSES must contact the DEC License Sales Office in Albany at 518-457-3521 for any and all replacement items.

PASS ON THE HUNTING TRADITION

Teach on of the these courses:
Hunter Education
Bowhunter Education
Trapper Education
Waterfowl ID.

INSTRUCTORS NEEDED!
What it Takes:

• Application from DEC to teach on of the 4 courses

• Minimum age 18 years

• At least three years experience hunting, etc.

• Communicate well, especially with young people

Your obligations:

• Complete free instructor training, including apprenticeship with experienced instructors.

• Teach at least one course per year

• Attend a refresher course every two years.

YOUR REWARDS.....Be a better communicator, better hunter, and know you make a difference.

MEN, WOMEN AND COUPLES,  for applications and more info...........Call DEC

Toll Free   1-888-HUNT-ED2

Website - look under "Outdoors & Natural Resources" and click on "Hunting/Fish/Trap"

Visit DEC's Website - Click Here

 

WHY DO SENIORS OVER 70 PAY $5.00 FOR A LICENSE WHICH USED TO BE FREE?

• When license privileges are granted free of charge, DEC received NO Federal Aid
• Federal Aide in Fish and Wildlife Restoration is based upon the number of the state's licensed anglers and hunters.
• By asking seniors 70 and older to buy $5.00 licenses, they could be counted as licensed anglers and hunters and, thereby, making the state eligible for more Federal Aid.
• In license year 1991-92, senior license sales nearly doubled and the additional sales generated about $220,000 more in state license sales and an additional $605,000 in Federal Aid.  That additional $825,000 was required by law to be spent on fish and wildlife programs.
• Today the number of senior sportsmen has grown to 107,000.  They can be proud that their participation in the program they enjoy contributes $850,000 in license fees and nearly 1.5 million in Federal Aid.

Region 8 - Regional Office for this area

AVON - 716-226-2466